Southern Airways Express (9X, Memphis International) has ordered two Tecnam P2012s with options for a further four exercisable within the next 12-18 months.

"We looked at every current nine-seat option, and we always came back to the Traveller as the best aircraft for our specialty routes. With the Traveller, we can offer our passengers both a great in-flight experience and, due to the low operating costs, a very affordable fare," Chairman and Chief Executive Stan Little said.

Manufactured by Costruzioni Aeronautiche TECNAM, the twin-piston aircraft will seat up to nine passengers with one or two crew members. Little told ch-aviation the first aircraft should be delivered in early June 2022, followed by the second in early July. He hinted that the P2012s would be used to broaden Southern Airways Express's footprint beyond its current network but did not disclose any details.

Southern Airways Express operates a fleet comprising Cessna (single turboprop) 208 Caravans, Beech (twin piston) Super King 200s, and PC-12s. Its Hawaiian subsidiary Mokulele Airlines (Kona) is in the process of adding Saab 340Bs. The regional group has twenty Regent Craft Seagliders on order and ambitious growth plans, largely based on essential air service (EAS) contracts.