Transport Canada has given De Havilland approval to convert Dash 8-100/200 and Dash 8-300s into Simplified Package Freighters.
The freighter conversion will support the COVID-19 pandemic response, and 748 Air Services has ordered the Service Bulletin and conversion kits four Dash 8-100s.
Nairobi, Kenya-based 748 Air Services will be the first operator of the Dash 8-100 Simplified Package Freighter, and it has also ordered the Service Bulletin and conversion kits for their three Dash 8-400s.
Moses Mwangi, managing director of 748 Air Services, said that the COVID-19 pandemic has restricted passenger and cargo movements indefinitely: “Movement has been limited to humanitarian cargo only. We have responded with Air Cargo solutions to support the humanitarian, natural resources and government sectors, who will benefit from the conversion of our four Dash 8-100 aircraft and three of our Dash 8-400 aircraft into Simplified Package Freighters.”
Todd Young, chief operating officer of De Havilland Canada, said, “We commend them [748 Air Services] as they reconfigure some aircraft in their fleet to continue their excellent work delivering essential passenger and cargo services in the eastern and central regions of Africa.”