Airflite Flying College (Moorabbin) has taken delivery of its first DHC-8-Q300, with VH-AO9 (msn 591) arriving at Perth International after a journey from Malé. The aircraft made stops at Hambantota, Banda Aceh, Johor Bahru, Majalengka Kertajati International, Denpasar, and Port Hedland between November 5 and 20. This new addition replaces a 23-year-old DHC-8-Q200, which was retired in May.
The 22-year-old De Havilland Aircraft of Canada turboprop, now owned and operated by Airflite, is powered by Pratt & Whitney PW100 engines and was configured with 50 seats in an all-economy layout under its former operator, Maldivian (Q2, Malé), which continues to fly three units of the type. It was originally delivered to Japanese carrier ANA Wings in January 2003, where it served for 11 years before being returned to lessor Nordic Aviation Capital. After 18 months of inactivity, it joined Maldivian’s fleet in October 2015 as 8Q-IAR.
The new Q300 replaces VH-AO8 (msn 579), a DHC-8-Q200 that Airflite Flying College operated between November 2023 and May 2024. Following its retirement, VH-AO8 was re-registered in the United States as N579HC and is now owned by Rangeflyers, a company specialising in the delivery of new and pre-owned aircraft. ADS-B data indicates the aircraft has been parked at Florence Regional since October 6.
Airflite holds its own Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC), allowing it to offer aircraft for charter. The company’s current fleet includes one Beech (twin turboprop) King Air B200, fourteen Cessna 172Ss, two Cessna 182Ts, one Cessna 208B, twelve Diamond DA-40NGs, two Piper PA-34s, twelve Piper PA-44s, and one American Champion 8KCAB Decathlon. Most of these are used for flight training.
In addition to its flying college and charter operations, Airflite offers a range of aviation solutions, including aircraft sales, leasing, maintenance, repair, and defence support. The firm also provides fixed-base operations (FBO) services at Perth International.
