A retired QantasLink Fokker F100 has completed its final flight and landed at Shellharbour Airport, where the 100-seat aircraft will begin a new life as a public exhibit at the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS).
The donation preserves another piece of QantasLink’s regional aviation history as the airline continues the transition away from its Fokker fleet.
Meekatharra begins new chapter at Shellharbour
The aircraft, VH-NPU “Meekatharra”, has been donated by QantasLink to HARS following its retirement from commercial service.
It becomes the second QantasLink F100 donated to HARS in 2026, following the transfer of another aircraft to the organisation’s Parkes Aviation Museum in February.
For aviation enthusiasts and visitors to the NSW South Coast, the latest addition expands HARS’ collection of former commercial aircraft and provides an opportunity to see an aircraft type that has played a significant role in Australian regional flying.
Fokker joins historic Qantas 747
Meekatharra will be displayed alongside another important aircraft from Qantas history, Boeing 747-400 VH-OJA “City of Canberra”.
Qantas donated the 747 to HARS in 2015 after 26 years of service. The aircraft has since become one of the museum’s most visited exhibits.
The arrival of the F100 gives HARS another connection to the evolution of the Qantas Group fleet, this time representing an aircraft widely associated with regional and resource-sector operations.
Preserving Australian regional aviation history
The Fokker F100 has been a familiar part of regional Australian aviation, particularly on routes where its capacity and operating characteristics suited smaller markets.
Its preservation at Shellharbour will allow future visitors to explore that chapter of Australian aviation as the aircraft type disappears from active QantasLink operations.
The donation also strengthens HARS’ role in preserving significant examples of Australian commercial aviation, with Meekatharra now transitioning from carrying passengers to telling the story of regional flying.
