Textron Aviation has delivered the first of two Cessna SkyCourier twin-engine turboprops to Air Marshall Islands, following an order placed in 2024. The delivery, announced on May 15, 2026, marks the first time a SkyCourier has been introduced into the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI). These 19-seater aircraft are equipped with a passenger‑to‑freighter conversion kit, purpose-built to connect dispersed island communities across the country.
Juan Escalante, Vice President of SkyCourier sales at Textron, emphasized the aircraft’s operational versatility: “Built with customer needs and operational efficiency at the forefront, the Cessna SkyCourier provides a dependable platform to support day‑to‑day operations. It was designed for operators like AIR Marshall Islands who require adaptability and high performance across a variety of missions.”
A second SkyCourier is slated for delivery later this year, following a purchase agreement announced in November 2024.
Air Marshall Islands, owned by the government of the Marshall Islands and based in Majuro, currently operates Dornier 228-212s and a De Havilland Canada Dash 8. According to Captain Albon Jelke, GM and CEO, “The SkyCourier’s high payload capacity and adaptable design will enable us to transport both passengers and cargo more efficiently, including essential goods like food and medical supplies.”
