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QantasLink has gifted WA subsidiary Network Aviation’s first Fokker 100 to the HARS Aviation Museum in Parkes, NSW.
VH-NHO touched down in Parkes on Tuesday afternoon after a flight from Perth, having flown 18 years for Network after its delivery in 2008. It comes as QantasLink looks to replace its Fokker 100s with newer aircraft, including mid-life Embraer E190s.
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“The F100 has been the cornerstone of Network’s fleet for nearly two decades, supporting the incredible growth of Western Australia’s mining industry over that period,” Mark Dal Pra, QantasLink chief executive, said.
“Over this time it’s safely carried hundreds of thousands of passengers across Western Australia, and we’re proud to be gifting this aircraft to HARS for visitors to enjoy.
“With our fleet renewal program underway, it’s a great way to preserve a piece of Australia’s aviation history as we Network enters a new chapter.”
According to HARS, VH-NHO completed more than 43,000 flights and carried 1.7 million customers during its tenure at Network Aviation. Its donation “represents a significant milestone for the Parkes Aviation Museum”, said HARS president and chief pilot, Bob De La Hunty.
“It will enable hands-on aviation learning experiences for students and visitors, while supporting our broader vision for a world-class regional aviation museum,” he said.
QantasLink is currently overhauling the Network Aviation fleet, which currently comprises 41 aircraft including A319s, A320s, and Fokker 100s.
Three mid-life E190s, part of an order of 14 to replace Network’s ageing Fokker 100 fleet, will arrive from the end of this year, while the 28 A320s and A319s will be fitted with on-board Wi-Fi; the A320s will also get new seats with USB-A and USB-C charging ports and device holders.
“This multi-million-dollar investment reinforces our long-term commitment to serving the critical resources sector in Western Australia and connecting regional communities across the state,” Dal Pra said last month.
“Not only will it significantly enhance the travel experience for our customers, it will also help us improve reliability and efficiency across our WA network.”
The arrival of the first three E190s comes after Network replaced several Fokkers with A320s repurposed from Jetstar Asia, which was shuttered last year.
The A320s and E190s will offer improved reliability and fuel efficiency over the F100s, in both regular passenger transport and FIFO operations.
