Fly private between Cairns and Kowanyama from US$8,000 for a very light jet (Embraer Phenom 100EV). Get an instant quote.
Private jet charter from Cairns (CNS) to Kowanyama (KWM), and from Kowanyama (KWM) back to Cairns (CNS).
The straight-line distance between Cairns and Kowanyama is about 454 km (282 miles), or 245 nautical miles.
From A$12,000 · Reply within the hour · No obligation
Expect US$8,000 – US$15,500 for a one-way charter between Cairns and Kowanyama, depending on the aircraft — a very light jet sits at the lower end, larger jets above. Pets are welcome in-cabin on every option.
Efficient for short hops with two to four passengers. With seating for 4-6, it balances cabin comfort against running cost.
The popular choice for this distance — strong value and cabin comfort. With seating for 6-8, it balances cabin comfort against running cost.
Short-runway specialist — ideal for remote airstrips and island hops. It seats 6-9 and is a frequent choice on sectors of this length.
| Category | Outbound | Return (±10% wind) | From (AUD) | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Very Light Jet · rec. | 1h 02m | 56 min – 1h 08m | A$15,000 | 4-6 |
| Light Jet | 59 min | 53 min – 1h 05m | A$17,000 | 6-8 |
| Turboprop | 1h 18m | 1h 10m – 1h 26m | A$12,000 | 6-9 |
| Aircraft | Flight time | Cost range (AUD) | Passengers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Embraer Phenom 100EV | 1h 02m | A$15,000 – A$21,000 (~US$9,500 – US$13,500) | 4-6 |
| Cessna Citation M2 | 1h 00m | A$16,000 – A$23,000 (~US$10,500 – US$15,000) | 4-6 |
| HondaJet Elite II | 59 min | A$18,000 – A$24,000 (~US$11,500 – US$16,000) | 4-6 |
| Aircraft | Flight time | Cost range (AUD) | Passengers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cessna Citation CJ3+ | 59 min | A$17,000 – A$24,000 (~US$11,000 – US$15,500) | 6-8 |
| Embraer Phenom 300E | 58 min | A$18,000 – A$26,000 (~US$12,000 – US$17,000) | 6-8 |
| Learjet 75 Liberty | 56 min | A$20,000 – A$28,000 (~US$13,000 – US$18,500) | 6-8 |
| Aircraft | Flight time | Cost range (AUD) | Passengers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pilatus PC-12 NGX | 1h 18m | A$12,000 – A$17,000 (~US$8,000 – US$11,000) | 6-9 |
| King Air 350 | 1h 14m | A$14,000 – A$18,000 (~US$9,000 – US$12,000) | 8-11 |
Same aircraft, same route — return pricing is symmetric; flight times can vary about ±10% with wind direction.
Guide prices are one-way estimates incl. positioning; taxes/handling extra. Round-trip and one-way both available. Currency conversion is approximate.
Charter pricing on Cairns–Kowanyama moves with route distance, winds, fuel costs at both ends, and airport charges at origin and destination. We lock in a firm, all-in figure once we match your dates to available aircraft.
You can fly to or from any of these airports at each end; we match the most convenient to your trip:
Cairns, Australia: Cairns International Airport.
Kowanyama, Australia: Kowanyama Airport.
| Cairns International Airport | Kowanyama Airport | |
|---|---|---|
| Code | YBCS / CNS | YKOW / KWM |
| Longest hard runway | 10,489 ft | 4,528 ft |
| Surface | Asphalt | Asphalt |
| Field elevation | 10 ft | 35 ft |
The shorter runway on this pairing is 4,528 ft at Kowanyama Airport, which rules out the largest cabins regardless of range.
| Aircraft | Runway | Range | On this route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pilatus PC-12 NGX Turboprop |
1,500 ft 3,028 ft spare |
1,800 km 1,232 km spare after reserves |
Non-stop |
| King Air 350 Turboprop |
2,000 ft 2,528 ft spare |
2,700 km 2,132 km spare after reserves |
Non-stop |
| Embraer Phenom 100EV Very Light Jet |
3,200 ft 1,328 ft spare |
2,180 km 1,612 km spare after reserves |
Non-stop |
| Cessna Citation M2 Very Light Jet |
2,900 ft 1,628 ft spare |
2,410 km 1,842 km spare after reserves |
Non-stop |
| King Air 250 Turboprop |
3,000 ft 1,528 ft spare |
2,900 km 2,332 km spare after reserves |
Non-stop |
| Cessna Caravan 208B Short-Field Turboprop |
1,500 ft 3,028 ft spare |
1,980 km 1,412 km spare after reserves |
Non-stop |
| De Havilland Twin Otter 400 Short-Field Turboprop |
1,200 ft 3,328 ft spare |
1,480 km 912 km spare after reserves |
Non-stop |
| Cessna Citation CJ3+ Light Jet |
3,500 ft 1,028 ft spare |
3,700 km 3,132 km spare after reserves |
Non-stop |
| Embraer Phenom 300E Light Jet |
3,278 ft 1,250 ft spare |
3,650 km 3,082 km spare after reserves |
Non-stop |
| Cessna Citation XLS+ Midsize Jet |
4,200 ft 328 ft spare |
3,900 km 3,332 km spare after reserves |
Non-stop |
| Hawker 900XP Midsize Jet |
5,576 ft 1,048 ft short |
4,600 km 4,032 km spare after reserves |
Runway too short |
| Challenger 350 Super Midsize Jet |
4,930 ft 402 ft short |
5,926 km 5,358 km spare after reserves |
Runway too short |
| Cessna Citation Longitude Super Midsize Jet |
4,900 ft 372 ft short |
6,400 km 5,832 km spare after reserves |
Runway too short |
| Embraer Praetor 600 Super Midsize Jet |
4,692 ft 164 ft short |
7,220 km 6,652 km spare after reserves |
Runway too short |
| Challenger 605 Heavy Jet |
5,440 ft 912 ft short |
7,400 km 6,832 km spare after reserves |
Runway too short |
| Gulfstream G450 Heavy Jet |
5,300 ft 772 ft short |
7,800 km 7,232 km spare after reserves |
Runway too short |
| Falcon 2000LXS Heavy Jet |
4,790 ft 262 ft short |
7,400 km 6,832 km spare after reserves |
Runway too short |
| Bombardier Global 7500 Ultra Long Range Jet |
6,000 ft 1,472 ft short |
14,260 km 13,692 km spare after reserves |
Runway too short |
| Bombardier Global 6000 Long Range Jet |
5,800 ft 1,272 ft short |
11,112 km 10,544 km spare after reserves |
Runway too short |
| Gulfstream G650 Long Range Jet |
6,000 ft 1,472 ft short |
12,960 km 12,392 km spare after reserves |
Runway too short |
| Falcon 8X Long Range Jet |
4,800 ft 272 ft short |
11,945 km 11,377 km spare after reserves |
Runway too short |
Alternates within range: Mareeba Airport (4,938 ft, 41 km) · Atherton Airport · Yalkulka Airport · Green Island Helipad · Pormpuraaw Airport (4,462 ft, 67 km) · Rutland Plains Airport
Pick your slot and depart. Private charter between Cairns and Kowanyama is built around your itinerary.
Commercial adds hours in terminals. Private charter cuts the Cairns–Kowanyama trip to about 1h 02m gate to gate.
More airport choice means fewer ground miles. We match the airfield to your final address, not the nearest hub.
We publish the price band (US$8,000 – US$15,500) so you can plan before committing. The confirmed quote has no surprises.
Demand on Cairns–Kowanyama comes from corporate trips and getaways in equal measure — a domestic route where private charter pays off in time and privacy.
As a guide, charter ranges US$8,000 – US$15,500 one-way — from a very light jet (Embraer Phenom 100EV) at the lower end. Final pricing depends on dates, group size and availability.
About 1h 02m gate to gate over 454 km (282 miles), similar both ways; larger jets are marginally faster.
Very Light Jet, Light Jet, Turboprop are the usual choices here; our pick is a very light jet for value and comfort on this distance.
Often yes: same-day and next-day Cairns–Kowanyama departures are possible when aircraft and crew are positioned nearby.
Yes. Our Cairns–Kowanyama charters are dog- and pet-friendly with in-cabin access — note your pet in the enquiry.
Of course: Kowanyama to Cairns runs on the same aircraft and pricing, so round trips are straightforward.
