Skyward Express Expands Fleet with Arrival of First Fokker 70
In a significant move, Kenya’s renowned airline, Skyward Express, has welcomed its inaugural Fokker 70 aircraft into its fleet, marking a milestone for the carrier. According to recent findings by ch-aviation research, the newly acquired 80-seater aircraft, registered as 5Y-SKX with manufacturer serial number 11536, is presently undergoing maintenance at Nairobi Wilson.
The journey of 5Y-SKX to its new home in Kenya is noteworthy, having commenced in Woensdrecht, The Netherlands, and making stops in Luxembourg, Heraklion (Greece), and Jeddah (Saudi Arabia). ADS-B data records the aircraft’s arrival on September 23. Prior to joining Skyward Express, this Fokker 70 was in service with Cyprus’s TUS Airways (registration 5B-DDB) and is currently owned by Jet Midwest, as per ch-aviation fleets advanced data.
While Skyward Express remains tight-lipped about the acquisition, industry enthusiasts are eager to witness the operational capabilities of the new addition to its diverse fleet. The Kenyan carrier boasts a total of six aircraft, including two F50s, one F100, one DHC-8-100, and one DHC-8-300. The airline primarily operates domestic flights connecting Nairobi Wilson to key destinations such as Eldoret, Kakamega, Lamu, Lodwar, Malindi, Mombasa, and Ukunda, according to the ch-aviation schedules module.
It’s worth noting that Skyward Express has strategically deployed its F100, registered as 5Y-SKE with manufacturer serial number 11416, to its virtual airline subsidiary, Premier Airlines (Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta). Additionally, Premier Airlines also utilizes another F70, registered as 5Y-JWF with manufacturer serial number 11581, sourced from Jetways Airlines (JWX, Nairobi Wilson) through charter agreements.
As the airline continues to enhance its fleet and expand its services, industry observers are keenly watching Skyward Express carve its niche in the competitive aviation landscape, with the introduction of the Fokker 70 adding a new dimension to its operational capabilities.