On Tuesday, March 7, 1978, a Fokker F-28 Mk. 4000 visited the Jorge Newbery Aeroparque in Buenos Aires, completing a demonstration tour. The aircraft bore Dutch identification and Linjeflyg colorscheme. Previously, the aircraft had visited Rio de Janeiro, conducting various tests on the famous "Ponta Aérea" route from Rio's Santos Dumont airport to São Paulo. The Fellowship was one of the many aircraft evaluated to replace VARIG's venerable Electras, which, incidentally, continued flying until 1992.
The Dutch factory, to fulfill this tour, leased an F-28 Mk.4000 from the Swedish company Linjeflyg, (PH-JPV - cn. 11130) before the aircraft was delivered to them. The European manufacturer had carried out a promotional tour in the region in the late 60s, when it began marketing the model with the PH-MOL F-28 Mk.1000 (cn.11003) aircraft. Of the versions derived from the original Fellowship, the F-28 Mk.4000 was the most successful series. This version entered service with the Swedish company Linjeflyg on October 20, 1976, powered by Spey 555-15H engines. Furthermore, compared to the original model, it offered greater seating capacity (85 passengers versus 65), a larger wingspan, and reinforced wings.
The tour garnered modest interest from the Argentine state-owned company, which had been operating the model since 1975 with the Mk.1000 series. In 1979, the national carrier leased an Mk.4000 series aircraft from NLM City Hopper. This aircraft was later acquired - PH-BBV/LV-MZD cn.11127.
The aircraft subsequently continued its tour, performing various demonstrations in Bolivia for Lloyd Aéreo Boliviano, which received coverage in the local press.
* See - Never delivered N° 6.
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