RNLAF Retires its Last Fokkers

摘要

The Koninklijke Luchtmacht (RNLAF, Royal Netherlands Air Force) withdrew its two Fokkers 50 transports from service on October 1. The retirement follows a decision made by the Dutch Ministry of Defence (MoD) in September 2009 that the aircraft would be sold to save money (see RNLAF To Retire Its Last Fokkers, December 2009, p11). Both of them (U-05, c 20253, and U-06, c 20287) have been used in the passenger transport role by No.334 Squadron from Eindhoven since late 1996. Negotiations on the sale of the aircraft to an unspecified country continue, but by early October no contract had been signed. The retirement of the Fokker 50s ends the association between the manufacturer and the RNLAF. The Dutch armed forces operated Fokker-built aircraft from 1917.