Contributor - Europe

Cathy Buyck

Six percent of the some 400 Fokker aircraft that remain in service worldwide changed operators or owners last year, though the number of transactions of the Dutch&nbsp;airliner continues to dwindle. Seventeen Fokker 50s, four Fokker 70s, and three of the larger Fokker 100s went to one new and eight existing operators, according to data released today by GKN Fokker Services. &nbsp;“The 24 aircraft placements, predominantly straight sales, demonstrate the continued economic viability of the Fokker aircraft,” commented Fokker Services’ Director Business Development Erik Geertsema. “Low operating costs, aircraft longevity, operational versatility, and comprehensive support have been instrumental in all of the deals in 2018.”

 


A number of aircraft found new owners in Europe. Swedish operator Amapola added six Fokker 50s, elevating its Fokker fleet to 22 examples—a combination of passenger aircraft and freighters. The Stockholm Arlanda Airport-based airline ranks as the world’s largest Fokker 50 operator. Dutch company ATS purchased a couple of Fokker 70s to become operational in 2019, while it sold one to Cypriot operator TUS Aviation. Avantiair, based in Germany, added a third Fokker 100 to its fleet to cater for increasing demand for wet leases.

 


In Asia, an undisclosed operator purchased one Fokker 100 and Leading Edge Air Services Corp., (LEASCOR) of the Philippines purchased four Fokker 50s. In Latin America, Gran Colombia de Aviación (GCA) bought five Fokker 50s from Avior Regional and Air Panamá purchased its fifth Fokker 100. Start-up Jetair Caribbean bought a Fokker 70 from KLM Cityhopper.&nbsp; The airline aims to start passenger flights from Curaçao to the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Colombia, Trinidad, and Jamaica from April, when it expects to add a second Fokker 70 as spare aircraft. Rudufu and Silverstone in Kenya both added one Fokker 50 to their respective fleets.

 


Fokker aircraft transactions totaled 39 in 2017, 42 in 2016 and 50 in 2015, when still some 500 remained in operation.

 


UK-headquartered GKN Aerospace acquired Fokker Technologies in 2015 and is the type certificate holder of the aircraft. GKN’s Fokker Services business does not sell nor lease Fokker jets, though it facilitates placements by sellers and lessors through its FLYFokker program and remarketing services. It also provides comprehensive support to Fokker aircraft operators throughout the world.&nbsp;

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Fokker Aircraft Transactions Continue To Dwindle

Sweden’s Amapola now ranks as the largest Fokker 50 operator after adding six of the type last year.

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