Todos
← Back to Squawk list
Saab considering return to civil aircraft manufacturing
Swedish manufacturer Saab is considering a strategic return to manufacturing regional turboprop aircraft after a 15-year hiatus. (www.flightglobal.com) Más...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
SAAB aviation and automotive where at some point the same company but they separated and the latter is in deep trouble after a failed attempt by GM to own them and make a go. The air division has a lot of Swedish government work including the Gripen fighter jet but frankly speaking they would be risking hundreds of millions of Euros in a crowded field of otherwise excellent turbo-pro aircraft.
What crowded field? Only the Q400 and ATR are still in production, and neither of them is available with less than 50 seats. The Beech 1900, Saab 340, and Embraer 120 fleets are all aging rapidly, with no obvious replacement.
The regionals are looking for 50+ seats, they are not in the small commuter sector which brings in little income.
Maybe they will produce a Saab 340C model, with newer technology engines.
It's about time. The ones they have now are getting old and falling apart.
I wouldn't say they are falling apart, but they have almost all been retired from the US fleets.