newstodate.aero
Feb 08, 2010 (newstodate): SAS is still the owner of six Bombardier Q400 aircraft, that have been out of service with the airline for almost three years.
In 2007 SAS grounded its entire fleet of 27 Bombardier Q400 aircraft following three incidents due to landing gear deficiencies.
21 of these aircraft have by now been sold or leased to other operators, while six are still carrying "for sale" signs.
While grounded, the Q400 fleet is still comprised by the prescribed maintenance program, and engines have to be run at fixed intervals to keep all systems alive.
All aircraft are thus fully operational and can be delivered to prospective customers at short notice, SAS says.
Among the customers for the 21 aircraft now sold are Malev that took four ex-SAS Q400 aircraft in August 2008, Austrian Airlines that acquired four ex-SAS Q400 aircraft in May 2008, and the Swedish operator Nord-Flyg that acquired one ex-SAS Q400 aircraft in March, 2008, for conversion to freighter.
In 2007 SAS grounded its entire fleet of 27 Bombardier Q400 aircraft following three incidents due to landing gear deficiencies.
21 of these aircraft have by now been sold or leased to other operators, while six are still carrying "for sale" signs.
While grounded, the Q400 fleet is still comprised by the prescribed maintenance program, and engines have to be run at fixed intervals to keep all systems alive.
All aircraft are thus fully operational and can be delivered to prospective customers at short notice, SAS says.
Among the customers for the 21 aircraft now sold are Malev that took four ex-SAS Q400 aircraft in August 2008, Austrian Airlines that acquired four ex-SAS Q400 aircraft in May 2008, and the Swedish operator Nord-Flyg that acquired one ex-SAS Q400 aircraft in March, 2008, for conversion to freighter.