Fledgling Indonesian scheduled operator PT SKY Aviation is undertaking a major expansion through the lease of three Fokker 50s, which will begin flights within the next few weeks.
The Jakarta-based carrier, which began life as a general aviation charter operation some years ago, underwent a management change last year and obtained scheduled operator status. It began services to Surabaya, Banyuwangi and Denpasar using a Cessna Grand Caravan in December 2010.
The company says the Fokker 50s will be used both for regional scheduled operations and to handle charters for the archipelago's oil and gas industry.
The aircraft are being sourced from several unnamed lessors. Sources familiar with the situation say that the airline is in negotiations to lease further examples of the Dutch turboprop.
Fokker Services will provide support for the aircraft under its FLYFokker Take Off scheme, which includes logistic, engineering and maintenance services.
"This represents a next step in the roll-out of the FLYFokker programme, which we launched just over a year ago," says Fokker Services vice-president marketing and sales Erik Goedhart. He adds that more South-East Asian operators of the type are expected to emerge.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
