Air Transport

West Australian regional carrier Skywest Airlines is adding an eighth Fokker 50.

"The price paid for the aircraft is $2.01 million and this will be met by Skywest over the next 19 months from internal cashflow," says the airline.

Skywest managing director Hugh Davin says the Fokker 50 will be used for scheduled passenger services and the decision to add the eighth Fokker 50 "is part of the ongoing development of the airline."

The Fokker 50 represents good value, he says, adding that the Fokker 50 is a robust and reliable aircraft and is much cheaper to purchase than new turboprops.

Davin says some people have suggested that Skywest add new 70-seater turboprops to replace the Fokker 50s but he says 50-seaters are more suitable for Skywesat because demand for 70-seats is limited.

The Fokker 50 that Skywest has just purchased was previously with KLM Dutch Airlines, he says, adding that Skywest's chairman Jeff Chatfield was responsible for the deal.

Skywest also operates nine Fokker 100s and is looking to add its first Airbus A320 next year.