Future of safe regional air travel in Torres Strait touches down with Horizon Airways & Australia's first P2012 STOL

A historic milestone for Australian aviation - Queensland-based Horizon Airways introduces country’s first Tecnam P2012 STOL aircraft to its fleet. Operating since 1994, Horizon Airways has been a lifeline for communities across Central, Western, and Northern Queensland. The introduction of this purpose-built aircraft will revolutionize regional air travel in the Torres Strait and Cape communities, replacing an aging fleet of 1970s-era aircraft with state-of-the-art aviation technology.

The unique and pristine Torres Strait environment requires exceptional operational capabilities. The Tecnam P2012 STOL offers unprecedented short runway performance, giving Horizon Airways the ability to reliably service outer island communities—including Mabuiag, Darnley, and Murray Islands, which are home to some of Australia’s shortest commercial airstrips. For the first time, these Northern communities will benefit from the safety and peace of mind of modern, twin-engine operations. Passengers will also experience a dramatic upgrade in travel quality, with a spacious, air-conditioned cabin featuring nine ergonomic passenger seats.

Ed Morrison, CEO of Horizon Airways commented: “With the purchase of the Tecnam P2012 STOL, the future of regional air travel across the Torres Strait and Cape communities has begun. This first-of-its-kind aircraft in Australia has been purpose-built to meet the unique demands of our region and deliver a level of capability unlike anything currently operating in the market. Operating from Horn Island, the Tecnam P2012 STOL will allow us to provide safer, more reliable access throughout the Torres Strait and Northern Cape communities, while offering modern comfort for passengers travelling across some of Australia’s most remote locations. Its outstanding short runway performance gives us the ability to service outer island communities […] while also providing nine air-conditioned passenger seats and the latest in modern aviation safety technology. We believe this aircraft represents a major step forward for regional aviation in Northern Australia and for the communities that rely on these essential services every day.”

Francesco Sferra, Tecnam P2012 Sales and Special Missions Manager stated: “The P2012 STOL was engineered exactly for this kind of critical mission. Bringing modern safety, twin-engine reliability, and premium comfort to the world’s most challenging commercial runways is what this aircraft does best. We are incredibly proud to partner with Horizon Airways to introduce this game-changing aircraft to Australia. The Torres Strait is a beautiful but demanding environment, and the P2012 STOL is the perfect platform to ensure these vital island communities stay safely and efficiently connected.”

Michael Loccisano Hallmarc Aviation Director – CEO said: “Since conducting our first demonstration tours across Australia in 2022, Hallmarc Aviation has seen strong and growing demand for the Tecnam P2012 platform, with its versatility and robustness proving ideally suited to Australian operating conditions. The introduction of the P2012 STOL with Horizon Airways marks an important milestone, delivering enhanced short-field performance that is critical for many regional and remote applications. We are proud to support Horizon Airways with the arrival of the first P2012 STOL in Australia and look forward to its role in strengthening regional connectivity and supporting essential aviation services across the country.”
For Horizon Airways, the decision to choose Tecnam was driven by a shared commitment to operational excellence. By partnering with Tecnam, Horizon Airways secures not only a modern aircraft but also the strong backup support, fast, and reliable service necessary to maintain operations in remote environments.