The aircraft manufacturer de Havilland Aircraft of Canada sees great potential for converting Dash 8-400 turboprop aircraft into freighters. Production of this pattern has been suspended for some time due to a lack of new orders.

The Canadian manufacturer believes that the Dash 8-400 uses significantly less fuel compared to jets in this size class and can also take off and land at airports that are not accessible to jet aircraft. Competitor ATR has been offering freight variants for many years. Many passenger aircraft have also already been converted.

De Havilland has the Dash 8-400 Quick Change option (Dash 8-400 QC), the Dash 8-400 Package Freighter option (Dash 8-400 PF) and the Dash 8-400 Freighter with Large Cargo Door option (Dash 8- 400 F-LCD).

"As the cargo market continues to grow, our cargo aircraft conversion solutions will add to the overall value of the Dash 8-400 and expand its already high yield capabilities," said Jean-Philippe Côté, vice president of programs at De Havilland Canada. “We are ready to provide a wide range of OEM support as requested by our operators, from kit installation to on-site support through our global support infrastructure,” said de Havilland.