With a heavy heart, the Dutch Hawker Hunter Foundation (DHHF) has announced the termination of its operations, marking the end of an era for aviation enthusiasts and the historical preservation of the iconic Hawker Hunter aircraft in Europe.

The foundation, which has been a stalwart in maintaining and showcasing these classic British-designed fighter jets, has cited insurmountable regulatory and operational challenges as the primary reasons for this difficult decision.

In a detailed statement released by the DHHF, the foundation expressed its profound regret over the closure and the subsequent divestment of its prized Hawker Hunter Mk68, registered as G-EHLW. The aircraft, which has been stationed at Horizon Aircraft Services Ltd. (HAS) in St Athan, Wales, since July 2022, was expected to receive a Full Permit to Fly from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) following extensive maintenance and inspections. However, nearly two years later, the permit remains elusive.

“When Hunter N-322/G-EHLW was finally flown out of Altenrhein, Switzerland to St Athan on a CAA Permit to Test & Ferry in July 2022 - after very thorough maintenance and CAA-inspections on site -, we were confident that after minor adaptations and modifications the CAA would grant a Full Permit to Fly, and that our new Hunter would arrive at Leeuwarden Air Base at the end of summer,” the statement read. “It has worked out very differently. The way UK CAA has handled our application, has taken endless time and effort without any commitment to a timetable or outcome.”

The prolonged delays have not only stalled the aircraft’s operational readiness but have also compounded other regulatory and logistical issues. The foundation highlighted the strain on its Continued Airworthiness Management Organization (CAMO) and the availability and currency of qualified aircrew and ground crew as significant factors in their decision to cease operations.

“Evaluating DHHF’s business against the actual state of affairs and future scenarios, the Board has concluded that it is no longer possible to operate its Hunter in a way, which conforms to the professional standards DHHF has applied without compromise from the start of its Hunter operations in 2007,” the statement continued.

This announcement follows a previous decision in 2022 to terminate operations of their single-seat Hunter F.6A N-294. At the time, the foundation cited a sharp decline in the number of both military and civilian airshows in the Netherlands and neighboring countries, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, rising costs, and increasingly restrictive regulations. The N-294 was subsequently sold to Lortie Aviation in Canada to join a fleet providing battle training for the Canadian and United States air forces.

“Against this background, DHHF had to conclude that a two aircraft operation is no longer economically viable, and that we have to return to the initial years when DHHF operated just her dual Hunter N-321,” the foundation stated in 2022. “Therefore, Hunter F.6A N-294 will not return to the sky this spring. She has been sold to Lortie Aviation, Canada where she will join the existing Hunter fleet to provide battle training for the airforces of Canada and the United States. Hawker Hunter N-294 with her screaming ‘blue note’ has been with us for about 12 years, and she will be sorely missed.”

Despite the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions and efforts to bring the Hunter Mk.68 N-322 to Leeuwarden Air Base, the foundation’s aspirations have been thwarted by regulatory hurdles. The N-322, described as a “real stunner” and equipped with a powerful Avon engine, was intended to replace the N-321 for training and airshow appearances.

The DHHF’s decision to terminate operations marks the end of a significant chapter in the preservation and celebration of aviation history. The Hawker Hunter Mk68 N-322, revered as the last airworthy specimen of this iconic fighter in Europe, will unfortunately never grace Dutch airspace. The foundation’s commitment to maintaining professional standards and the legacy of these aircraft will be remembered by aviation enthusiasts and historians alike.

Founded in 2007, the Dutch Hawker Hunter Foundation has been dedicated to preserving and showcasing the iconic Hawker Hunter aircraft. Through meticulous maintenance and participation in airshows, the DHHF has celebrated the rich history of this British-designed fighter jet, providing aviation enthusiasts with an opportunity to witness its prowess and elegance in flight.