One of QantasLink's Fokker F100 jet aircraft is set to begin a new chapter, with the airline donating the retired aircraft to the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) in Parkes in central west NSW.
After 18 years ferrying Fly-In Fly-Out workers around Western Australia, completed its final flight from Perth to Parkes, via Kalgoorlie, on Tuesday where it will become a tourist attraction at the HARS Museum.
The aircraft's arrival in Parkes marks the start of its new role as a public exhibit at the HARS aviation museum, where it will help showcase regional aviation to visitors from around the country.
The 100-seat aircraft (registration VH-NHO) has played a significant role in the growth of Network Aviation, Qantas' Western Australian airline servicing the critical resources sector.
It was the first F100 delivered to the airline in 2008, forming the foundation of its jet fleet. Prior to this, Network Aviation operated six 30-seat propeller aircraft and had 145 employees. Network Aviation now has 41 aircraft, more than 1,200 employees and is replacing its F100s with Embraer E190 aircraft to improve reliability, fuel efficiency and customer comfort.
During its years of service, VH-NHO completed more than 43,000 flights and carried 1.7 million customers, connecting regional communities across Western Australia and providing essential FIFO services.
Comments from QantasLink CEO Mark Dal Pra:
"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.
"Over this time its 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 a of Australia's aviation history as we Network enters a new chapter."
Comments from HARS President and Chief Pilot Bob De La Hunty:
"This generous donation from QantasLink represents a significant milestone for the Parkes Aviation Museum.
"It will enable hands-on aviation learning experiences for students and visitors, while supporting our broader vision for a world-class regional aviation museum."
HARS is recognised as a major aviation and tourism attraction, and the addition of the QantasLink F100 is expected to further strengthen its collection and support growing interest in regional NSW.
The donation builds on Qantas' long-standing relationship with HARS. In 2015, the airline gifted a Boeing 747 to the organisation's Shellharbour museum, where it remains one of the most iconic aircrafts on display.
Fast Facts:
- Network Aviation operated 18 Fokker F100 aircraft over the past 18 years.
- The F100 aircraft have connected communities across Western Australia, including Kalgoorlie, Newman and Paraburdoo.
- Network Aviation is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Qantas Group based in Perth and provides high-capacity charter and regular passenger transport services to the resources sector and regional communities.
- The airline operates over 600 flights per week to more than 25 destinations across regional Western Australia and to Darwin, Newcastle, Hobart, Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.
- Its current fleet includes 41 aircraft including Fokker 100, Airbus A319 and Airbus A320.
