Air Panama Fokker 70’s take off with Fokker Services’ FLYFokker program

Air Panama has become the fourth operator in the Americas to use an extensive FLYFokker program. The FLYFokker Take Off program covers all logistics and technical support needed by Air Panama to start operating its two newly acquired Fokker 70 aircraft. As part of the FLYFokker Take Off program, Fokker Services provides, amongst other services, on-site technical training and a modification to change the cabin from a 48 to a 72 seat configuration. Furthermore, a complete ABACUS program has been agreed upon for all major rotables, APU, landing gear and brakes. ABACUS is Fokker Services’ renowned forward lease & exchange program, which ties in with a flight hour agreement for the repairs.

Fokker Services developed the Take Off solution for new operators as part of the FLYFokker program. It focuses on minimizing the upfront investments while maximizing the operational performance against a fixed monthly cost.

“We are excited we signed this contract with Air Panama and we are convinced that adding the Fokker 70 to its fleet in combination with our FLYFokker program will pave the way for a successful operation of Air Panama” says Leon Kouters, VP Marketing & Sales Fokker Services Inc.

Air Panama has been a customer of Fokker Services for many years, operating the very reliable Fokker F27 aircraft. “Signing this Agreement will help us focus on starting to operate the Fokker 70 aircraft with minimum amount of effort at fixed agreed expenses. Fokker 70 is an ideal addition to our fleet”, says Eduardo Stagg, General Manager of Air Panama. Both Fokker 70s, former corporate aircraft with low hours, are being used since early June on domestic routes replacing Saab 340Bs and a single Dash 8 Q300. The 1500+ nm range of the Fokker 70 also enables a greatly increased regional catchment area. “The aircraft is proving to be very reliable and public acceptance has been so good resulting in Air Panama controlling 65+% of the markets where the aircraft is flying” adds Eduardo Stagg.