VH-KDK SAAB 340A

This aircraft was built by Saab Aircraft AB, Linkoping, Sweden - 1984

First flown with test registration 'SE-016' - January 08, 1985

This was the first Saab 340 to be acquired by Kendell Airlines

It was also the first Saab 340 to be sold to an airline in the Southern Hemisphere

Cancelled from the Swedish Aircraft Register - February 16, 1985

Entered onto the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-KDK - February 16, 1985

Registered to Kendell Airlines (Australia) Pty Ltd, Wagga Wagga, Australia

Departed Linkoping on the delivery flight to Australia - February 18, 1985

It arrived at Wagga Wagga on completion of the delivery flight - February 23, 1985

Route: Linkpoing - Zurich - Athens - Larnaca - Dubai - Muscat - Madras - Kuala Lumpur - Seletar -

Denpasar - Darwin - Alice Springs - Wagga Wagga

Flight crew: Captains G. Neate, M. Langshaw

The aircraft was named 'City of Mount Gambier'

Flew a route proving flight Melbourne (Tullamarine) - Merimbula - March 07, 1985

Operated its first revenue service Melbourne (Tullamarine) - Merimbula - March 08, 1985

Kendell Airlines was purchased by TNT / News Ltd, the parent company of Ansett Airlines - June 1990

Ansett suspended all operations due to bankruptcy - September 13, 2001

Operated its last revenue service Kingscote - Adelaide (West Beach) as AN5410 - September 13, 2001

Withdrawn from service and stored at Adelaide (West Beach)

It was returned to service under administration Adelaide(West Beach) - Olympic Dam - September 19, 2001

It was offered for immediate sale by the Ansett Administrators

Kendell Airlines was sold to Australiawide Airlines operating as Regional Express Airlines (REX) - August 01, 2002

Operated its first revenue service with Regional Express Airlines (REX) - August 06, 2002

Leased to Australiawide Airlines Ltd t/a Regional Express Airlines as the registered operator - September 19, 2002

Operated its last revenue service Melbourne (Tullamarine) - Canberra as ZL412 - July 24, 2003

Ferried Canberra - Wagga Wagga and withdrawn from service and stored

Ferried Wagga Wagga - Melbourne ( Tullamarine) - August 07, 2003

Returned to the Ansett Administrators at the end of the lease - August 07, 2003

Sold to Australiawide Airlines Ltd by the Ansett Administrators - November 2003

Ferried Melbourne (Tullamarine) - Wagga Wagga - November 23, 2003

Returned to service Wagga Wagga - Sydney (Kingsford Smith) as ZL307 - November 25, 2003

Operated its final passenger revenue service Melbourne (Tullamarine) - Wagga Wagga as ZL3262 - February 28, 2009

Withdrawn from service for conversion to full freighter configuration at Wagga Wagga

Ferried Wagga Wagga - Brisbane following its freighter conversion as REX9876 - April 22, 2009

Delivered to the REX subsidiary airline Pel-Air Express to be operated as a freighter

Registered to Pel-Air Aviation Pty Ltd, Mascot - June 28, 2012

Registered to Regional Express Holdings Limited, Sydney - June 02, 2023

Leased to Pel-Air Aviation Pty Ltd, Sydney as the registered operator

Aircraft sustained in-flight fire damage whilst operating Wagga Wagga - Charleville as ZL9982 - September 23, 2023

To view more details please click 'HERE'

Parted out with many components shipped to New Zealand

Cancelled from the Australian Aircraft Register - June 05, 2024