Textron announced delivery of first Canadian SkyCourier
February 7, 2025
The Cessna 408 SkyCourier utility aircraft was designed to meet the requirements of FedEx Express, who placed an order for 50 on 28 November 2017, launching the programme. The prototype made its first flight on 17 May 2020, and the SkyCourier was type certified on 11 March 2022. FedEx took delivery of the first production model on 9 May 2022.
The first Canadian SkyCourier (c/n 408-0028, registered C-GSRW on 14 January) was delivered to Air Bravo, which uses the PC-12 for passenger, cargo, and air ambulance flights. The newly delivered SkyCourier is in freighter configuration, and offers a significantly larger payload than the PC-12, albeit at shorter range and slower cruising speed.
The freighter version can carry cargo including up to three LD3 containers, it can be offered with an optional roller mat floor.
The launch customer was FedEx Express with 50 ordered. The first delivery was made in May 2022, and 16 had been delivered by January 2024. Mountain Air Cargo, Corporate Air and Empire Airlines are all operating SkyCourier freighter variants on behalf of FedEx Express.
Freighters have been delivered to Kamaka Air in Hawaii (one, with one more example on order), Air Bravo, Bering Air (two), and Everts Air (one, plus a Combi version).
There is a 19 passenger version with passenger windows, and up to 19 (optionally removeable) passenger seats, with a baggage compartment at the rear of the cabin. This version has a built-in rear airstair and three under-wing emergency exits. Western Aircraft, Inc. doing business in Hawaii as Lāna’i Air was the first operator of the passenger version.
Six more passenger variants are on order for Aerus, Air Marshall Islands and Hinterland Aviation, two per customer.
There is also a combi variant based on the passenger version with nine passengers accommodated in the front of the cabin and freight in the rear. The Combi gained US FAA certification in May 2024 and the first example was delivered to Everts Air two months later. Another Combi is operated by Samaritan’s Purse, delivered to Alaska in October 2024.
