what should it cost for charters BNE/MOV/BNE ?

Have been asked by a large building company in OZ to get some rough costings (before they put it out to tender) for a series of charter flights over BNE/MOV/BNE which appears to be about 485 miles (688kms) a similar distance to BNE/SYD but without the SYD congestion.

MOV (Moranbah) is a mining town in central Queensland.

Building co. want to move around 70 trademen, based in BNE, 4 times a week for around 12 months, probably a total of 208 return flights with a possible extension, if work not completed in that time, or more similar work or both.

They don’t care if a small jet or turbo prop, although they realise the slower turbo prop will probably be cheaper.

After asking 4 operators here, have only got 1 reply with a cost, which is surprising as mining is supposed to be slowing down.

Building company have also asked for price indiciations, on basis that they want rough numbers now, before tender put out. They have said, those who reply now, will be looked at favourably when tender decision made.

Price of AUD$28K per return seems a little high, especially as Qantaslink operates up to 6 scheduled flights a day using mostly Dash 8-400’s & -300’s with fares from around $150 one way.

It seems apart from FIFO charters, many miners & mining company employees, use scheduled QF services (obviously mines but blocks of seats upfront).

Anyone have any suggestions ?

One suggestion was to bring in an aircraft from overseas & put it on an Australian AOC, but that all seems too difficult.