Saab Aircraft Leasing has memorable 2006
The demand for turboprop aircraft in 2006 surpassed even the 2005 demand, a year which became the year of the “turboprop comeback”. In 2006, Saab Aircraft Leasing almost doubled its normal amount of aircraft transactions, making it the best year in ten years of leasing activities.
SAL signed up a grand total of 58 aircraft transactions during 2006, including 18 for Saab 2000s and 40 for Saab 340s (See attached Appendix for details). This compares with 32 transactions in 2005.
The aircraft were signed with existing customers such as Bimini, Carpatair, Colgan, Eastern, Lithuanian, OLT, Pacific Coastal and REX. Aircraft were also signed with new customers such as Ginn Development, Hendrick Motorsports, Jetline, Prince Edward Island Air, Saint-Ex, Clevair and SkyExpress.
Included in these orders were four dedicated cargo Saab 340As to Jetline (Ukraine), Prince Edward Island Air (Canada) and Saint-Ex (Mexico), which brings the total cargo fleet to 18 aircraft.
“This has truly been a fantastic year for us made possible by the resurgence of the turboprop and the hard work of our team.” said Michael Magnusson, President and CEO of Saab Aircraft Leasing. “We have also noted an increase in the number of non-SAL Saab aircraft transactions, providing yet more proof of the popularity and durability of this these aircraft types.”
The worldwide fleet of Saab 340s and Saab 2000s is approximately 480 units operated by 60 customers in 28 countries. By December 2006, the Saab 340 fleet had accumulated 12.3m flight hours. Highest time aircraft is at 46,500 hours and highest time cycles is at 54,300. The Saab 2000 fleet had accumulated over 1m flight hours by December. Highest time aircraft is 24,600 hours and 24,200 cycles reflecting a younger fleet.
Saab Aircraft Leasing manages a portfolio of 150 Saab 340 and Saab 2000 aircraft leased to 16 customers in 10 countries. With 32 employees, the company’s head office is in Washington, DC and has regional offices in Stockholm, Sweden and Tokyo, Japan. SAL is part of Saab AB.
Saab is one of the world’s leading high-technology companies, with its main operations focusing on defence, aviation, space and civil security. The group covers a broad spectrum of competence and capabilities in systems integration.
For further information please contact:¨
Michael Magnusson, Saab Aircraft Leasing, Telephone +1 703 406 7220
www.saabaircraftleasing.com
www.saabgroup.com
APPENDIX
Saab Aircraft Leasing reports the following new business during 2006:
Bimini (USA) One Saab 340A Sale
Clevair (Austria) One Saab 340A Sale
Jetline (Ukraine) One Saab 340A Cargo
Pacific Coastal (Canada) Three Saab 340A Sale
PrinceEdward Air (Canada) One Saab 340A Cargo Sale
REX (Australia) Five Saab 340B Lease
REX (Australia) 25 Saab 340B-Plus Lease
Saint-EX (Mexico) Two Saab 340A Cargo Sale
SkyExpress (Poland) One Saab 340A Lease
Eastern (UK) Four Saab 2000 Lease
Carpatair (Romania) Five Saab 2000 Lease
Hendrick Motorsports (USA) One Saab 2000 Sale
OLT (Germany) One Saab 2000 Lease
Pakistan Air Force Six Saab 2000 Sale (AEW Conv.)
Ginn Development One Saab 2000 Sale
Total 58 (18 S2000s and 40 S340s)
Bold indicates new customers to the Saab family.