Textron Aviation has announced that its Cessna SkyCourier twin utility turboprop has received type certification from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), enhancing the aircraft's capacity to support operations in remote regions of Southeast Asia. The first SkyCourier in the region, a 19-seat passenger variant, is scheduled for delivery in the second half of 2025 to Leading Edge Air Services Corporation (LEASCOR), a fully owned subsidiary of ACDI Multipurpose Cooperative in the Philippines.
“Demand for the SkyCourier continues to grow throughout the APAC region due to the aircraft's outstanding performance and reliability,” stated Lannie O'Bannion, Senior Vice President, Global Sales and Flight Operations for Textron Aviation. “The SkyCourier offers maximum cabin flexibility with low operating costs and has rapidly established itself as an excellent business tool for customers and their missions. We're thrilled to celebrate this significant milestone for the programme.”
Capable of being operated by a single pilot and featuring a substantial payload capacity, the SkyCourier is ideally suited for air freight, passenger transport, and special missions. The aircraft is highly versatile, able to reconfigure swiftly to meet diverse mission requirements, thereby offering a strong return on investment. It is also well-equipped to support various operational activities in remote areas.
ACDI Multipurpose Cooperative, the largest cooperative in the Philippines, serves members of the entire Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and other uniformed personnel. Members include active service personnel, retirees, reservists, civilian employees of the AFP, other uniformed personnel, and their dependants. LEASCOR was established in 2016 as the Cooperative's air chartering arm.
