Twin Otters Heading To The Mideast

Viking Air Limited, which recently restarted the production-line for its 20-passenger DHC-6 Twin Otter as the "Series 400," recently received a firm order for 10 aircraft from Emirates Advanced Investments (EAI) headquartered in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The contract was signed by the two companies at the Paris Air Show this week.

This order brings to more than 40 firm and optioned Series 400 Twin Otters announced since production's official launch in April of this year, as reported by ANN. Deliveries to Viking customers are scheduled to begin in April 2009; EAI expects its first airplane in the fourth quarter of 2009.

Viking officially announced its production restart in April 2007 and since then it has received 40 firm and optioned orders for the "Series 400" Twin Otters. Deliveries to Viking customers are scheduled in April 2009. EAI expects its first aircraft in the fourth quarter of 2009.

"The reputation this airplane has earned in the most severe operating conditions -- ice, snow, desert and water -- has made it, literally, the only airplane in its class," said Viking president David Curtis. "We welcome EAI to our family of customers, and we believe they won't be disappointed in their decision."

Incorporated in 1970, Viking acquired the type certificate and production rights to the Twin Otter from de Havilland Canada/Bombardier Aerospace in early 2006. The original de Havilland Canada Twin Otters were built between 1965 and 1988, during which time 844 examples were delivered worldwide. More than 600 remain in active service today.

Viking owns the type certificates for the de Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk, DHC-2 Beaver, DHC-2T Turbo Beaver, DHC-3 Otter, DHC-4 caribou, DHC-5 Buffalo, DHC-6 twin Otter and DHC-7 DASH 7 and has been providing all product support functions for the fleet since May 2005.

Emirates Advanced Investments (EAI) is a growth-oriented and diversified investments establishment based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Driven by global cooperation and regional advancement, EAI's primary focus is on channeling and developing advanced technologies and high-quality services to support the strategic industrial growth of the region.

FMI: www.vikingair.com