GrewAir retires final F27 after three decades in the fleet!

[TheGrew]

GrewAir Bids Farewell to the Fokker F27 After Three Decades of Distinguished Service
OSLO, NORWAY – August 9, 1991 – GrewAir today marks the end of an era in Norwegian aviation as it officially retires the final Fokker F27 "Friendship" from its fleet. The retirement ceremony, held at the airline's headquarters at Oslo Fornebu Airport, commemorates over 30 years of reliable service connecting the communities of Scandinavia.

Since the introduction of the first F27 into the GrewAir fleet in the early 1960s, the "Friendship" has been the backbone of the airline's regional operations. GrewAir holds the unique distinction of having operated nearly every iteration of the aircraft—including the Series 100, 200, 300, 400, and 600—with the sole exception of the stretched 500 series.

"The Fokker F27 didn't just fly routes; it built bridges across our fjords and mountains," said Erik Solberg, Director of Flight Operations at GrewAir. "While we look toward the future, we must acknowledge the incredible reliability of this turboprop, which has served our passengers through three decades of challenging Nordic winters."

A New Standard for the 1990s
The retirement of the F27 paves the way for a fully modernized regional fleet. GrewAir has successfully transitioned its short-haul operations to the ATR 42 and ATR 72 aircraft. This new generation of regional transports represents a significant leap forward in passenger comfort and environmental responsibility:

Quieter Cabins: Powered by the advanced Pratt & Whitney Canada PW120 series engines, the ATR fleet significantly reduces external noise footprints and internal cabin vibration.

Greater Efficiency: The PW120 engines offer superior fuel burn rates, ensuring GrewAir remains competitive and environmentally conscious as we head into the new decade.

Operational Flexibility: The combination of the 42-seat and 72-seat variants allows GrewAir to precisely match capacity with market demand across our growing network.

Legacy of the Friendship
The final F27 aircraft, registration LN-GWA, will perform a ceremonial fly-past of Fornebu before being transitioned to its new role. Over the last 30 years, GrewAir's Fokker fleet has logged over 450,000 flight hours and transported millions of passengers, maintaining an exemplary safety record.

As GrewAir enters this new chapter, the airline remains committed to the same spirit of reliability that the Fokker F27 came to represent.