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ALLIANCE AIRLINES FIRST FOKKER F50 TURBO PROP
ARRIVES IN AUSTRALIA
Alliance Airlines Managing Director, Scott McMillan, has today announced the delivery of its first 56 seat Fokker F50 aircraft, VH–FKY. The second aircraft, VH-FKZ is scheduled to be delivered in early March. Alliance has options on a further 3 Fokker F50 aircraft.
The decision to purchase the aircraft followed a detailed review of the charter needs of the resources industry over the next 5 years. “The review identified a market requirement for a 50 - 60 seat turbo prop aircraft that could operate into airports with minium runway specifications and deliver high payloads, even in extreme temperatures” Mr McMillan said.
“The Fokker F50 was the stand-out choice. It is well known in Australia and has won a
reputation of delivering outstanding operational performance and excellent passenger comfort. The aircraft is also very cost efficient across short to medium haul routes Mr McMillan said.
Alliance has identified a number of customers for the aircraft. With its impressive payload performance, the aircraft is ideally suited to remote mining operations across Australia.
The Fokker F50 presents resource customers, who have growing workforces, the opportunity to increase seat capacity by up to 60% (compared to other turbo prop aircraft) without increasing flight frequency. The financial benefit of this is significant in terms of reduced unit cost per seat and simplified flight logistics.
Alliance has the trained personnel to commence flight operations once CASA certification is completed. “With an existing High Capacity Air Operators Certificate and the Fokker F50 already being in operation in Australia, this process is greatly simplified. Pilots, including check and training captains, and a number of F50 licensed engineers have already been recruited” Mr McMillan said.
Alliance Airlines is a privately owned Queensland based airline specialising in Fly In Fly Out operations to remote mining sites. Its customer base includes BHP Billiton Nickel West and
Cannington, Xstrata, Zinifex Santos, and Southern Cross Fertilisers. Alliance is also a major supplier of jet charter services to the Commonwealth Government and provide aircraft to third parties on both dry and wet leases.
Alliance has 11 Fokker F100 jet aircraft and the addition of the first two Fokker F50 aircraft greatly enhances the flexibility of its fleet whilst delivering important single manufacturer synergies.
Alliance is based in Brisbane and maintains a significant presence in Townsville and Perth. Alliance currently employs 219 staff.