Eight more Fokker 100s for Alliance

Alliance is significantly expanding its Fokker 100 fleet. (Paul Sadler)

Alliance Airlines has signed a letter of intent to acquire eight additional Fokker 100 jets as the airline seeks to significantly expand its operations through the Asia Pacific region.

“The Fokker 100 has proved to be reliable, robust and extremely popular among the contract customers we serve, making it both a natural and ideal choice for us as we increase our operations for existing clients and look to expand into new markets,” said managing director Scott McMillan.

He added that the additional aircraft would allow it to quickly add capacity for new contracts and ad hoc charters, while it already has an extensive inventory of spares and established maintenance operations for the type. Alliance already operates 11 Fokker 100s, in addition to six Fokker 50 turboprops.

The announcement comes after Alliance announced on March 17 that it will establish a fifth base at Cairns from May. Alliance currently operates bases at Brisbane, Townsville, Perth and Adelaide, predominately serving the resources industry.