Cessna 208, BN2 etc.

English Boards General
1

Is it possible to make a profitable airline from small aircraft like the islander, Cessna 208 etc? 

2

I run BN2B, and it can be profitable, but just break even a little bit

3

I think Cessna 208B is better than BN-2B...

4

I find the PC-12 to be quite good. Never had any luck with BN-2 or the Cessna. Just my experience though.

5

Is it possible to make a profitable airline from small aircraft like the islander, Cessna 208 etc? 

Yes, it´s possible. One of my subsidiaries (Sparrow Express) operates 14 BN2s and 4 BNTs and these aircraft are OK for their missions. However, the PC-12 is more profitable compared to the BN2. The BNT is very profitable, depending on the routes flown and healty loads.

6

Honestly, I don't see any need for anything smaller than LETs or if the runway is very short then Twin Otters can be useful. I am sure that you can easily find on all worlds opportunities for larger aircraft. 

Answering the question:

I have also operated theese aircraft and my results were decent but the time spent on scheduling was not worth it. Profits are at a couple 100AS$ per flight at full loads. But LETs only cost about 150AS$ more per flight and even flying them at 50% load is break even and if you have the possibility to have more capacity if needed. Anyways the PC-12, 208s and BN2 are pretty similar though the PC-12 flies twice as fast so that would be my choice as it allows you to utilise the aircraft more and make more money. Put the PC-12 is still more expensive than a LET.

My advise is to not operate anything smaller than LETs which usually are too small.

7

I run BNs and PC12 in Papua and between one bar connection impossible airports in Indonesia, so they can be useful, but not that much

8

I have set up multiple companies on the server Templehof just using Islander aircraft I have made a huge amount of money. And I started only a week ago here come have a look 

9

Although you don't make a lot of money per aircraft you can lease (or even buy) these airplanes for very very cheap, generally.

I am currently trying out Saab 340, let's see how it goes.

10

@Highlander222

What you are doing is clearly slot blocking, by flying with small very cheap aircraft to large airports around Europe thereby blocking slots. Though I understand that you are a beginner and that this is not deliberate. This could be convicted by the UAB but I wont take it up. But for the future please either fly theese aircraft on appropriate routes or remove them completely. Thanks.

11

Thanks for the replies. Has anyone tried an airline with 1000+ <19 seater aircraft fleets before?

12

Thanks for the replies. Has anyone tried an airline with 1000+ <19 seater aircraft fleets before?

Most likely you will be involved in 'slot blocking' if you really have an airline with 1000+ LETs or Beach 1900s

13

Sorry I have removed that airline and I now just fly with bigger better aircraft with two airlines on the Croydon Server their called Fly Egypt and Fly Syria check them out CBE