Never delivered #19

 

From February 28 to March 5, 1969, the Fokker F-28 Mk.1000 PH-MOL (cn. 11003) visited New Zealand as part of a demonstration tour of Oceania. The aircraft was shown to several airlines, including Air New Zealand.

What would the Fellowship have looked like if Air New Zealand had purchased it?

Korean Air Lines

KAL/Korean Air Lines is the flag carrier airline of South Korea and one of the leading airlines in Asia. Founded in 1962, Korean Air has grown significantly over the decades, becoming a global player in commercial aviation. Today, the airline employs over 18,000 people and transports more than 20 million passengers annually, offering both domestic and international flight networks.

In its early years of operation, Korean Air was established as a government-owned company, with the goal of creating a national airline to connect South Korea to the rest of the world. In 1969, the airline replaced KNA (Korean National Airlines), the national airline that had been founded in 1946 after the division of the Korean Peninsula. However, KNA struggled financially and ultimately went bankrupt, which led to its dissolution. As a result, Korean Air Lines was absorbed by Hanjin Transport Group, a South Korean conglomerate, and transformed into a private company. From that point on, the airline began to expand its fleet and international routes.

In 1984, Korean Air took an important step in its modernization by adding two aircraft from the Fokker F-28 Mk.4000 series, part of the short-range aircraft manufactured by the Dutch company Fokker. These aircraft, with a capacity for 65 to 85 passengers, were primarily used on domestic flights within South Korea, covering some of the country's most high-demand routes. These flights connected Seoul (Gimpo Airport) with other key cities like Busan (Gimhae Airport), Daegu (Daegu Airport), and Jeju (Jeju International Airport).

Jeju, in particular, became a popular destination for domestic tourism, and the Fokker F-28 was ideal for serving the high demand on these short-haul routes. Its operational efficiency, combined with its relatively small capacity, allowed it to operate at smaller or lower-capacity airports, providing a significant operational advantage.

Taking advantage of the arrival of these new aircraft, the airline also decided to refresh its corporate image. On March 1, 1984, Korean Air introduced a new livery for its aircraft, featuring the distinctive blue design on the upper fuselage, which gave the airline a more modern and distinctive visual identity. Furthermore, the airline used this opportunity to change its official name to the current Korean Air, replacing the previous Korean Air Lines, consolidating its brand internationally.

One of the most significant elements of this rebranding was the introduction of a new logo for the airline, the Taegeuk, which represents the duality of the universe in Korean philosophy (similar to the Taiji concept in Chinese culture). The Taegeuk is also a symbol closely tied to Taekwondo, the national martial art of Korea, and its presence in the airline’s new identity reflected both national pride and a desire to project a modern, competitive image. The first aircraft to feature this new name and livery was none other than the Fokker F-28 Fellowship.

In 1987, the airline acquired two additional second-hand Fokker F-28 units. While these aircraft were already several years old, they continued to operate efficiently on regional routes. The Fokker F-28, though smaller compared to wide-body jets, played a crucial role in the operation of regional flights, particularly on routes that did not justify the use of larger aircraft.

The Fokker F-28 Fellowship remained a key part of Korean Air’s fleet until the early 1990s, when the airline decided to move towards larger and more modern aircraft to strengthen its regional fleet. In 1992, Korean Air introduced 12 Fokker 100s, the direct evolution of the Fokker F-28, which proved to be ideal for regional flights, thanks to its larger capacity and better operational features.

Fleet Details:

* 11203 HL7265 Mk.4000 ex PH-EXP dd. 29Jun84 rmt. PH-RRC Fokker 1993.

* 11219 HL7270 Mk.4000 ex PH-EZR dd. 17Jun85 rmt. PH-RRA Fokker 1992.

* 11221 HL7284 Mk.4000 ex N282MP dd Sep87 li. w/o. Nov89.

* 11223 HL7285 Mk.4000 ex N281MP dd. Ago87. rmt. PH-RRB Fokker 1992.

These Fokker F-28s were part of a varied fleet and played a vital role in Korean Air’s operations during the 1980s and 1990s. After their retirement, they were replaced by larger and more efficient models, but the legacy of the Fokker F-28 remains an important chapter in the airline's history.

Never delivered #18

 

On August 10, 1971, the Fokker F-28 Mk.1000 PH-ZAV (msn. 11032) carried out a brief demonstration in the United Kingdom as part of its evaluation by British European Airways (BEA). How would the aircraft have been configured and liveried had BEA chosen to add the Fellowship to its fleet?.

Ceremony for the 50th Anniversary of the Fokker F-28 in the Argentine Air Force

    On, November 17, 2025, the Argentine Air Force celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Fokker F-28. The ceremony took place at El Palomar Air Base, home to the Fellowship. TC-53 (serial number 11020) delighted everyone present with a spectacular low-altitude flyby.

    It is worth noting that the Argentine Air Force's first Fokker F-28 Mk.1000C arrived on January 16, 1975, from Amsterdam. That aircraft was TC-51 (serial number 11076).

See previous link: "50 Years of  Fokker F-28 in the Argentine Air Force".

 

Special thanks to Adrián Gómez for the photos!.

The only Mark 1000 in service worldwide

 

The Only Mark 1000 in Service Worldwide.

A rare sight landed yesterday at Salta Airport in Argentina. It was the Argentine Air Force Fokker F-28 Mk. 1000C TC-53 (cn. 11020), photographed by Sebastián Acosta.

The "Tango Charlie 53" is one of only three Fellowship aircraft in service worldwide and has been quite busy lately. On November 3, 2025, it flew from El Palomar Air Base to Córdoba. On November 10, 2025, it performed another service for LADE, flight 5U502 from Aeroparque to Mar del Plata, Bahía Blanca, and Bariloche. And on November 11, it flew from El Palomar Air Base to Zapala, Mendoza, and Salta.

“LOA”’s Cockpit

    

Esteban Brea shared with us images of the nose section of the Fokker F-28 Mk. 1000 LV-LOA (cn. 11085), photographed in November 2019. It is one of the few remaining parts of the Fokker F-28s that once belonged to Aerolíneas Argentinas. This aircraft is located in a town about 30 kilometers from Escobar, in Buenos Aires Province. The aircraft was first registered under the temporary code PH-EXT on September 16, 1974, and one month later, on October 18, 1974, it completed its maiden flight. Between January 14 and 16, 1975, it carried out its delivery flight along the route Amsterdam – Keflavik – Sondre Stromfjord – Goose Bay – Mont Joli – New York (Canada) – New York (USA) – Miami – Tocumen – Lima – Jujuy – Ezeiza.

    Shortly after entering service, the aircraft experienced its first incident. On January 30, 1975, during a flight from Aeroparque Jorge Newbery in Buenos Aires to Santa Teresita, it mistakenly landed on the grass runway of the San Clemente del Tuyú Aeroclub.

    From April to December 1984, the aircraft was leased to the Colombian airline ACES, where it wore that company’s full livery.

    In July 1986, Aerolíneas Argentinas was in the midst of a major conflict with its pilots, which led to a fierce strike. In response, the Argentine government decided to transfer some of the airline’s aircraft to Líneas Aéreas del Estado (LADE), which operated under the Argentine Air Force. As a result, the Fokker F-28s and Boeing 707s of Aerolíneas Argentinas began flying with LADE, piloted by Air Force crews.

     On July 13, 1986, while landing in Ushuaia under poor weather conditions, the aircraft overran the runway. The crew was informed too late about the presence of ice, and since the aircraft could not brake effectively, they opted for a last-minute maneuver—a sharp right turn—that brought the plane to a stop just a few meters from the shore of the Beagle Channel. It is said that the F-28’s pilot was later invited by Fokker to repeat the maneuver successfully, and that the procedure was subsequently incorporated into Fokker’s operational manuals.

    On July 8, 1989, while conducting training operations in Bahía Blanca, the aircraft suffered a failure of the left main landing gear during one of the landings, resulting in a loss of control and minor damage.

    On April 5, 1994, LV-LOA was withdrawn from service and parked at Aeroparque. On April 13, 1994, the three surviving F-28s (LV-LOA, LV-LOC, and LV-LRG) took off for Ministro Pistarini International Airport in Ezeiza, Buenos Aires Province.

    On December 17, 1996, the aircraft was observed being dismantled, missing its landing gear, doors, engines, and wing leading edges. By November 1997, only the cockpit remained.

   On November 30, 2001, the cockpit was seen at Ezeiza, and by February 3, 2002, it was no longer there.

The F-28 cockpit was later acquired by one of Aerolíneas Argentinas’ labor unions and used as a parade float on a trailer. It was seen in October 2000 during a union protest.

 

    Sources: Own research, Gaceta Aeronáutica, and Aerolíneas Series #10 – Fokker Fellowship by Carlos Abella, Gonzalo Carballo, and Juan Carlos Rodríguez – July 2017.

Air Nauru

    

    The national airline of the island of Nauru, initially known as Air Nauru, began its commercial operations in the early 1970s when it acquired a Dassault Falcon 20, used for flights between Nauru and Brisbane. However, the real leap in operational capacity and connection to the outside world came with the arrival of its first own aircraft, a Fokker F-28, in 1972. This Dutch-manufactured aircraft became a cornerstone of Air Nauru's fleet, particularly designed for short- and medium-haul flights. The Fokker F-28 was known for its reliability and its ability to operate from airports with limited infrastructure, making it ideal for the island’s operations. During the five years it was in service, the F-28 facilitated connections between Nauru and key destinations in the Pacific, including Brisbane, Honiara, and other nearby islands.
    Throughout its time in service, the Fokker F-28 played a crucial role in the airline's growth, helping to establish a network of regular flights that connected Nauru to major hubs in the region. The versatility of this model allowed Air Nauru to maintain an efficient operation, despite the island's geographic limitations.
    Regular services started when the company took delivery of its first Fokker F 28-1000 on January 18 1972 and a second F28 "Chief Nobor" was delivered on June 18, 1974. The company wiill dispose of its F28 in 1977 when the 2 frames will be sold to Air Niugini.
    The F-28 was replaced by other aircraft. However, its legacy endured as one of the first commercial planes that truly marked the beginning of the airline’s modernization and the expansion of its international routes.
    In 1973 Air Nauru was flying from Nauru to Tarawa Island, Majuro Atoll, Pohnpei, Agana, Okinawa, Kagoshima, Honiara, Nouméa, Brisbane & Melbourne.
    Following the retirement of the Fokker F-28, the airline continued its operations with other aircraft, adapting to the needs of a growing fleet and the challenges of regional air travel. Today, the company is known as Nauru Airlines, but the Fokker F-28 is still remembered as a vital tool in the company's consolidation, a starting point that allowed the airline to take a leap toward the future of aviation in the Pacific.

Sources: own and Nauru Airlines Facebook Group

Fleet List

* 11041 Mk.1000 C2-RN1 dlv. 18Jan72."Nauru Chief" rmt.  Air Niugini 1977.

* 11056 Mk.1000 C2-RN2 dlv. 18Jun74 "Chief Nobor" rmt. Air Niugini 1977.

Never delivered #17

 

Fokker not only conducted demonstration flights and tours of its F-28 around the world, but also demonstrated its products to potential buyers at its facilities.

Thus, on October 13, 1971, PH-ZAV (cn. 11032) made a demonstration flight from Schiphol for the Israeli company Arkia Airlines.