Textron Aviation has secured a purchase agreement with Algerian-based Tassili Travail Aérien (TTA) for two Cessna SkyCourier twin-turboprops, marking the first sale of the SkyCourier in Africa — and notably, the first order for an aeromedical-equipped variant of the aircraft. Deliveries are expected next year, with the aircraft to be operated from bases in Algiers and Hassi Messaoud.

TTA, a subsidiary of Algeria’s state-owned oil and gas giant Sonatrach, provides passenger transportation, aeromedical, and special-mission services across the country. Highlighting the SkyCourier’s adaptability, Bob Gibbs, vice president of special mission sales at Textron Aviation, stated:

“The Cessna SkyCourier is a versatile aircraft capable of supporting challenging missions, high payloads, and short, rough runways worldwide. TTA’s mission package includes the advanced Lifeport Plus powered medevac system, allowing quick transitions between passenger, cargo, and medevac operations.”

The high-wing SkyCourier can be configured for freight, passenger, or combi roles, offering a 6,000-pound payload, a large cabin door accommodating three LD3 containers, and a 19-passenger layout with spacious cabin windows and separate crew and passenger doors.

New Multi-Mission King Air Unveiled at Paris Air Show

Alongside the SkyCourier order, Textron Aviation showcased its latest multi-mission Beechcraft King Air demonstration aircraft at the Paris Air Show. Displayed at Pavilion A2, the King Air features extended-range fuel tanks, a factory-installed extended utility nose capable of housing up to a 20-inch EO/IR sensor, wing hardpoints, and a versatile cargo door designed for air ambulance and freight missions.

The aircraft is compatible with night vision imaging systems and includes a mission rack with displays, a mission computer, VIP seating, AvFab and LifePort mission seats, and a LifePort medevac stretcher.

Gibbs emphasized the King Air’s broad utility:

“The King Air is an ideal platform for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, utility transport, training, and more. Over the last few years, we have seen strong European demand for our cargo door King Air 360C to support essential air ambulance services.”

With over 7,800 King Airs delivered since 1964 to customers ranging from civilian operators to every branch of the U.S. military, the King Air continues to serve reliably in both civil and special-mission roles worldwide.