748 Air Services (IHO, Nairobi Wilson) will become the first airline to implement the newly certified cargo conversion for the Dash 8-100 turboprop.
De Havilland Aircraft of Canada (DHC, Toronto Downsview) said the Kenyan regional specialist would convert four of its seven Dash 8-100s into Simplified Package Freighters (SPF). Under Transport Canada specifications, the aircraft will have their passenger seats removed thereby allowing them to carry up to 2,950 kilogrammes of cargo, depending on each's exact specifications.
748 will also convert all three of its Dash 8-400s into freighters.
"The COVID-19 pandemic has presented us with many challenges, including broad government mandates that restrict the movements of both passengers and cargo for an indefinite duration. The 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," Managing Director Moses Mwangi said.
Transport Canada has also certified SPF conversions for Dash 8-200 and Dash 8-300 variants, although neither has yet been implemented by any airline.
Besides the ten De Havilland Canada turboprops, 748 Air Services also operates three Cessna (single turboprop) C208B Grand Caravans.
