Papua New Guinea, Turkey, Nigeria, Chile, Tahiti and Panama Added To International Sales List

In addition to the prior announcement of delivery to Papua, New Guinea, Tahiti, Turkey, Nigeria, Chile, and Panama have all been added early in 2012 to the growing international list of Twin Otter Series 400 sales, totaling fifteen aircraft amongst the six countries and bringing the Series 400 Type Certificate recognized country total to fifteen.

Seabird Airlines DHC-6-300 Twin Otter

Seabird Airlines of Istanbul, Turkey have signed a multi-aircraft deal along with an exclusive sales representative agreement covering Twin Otter Series 400 aircraft sales in Turkey. The package deal was announced yesterday at the Singapore International Air Show, and covers six aircraft configured with straight floats for water based commercial operations. The first aircraft is scheduled for delivery in 2014.

Caverton Helicopters of Lagos, Nigeria has added the African country to growing Twin Otter Series 400 demographics. The company currently operates two of the legacy Twin Otter aircraft for passenger transfer, and will be adding a new Series 400 to the roster later this year. This will be the first Series 400 aircraft to operate in western Africa.

An undisclosed customer has signed, at list price, a $28 million deal for four new aircraft, destined for Chile and Peru. While the Series 400 currently in operation in Peru, it will be a new type and the first of its kind for the Chile based operation. Rounding out the expanding international customer list is the sale of one float equipped Series 400 to an undisclosed VIP customer in Panama and one wheel equipped Series 400 Twin Otter to an undisclosed VIP customer in Tahiti, making them the fifth and sixth new countries for the type announced in 2012.

“The growing list of international customers is market validation and approval for the new Twin Otter Series 400,” said Robert Mauracher, Viking’s vice president Business Development. He adds, “the aircraft’s popularity with our new customers is due to its operational versatility, quick change interior and internal passenger to cargo flexibility.”

The growing popularity of the Series 400 Twin Otter around the world is largely due to its ability to operate from remote and unimproved airfields in any operating environment, due to its robust design and equalized maintenance program. It features many modifications that improve safety and increase performance over the Series 300 Twin Otter, the most notable of which is the integration of the Honeywell Primus Apex avionics suite. Other changes include upgraded Pratt & Whitney PT6A-34 engines, use of composite materials, light weight interior, simplified electrical and LED lighting systems, as well as value added options such as de-ice and air-conditioning.

FMI: www.vikingair.com