New Country Opens up For DHC-6 Twin Otter Series 400

Amid the bustle of this week's 60th Farnborough International Airshow, Viking Air Limited of Victoria, BC accepted another deposit for the new DHC-6 Twin Otter Series 400, sold to Montenegro Charter Company, of Podgorica, Montenegro.

The aircraft, scheduled for delivery in the second quarter of 2011, will be outfitted with Wipline 13000 amphibious floats, Pratt & Whitney PT6A-35 hot & high performance engines, intermediate flotation gear, air conditioning, a full-IFR Apex Primus avionics suite, and an upgraded high-end interior, to be used for tourist operations throughout the Mediterranean country.

"The new 400 Series Twin Otter suits the company's needs perfectly as a tourist and charter aircraft," said Predrag Bozovik, principal of Montenegro Charter Company. "This is an economical choice for a commercial operator."

David Curtis, Viking president & CEO is "pleased to add a new operator and a new country to the DHC-6 Twin Otter family in the EU."

The DHC-6 Twin Otter was first introduced to the aviation market by de Havilland Canada in 1966, where it saw nearly twenty years of production and 844 aircraft built, of which more than 600 aircraft are still in operation today.

Viking expects customer deliveries of the new 400 Series to commence in 2009, with commitments to countries around the world, including Australia, French Polynesia, Republic of Maldives, Republic of Malta, Seychelles, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, and the United States. With current orders and options exceeding 40 aircraft, and market forecasts for 400 aircraft within 10 years, Viking will be a large part of the continued success of the 19 seat regional aircraft.

Viking provides OEM support for the worldwide fleet of de Havilland heritage line of aircraft (DHC-1 through DHC-7), and is part of Westerkirk Capital Inc., a Canadian private investment firm with substantial holdings in the hospitality, aviation and real estate sectors.

FMI: www.vikingair.com