Hatfield, Hertfordshire.....BAE Systems Regional Aircraft has sold a 29-seat Jetstream 41 regional turboprop airliner to Inverness-based Highland Airways. The aircraft (msn 41041) was delivered to Inverness in late March for customisation. Entry into service is planned for early summer.

Established originally in 1991, Highland Airways provides passenger, corporate, oil exploration and freight charters, and fishery protection services. It also operates scheduled Western Isles Council Public Services Obligation (PSO) services to destinations such as Stornaway, Benbecula and Sumburgh. In addition, the airline flies a twice-daily Welsh PSO route between Anglesey and Cardiff and also provides daily newspaper distribution flights to the Northern and Western Isles.

The airline flies five 19-seat Jetstream 31s and a number of smaller Cessna light transports. In addition to its scheduled and charter services, Highland Airways operates two Jetstream 31s on dedicated corporate shuttle work. The newly acquired Jetstream 41 also will be used for this role, ferrying staff for a UK company between Scotland and the English southwest.

Highland Airways is an EASA 145-approved engineering organisation and has Jetstream 41 line maintenance capability at Inverness.