Final European Fokker 100 in Airline Service Retired

The final Fokker 100 in airline service in Europe has been retired following a short ceremony.

The aircraft, operated by Romania’s Carpatair, was the last of three of the Dutch regional jets operated by the airline. It was flown into storage on 29 November, following a final passenger flight earlier in the month.

The final aircraft was YR-FKB (cn 11369), a 32-year-old example built originally for American Airlines, and used by Carpatair 2006 on charter and scheduled services.

To celebrate the retirement event, Carpatair organised a special ceremony to say goodbye to the type at its Timisoara base, before the aircraft flew to Woensdrecht in the Netherlands for storage.

A History of the Fokker 100 in Europe

Carpatair became the final operator of the Fokker 100 in Europe after the many other airlines flying the type gradually retired them.

The most recent to end operations with the type was Trade Air, which sold its last example in 2022.

In its heyday, the Fokker 100 was used by many of Europe’s major airlines, including Air Europe, Air Inter, Air UK, Austrian Airlines, British Midland, Germania, Helvetic Airlines, PGA Portugalia Airlines, Regional, Swissair and TAT European Airlines.

KLM Fokker 100 PH-OFA at Lelystad.

The largest operator was KLM Cityhopper, which had a strong link with Fokker aircraft. It retired its last Fokker 100 in 2012, however two are preserved to see – one on the Panorama Terrace at Amsterdam Schiphol, and one at the Aviodrome Museum in Lelystad.

Carpatair’s Remaining Fleet

With the retirement of its three Fokker 100s (YR-FKA, YR-FKB and YR-FZA) over the past three years, Carpatair is left with a fleet of two Airbus A319 aircraft. They are YR-ABA and YR-ABB.

Where Can You Still Fly on a Fokker 100?

Bidgee [CC BY-SA 3.0 au (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/au/deed.en)]

According to Last Chance to Fly – our guide to flying rare and historic airliners, available to Airport Spotting Premium members – there are still airlines in Africa, Asia and Australia flying the venerable Fokker 100.

These include Iran Air, Iran Aseman Airlines and Kish Air in Iran; Air Panama in Central America; Air Niugini, Alliance Airlines, Network Aviation and Virgin Australia in Oceania.

Nevertheless, the number of active examples, out of the 283 aircraft built, is dwindling rapidly.

In Europe, the Slovak government still flies two examples on VIP duties, so there is a chance to see a Fokker 100 at Europe’s airports.