On 02/18/24 the first Cessna SkyCourier passenger variant order in Australia has taken place with regional airline operator Hinterland Aviation. The 19 seat turboprop aircraft will supplement Hinterland Aviation’s fleet of Cessna Grand Caravans, providing a increase in payload capacity and passenger seating. Deliveries are expected to commence in 2026.
Filling A Void In The Small Turboprop Market
The Cessna SkyCourier is filling the gap in the airline market that is mostly uncontested. Most 19 to 30 seat aircraft are reaching the end of their service life, meaning there is a large gap to fill with only two active manufacturers offering replacement platforms. These aircraft play a pivotal role in connecting small communities that may not otherwise be able to accommodate larger aircraft. Textron’s Cessna SkyCourier is powered by two wing-mounted Pratt & Whitney PT6A-65SC turboprop engines and features the McCauley Propeller C779, a heavy-duty and reliable 110-inch aluminum four-blade propeller, which is full feathering with reversible pitch allowing for short runway performance without sacrificing load capacity. FedEx has selected the freighter variant of the SkyCourier to replace smaller Cessna Caravan freighter aircraft in order to handle three LD3 shipping containers with 6,000lbs. of payload capacity. In addition to the order from Hinterland Aviation, 50 freight variant SkyCourier’s will be delivered to FedEx Express, Two passenger variants to Bering Air as well as two to Aerus. Western Aircraft Inc. of Hawaii will begin service with a single SkyCourier providing inter island service throughout Hawaii.