GENEVA—Textron Aviation has delivered its first passenger-configured twin-engine Cessna 408 SkyCourier, a large-utility turboprop, the company announced May 23 at EBACE.
The first passenger-version SkyCourier is for use by Western Aircraft, which does business in Hawaii as Lanai Air. The company provides air service from Oahu to the island of Lana’I, Textron Aviation officials say.
Up until now, the SkyCourier has been delivered in a freighter version. The aircraft was designed in cooperation with FedEx Express and built to hold up to three LD3 cargo containers. The SkyCourier was launched in 2017 with an order for 50 from FedEx Express for its feeder service. SkyCourier certification and deliveries began in early 2022.
“The Cessna SkyCourier is well on its way to becoming a legendary aircraft for our company,” said Lannie O’Bannion, Textron Aviation's senior vice president of global sales and flight operations. “It’s highly versatile, with cabin flexibility, payload capability, performance and low operating costs, and has already proven to be popular around the world.”
The 19-passenger variant includes crew and passenger doors and large cabin windows. Both configurations include single-point pressure refueling for faster turnarounds. Textron Aviation has developed “innovative ways” to convert the SkyCourier from a 19-seat passenger configuration to cargo with quick release seats and removable bulkheads.
