We did calculations for a small Caravan operations a while ago and ended up in costs (TCO) at roughly USD 1,000 per flight hour, but without pilots salary and profit earned. A single pilot may add USD 50 and to cover the ordinary risk of aircraft operations you need 30% uplift, USD 1.400 per flight hour. With the Caravan able to carry 490 Kg full fuel, I come to almost USD 3,00 per Kg and flight hour. If you have 30-40 minutes one way, all fine, but will you also be able to get 100% cargo load? At 75% load factor you are at USD 4,00 per Kg, at 66% already USD 4,50 ... I don't know rates at your area, but when I was hauling cargo in Africa we had bigger aircraft and typical rates of R17 to R22 per Kg (USD 1,25 to 1,50). We couldn't have done with a Caravan.
Last edited by ChickenHouse; 29th Aug 2016 at 08:07.