“Embraer EMB-120ER Skywest Airlines N217SW” by Taurus Photographix on Flickr – Embraer EMB-120ER Skywest Airlines N217SW. Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
SkyWest Airlines has retired its last Embraer EMB-120 Brasilia aircraft after 28 years of flying the type.
The last flight was UA5165 on 5th May, from Santa Maria to Los Angeles LAX with N567SW on behalf of United Express.
This turboprop type was used extensively in the USA – particularly out of the big hubs with feeder airlines, from its introduction in 1985. However, in recent years its numbers have dwindled, with SkyWest as the last major operator. At the time of writing, only Great Lakes operate it in the USA for passenger services. Others fly cargo conversions still.
Very few other airlines still fly passengers in the Brasilia elsewhere around the world. Interestingly, however, the Wikipedia page for the type states that it’s still possible to order an EMB-120 as a one-off!
