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Tag: Dash 8

  • De Havilland Canada Brings Starlink In-Flight Internet on Dash 8 Fleet 

    Satellite Wi-Fi Connectivity Now Available for Dash 8-400 Operators Worldwide  

    Calgary, AB, September 17, 2025 – De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited (De Havilland Canada) is pleased to announce the retrofit option of Starlink in-flight internet on its Dash 8-400 aircraft. This advancement brings reliable, high-speed Wi-Fi to one of the world’s most versatile aircraft, setting a new standard for in-flight connectivity in regional aviation.  

    Starlink will be available as a ‘factory option’ through De Havilland Canada’s OEM Refurbishment Program or as a retrofit solution for in-service Dash 8-400 aircraft. The installation is designed for minimal downtime and integrates seamlessly with existing aircraft systems.  

    We look forward to our customers introducing this exciting new product to passengers in the coming weeks by equipping their Dash 8-400 fleets with reliable in-flight connectivity. This milestone marks the first De Havilland Canada aircraft in the world to deliver the service and will provide passengers with seamless, gate-to-gate internet access—even when flying in remote or previously underserved regions.  

    “The addition of Starlink on the Dash 8-400 demonstrates our commitment to continued investment in our products and to providing cutting-edge solutions for our customers,” said Ryan DeBrusk, Vice-President, Sales and Marketing, De Havilland Canada. “With this technology, passengers can enjoy reliable, high-speed internet access for streaming, browsing and other real-time online applications – bringing the regional flying experience in line with today’s traveller expectations.”  

    Flying millions of passengers worldwide, the Dash 8 aircraft continues to be a mainstay of regional travel, known for its performance, reliability, and sustainability. This latest enhancement further strengthens its position as the aircraft of choice for modern, connected regional operations.  

    About De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited  

    De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited (De Havilland Canada) is a cornerstone of Canadian aerospace innovation, proudly designing, building, and supporting aircraft in Canada for the global market. Every aircraft we produce creates high-value jobs, strengthens our national aerospace industry, and contributes to a resilient and growing economy.  

    Built in Canada. Made for the world.  

    With a fleet of more than 5,000 aircraft delivered to operators worldwide, De Havilland Canada has earned a global reputation for rugged, reliable performance and exceptional customer support. Our aircraft connect people and places—from the most remote communities to the busiest regional hubs—carrying millions of passengers and critical cargo every year.  

    Built to operate in the toughest environments, De Havilland Canada aircraft are trusted for a wide range of missions, including aerial firefighting, search and rescue, medical evacuation, surveillance, and more. Our near-century-long legacy is driven by a passionate Canadian workforce dedicated to shaping the future of regional and missionized aviation.  

    Discover more at: www.dehavilland.com  

  • De Havilland Canada Introduces New Avionics Suite for Dash 8 100 and 200 Aircraft

    CALGARY, Alberta, April 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — De Havilland Aircraft of Canada (DHC) today announced that it has launched the development of a new avionics solution for the Dash 8 100 and 200 aircraft. With our partner Universal Avionics, a new customized Universal InSight avionics suite is now under development and will be available for customers wishing to upgrade their aircraft.

    “We are pleased to introduce an upgraded avionics suite for our Dash 8 100 and 200 customers,” said Jean-Philippe Cote, Vice President of Programs and Business Improvement for De Havilland Canada. “This upgrade will ensure that these rugged and reliable aircraft will be flying for many years to come.”

    In cooperation with our partners Universal Avionics and JANA Inc., DHC is developing an avionics upgrade that will increase navigational capabilities and improve safety by providing improved situational awareness for pilots, making it an excellent solution for current operators. The certification of the new avionics’ solution is anticipated to be obtained in the first half of 2026. Widerøe’s Flyveselskap AS will be the launch customer for the upgrade program.

    Universal’s InSight flight display system installation on the Dash-8 adds five high-resolution LCD displays with improved synthetic vision and digital engine indication, replacing aging CRT equipment to remove unnecessary weight making this an upgrade a significant improvement over the current avionics suite.

    “Partnering with Universal Avionics to upgrade our Dash 8 100 & 200 aircraft reinforces De Havilland Canada’s commitment to investing in the fleet and delivering modernized and reliable solutions to our customers. The new avionics provides a good solution to replace components difficult to replace and repair,” said Cote. “This solution is part of our overall goal as a company to keep our existing fleet flying.”

    About De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited
    With more than 5,000 aircraft delivered, De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited (De Havilland Canada) is well established across the globe and our talented team of aviation professionals is dedicated to advancing our near-100-year reputation for excellence in innovation, production, and customer support. Our aircraft operate reliably in some of the world’s harshest climates and provide vital connections between rural communities and urban centres – transporting essential cargo and millions of passengers annually. Our aircraft also support a wide variety of special mission operations including aerial firefighting, search and rescue, medical evacuation, reconnaissance, and coastal surveillance. Visit: dehavilland.com.

  • Prime minister, premier called out to support De Havilland strikers

    Unifor National President Jerry Dias speaks at De Havilland rally.

    August 24, 2021 – 12:00 AM

    August 24, 2021

    TORONTO – Unifor National President Jerry Dias is calling on the prime minister and the Ontario premier to state publicly that there will be no government money for De Havilland if Unifor members are not building the Dash-8 airplane.

    “I’m reaching out to Justin Trudeau today and saying Justin you better come out today to say that not one nickel of federal government money will ever see the pockets of Longview if they try to screw the 700 families in Downsview,” Dias told a rally of striking De Havilland workers and supporters today.

    Members of Unifor Locals 112 and 673 have been on strike since July 27. Parent company Longview Aviation Capital announced earlier this year it would no longer build the new Dash 8-400 aircraft at the Downsview plant. Dias said the Dash-8 program has long relied on government support, and that both levels of government need to make it clear those days are over without a fair deal.

    “The province didn’t put hundreds of millions of dollars into this program so the jobs could go to Alberta,” Dias said.

    In Thunder Bay, Premier Doug Ford called moving the Dash-8 out of Ontario “disgusting” and vowed to fight any such move.

    Speakers at the rally pointed to the 700 families who rely on the plant to support their families, and called on Longview to return to the bargaining table.

    “You might have bought the De Havilland name, but it was the workers who built that name,” said Local 673 President Maryellen McIlmoyle. Local 112 President Scott McIlmoyle said these have been “by far the most frustrating” negotiations he has ever encountered. “Longview has folks at the table who can’t make decisions,” he said.

    Despite a court injunction limiting picketing last week, Dias said no one will be allowed into the plant until a deal is reached.

    About Unifor

    Unifor is Canada’s largest union in the private sector and represents 315,000 workers in every major area of the economy. The union advocates for all working people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in Canada and abroad, and strives to create progressive change for a better future.

  • De Havilland workers rally to keep 700 jobs in Ontario

    TORONTO, Aug. 23, 2021 /CNW/ – Unifor will hold a rally and news conference at the De Havilland picket line on Tuesday, August 24, 2021, where workers are on strike to stop their wealthy corporate owners from moving Dash 8 aircraft production, putting 700 jobs at the Toronto facility at risk.  

    Unifor National President Jerry Dias at the De Havilland picket line (CNW Group/Unifor)
    Unifor National President Jerry Dias at the De Havilland picket line (CNW Group/Unifor)

    “Our union cannot and will not stand idly by as the future of hundreds of highly-skilled workers’ jobs are in jeopardy, threatening the aviation sector’s post-COVID economic recovery,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. “Workers deserve better than to be kicked to the curb during a once-in-a-century pandemic by a company whose owner happens to be the wealthiest woman in the country.”

    The labour dispute at De Havilland is at the centre of the crisis in Canada’s aerospace sector. Workers have been on strike since July 27, 2021 over the future location of the De Havilland Dash 8 program. Workers at De Havilland, owned by Sherry Brydson of the Thomson family, have built the iconic Dash 8 for generations. The absence of a settlement leaves 700 advanced manufacturing jobs at risk with the current Downsview plant scheduled to close at the end of 2021.

  • Department of Fisheries and Oceans shows off new surveillance plane in Campbell River

    From Campbell River Mirror – link to VIDEO and source story

    The Dash-8 aircraft has longer range and newer technology than predecessor

    RONAN O’DOHERTY | August 9, 2021

    Click to watch video

    Poachers beware! The Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada has a new tool, and they will be using it to preserve the marine ecosystems of the beautiful B.C. coast.

    The new Fisheries Aerial Surveillance and Enforcement Dash-8 plane arrived at its new home at the Campbell River Airport on July 21, and has been flying almost every day since.

    The Beechcraft Super King Air plane which served the purpose beforehand is being replaced by a larger craft with top-of-the-line radar, photo, and video technology.

    Local detachment commander Joe Knight said the old plane could fly for about four hours in a row.

    “This thing can go for eight-to-nine hours in the air,” he said, “So it gives us a way bigger range on the coat. We can go way off shore, and don’t have to refuel.”

    Knight, only half joking, noted how pleased some of the fishery officers were about the new plane having a washroom.

    “The flyers really appreciate that a lot,” he said. “It’s just a lot more comfortable plane with a bigger range and capacity to more.

    Acting Regional Director Nicole Gallant was excited to speak about the Dash-8.

    “It will help make sure that our fisheries management measures and the Fisheries Act and regulations are being adhered to,” she said.

    “This is going to help us to protect the resource, and make sure that species like salmon, Southern Resident killer whales… and other species are being protected. It’s a critical role that fishery officers play, and this plane will be one of the tools that we will be adding to our fleet.”

  • Chorus Aviation Announces Second Quarter 2021 Financial Results

    Chorus Aviation Announces Second Quarter 2021 Financial Results

    Q2 2021 Key Metrics

    • Net income of $21.5 million, or $0.12 per basic share; a quarter-over-quarter decrease of $7.6 million primarily due to the continued impact of COVID-19 on results related to off-lease aircraft, negotiated amendments to certain lease agreements including extensions, the 2021 CPA amendments and lower unrealized foreign exchange gains of $10.7 million.
    • Adjusted net income1 of $11.4 million, or $0.06 per basic share; a decrease of $10.3 million quarter-over-quarter primarily due to the previously noted impact of COVID-19 on results and a reduction in earnings due to a lower US dollar foreign exchange rate.
    • Adjusted EBITDA1 of $76.9 million; a decrease of $14.2 million over second quarter 2020.
    • Liquidity of $177.9 million.
    • Collected approximately 67.0% of the Regional Aircraft Leasing segment’s lease revenue in the second quarter.

    Recent Accomplishments

    • Revised capacity purchase agreement (‘CPA’) with Air Canada, enhancing Jazz’s position as the exclusive Air Canada Express operator of 70-78 seat regional capacity until the end of 2025 with the addition of 25 Embraer 175s to the Covered Fleet, and is currently the sole provider of Air Canada Express services.
    • Completed a public offering and concurrent private placement for gross proceeds of $145.1 million.
    • Remarketed three Dash 8-400s to two new leasing customers, Sky Alps of Italy (two aircraft) and one Dash 8-400 to National Jet Express, a subsidiary of Australian aviation operator, Cobham Aviation Services.
    • Secured a three-year contract with Purolator for air cargo charter services, executing on Chorus’ growing capabilities in this market segment.
    • Awarded a three-year contract to upgrade and modify Transport Canada’s National Aerial Surveillance Program fleet of three Dash 8-100 and one Dash 7-100 aircraft with new surveillance equipment.
    • Awarded a new five-year contract to provide fixed-wing air ambulance service for Ambulance New Brunswick further extending its 25-year relationship.
    • Awarded, in partnership with General Dynamics Mission Systems – Canada, an eight-year contract for the in-service support of the Canadian Armed Forces manned airborne intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance program.
    • Executed long-term leases with Connect Airlines for two off-lease Dash 8-400s, marking the successful placement of all Dash 8-400s repossessed in 2020 and reducing the number of off-lease aircraft from 13 to eight.

    HALIFAX, NS, Aug. 11, 2021 /CNW/ – Chorus Aviation Inc. (‘Chorus’) (TSX: CHR) today announced second quarter 2021 financial results.

    “Our second quarter delivered net earnings of $0.12 per basic share or $0.06 on an adjusted basis. We are managing our business well through these unprecedented times and continue to report positive financial results. While our second quarter earnings were negatively impacted by certain aircraft being off-lease, negotiation of certain lease amendments including extensions, the 2021 CPA amendments, and a lower US dollar exchange rate, I am pleased with the progress made in reducing debt and the stability we are seeing in lease rent collections,” stated Joe Randell, President and Chief Executive Officer, Chorus Aviation Inc.

    “On the leasing front, with the addition of Connect Airlines of Boston as a new leasing customer, we’ve now remarketed all of our off-lease Dash 8-400 aircraft. We repossessed these aircraft in 2020 and reconfigured them for return-to-service at our facilities in North Bay and Halifax. I’m proud of our team’s collaborative efforts in finding opportunities and delivering integrated solutions to place these assets with new customers in this very challenging environment.

    “Our recent contract awards at Voyageur have expanded our reach into cargo operations and special mission work in the aerospace and defense sectors. Work under our new contract with Transport Canada has begun and we anticipate beginning to generate revenue at the end of the third quarter. Our new partnership with General Dynamics Mission Systems – Canada is in the initial stages as we prepare for the first aircraft arrival scheduled in September with the expectation of being fully operational by the third quarter of 2022.

    “The transition of the E175s into the Air Canada Express fleet is progressing very well, and we anticipate completing the induction of these 25 aircraft by the end of this month. We’re very pleased to be recalling employees as regional flying resumes.

    “Overall, I’m pleased with how we’re navigating through this ongoing crisis. We’ve created additional balance sheet flexibility by significantly reducing our adjusted net debt, and we’re successfully remarketing off-lease aircraft by putting these assets to good work with new customers,” concluded Mr. Randell.

    (more…)

  • Union ratifies deal with Bombardier at Downsview; talks with De Havilland continue

    From CTV News – link to source story

    The Canadian Press Staff | Sunday, August 1, 2021

    Unifor

    A Unifor flag seen at a rally in Regina. (Brendan Ellis/CTV News)

    TORONTO — Unifor says members of two of its locals have ratified an agreement with Bombardier Aviation at its Downsview plant in north Toronto.

    Unifor National President Jerry Dias says in a statement that the three-year collective agreement approved by members of Local 112 and 673 makes “significant progress” on key issues such as pensions, as well as on job protection against outsourcing and the use of contractors.

    Workers will see raises of 0.5 per cent in Year 1, 0.75 per cent in Year 2 and one per cent in Year 3.

    The workers launched a strike late last month against the business jet manufacturer and De Havilland, which it says had made Dash 8 turboprops at the facility.

    Unifor says the ratified deal covers approximately 1,500 Bombardier Aviation workers, and runs from June 23, 2021 to June 23, 2024.

    But it says 700 De Havilland workers remain on strike as negotiations between it and the company continue, with a dedicated picket line in operation at the De Havilland area of the facility.

    “As the industry recovers from this once-in-a-century pandemic and Bombardier prepares to move production to a new facility at Pearson Airport, these collective agreements will ensure our highly skilled members will maintain wages, pension, benefits and other working conditions that are among the best in the industry,” Dias said in the statement.

    The union has said the future of the Dash 8 program is the focus of talks with De Havilland.

    De Havilland announced earlier this year that it would no longer produce new Dash 8s at the facility beyond currently confirmed orders. De Havilland indicated two years ago that work will end at Downsview once lease agreements for the land expire.

    This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 31, 2021.

  • Production of De Havilland turboprops key to negotiations as strike deadline nears

    From City News 1130 – link to source story

    BY ROSS MAROWITS, THE CANADIAN PRESS | Jul 25, 2021

    The exterior of the Bombardier Global 7500 jetline is photographed during a press conference event in Mississauga on Wednesday, December 4, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Tijana Martin

    The union representing Bombardier and De Havilland aerospace workers in Toronto are threatening a strike this week unless negotiations can guarantee Dash 8 turboprop jobs remain in the GTA.

    After a three-week cooling-off period, separate talks were set to resume Sunday ahead of a Tuesday strike deadline.

    Unifor national president Jerry Dias said the negotiations are about “protecting the kind of highly skilled advanced manufacturing jobs we need now more than ever.” 

    About 2,200 members of Unifor Local 112 and Local 673 at Toronto’s Downsview plant manufacture Bombardier’s Global business aircraft and until recently the Dash 8 turboprops for De Havilland Canada. 

    The labour negotiations come at a time when the aviation sector is taking baby steps to recover from government-forced shutdowns of international commercial travel because of COVID-19.

    With the COVID-19 pandemic taking a bite out of aircraft sales, hundreds of aerospace employees are on layoff as production winds down on the Dash 8.

    The regional aircraft is used by airlines including WestJet, Porter and Jazz.

    The union wants De Havilland, whose parent company is Longview Aviation Capital Corp., to commit to making the Dash 8 somewhere in Greater Toronto when production resumes.

    “When they say to me we don’t have any sales on the horizon, I believe them. But the bottom line is, if they’re going to build that plane our members are building it,” said Dias, who began his career working at the Downsview plant in the 1970s.

    Longview bought the turboprop program from Bombardier for $300 million in June 2019 and formed a holding company called De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Ltd. 

    The company announced earlier this year that it would no longer produce new Q400 aircraft at the facility beyond currently confirmed orders. De Havilland indicated two years ago that work will end at Downsview once lease agreements for the land expire.

    Dias fears De Havilland plans to move production to its facilities in Alberta.

    He said the company refused to bargain any sort of scope clauses that would limit production to somewhere in the GTA, including Pearson International Airport where Bombardier has broken ground on a new facility for its Global business jets.

    “Their silence on the matter is very troublesome,” he said in an interview. “The bottom line is we’ve got a lot of people have worked there for a lot of years and have worked on this program and they deserve the right to continue to build the program.”

    De Havilland said it believes the Dash 8 has a future despite the challenges faced by the industry because of the pandemic. 

    “However, the company cannot and will not rush to a decision on future production location, nor negotiate a site plan in public,” it said in an email.

    “We are eager to work in partnership with the union as we chart a sustainable long-term future for aircraft manufacturing. But that future relies on a concerted effort to transform the business to the circumstances we are facing.”

    De Havilland said the union must agree to “a fair and reasonable” collective agreement that is fundamental to the company’s future investment in the aircraft.

    Unifor is negotiating separately with Bombardier, with the two sides battling over a variety of items including wages and working conditions.

    However, Dias said a strike would affect operations of both companies because of their shared driveway, entrance and exit.

    “The bottom line is, if we have a strike with either of the two, the entire facilities are down,” he said, adding that there’s a lot of solidarity among members because many worked side-by-side for 25 to 30 years.

    Unifor negotiated a contract with Bombardier in 2018 that expired in June. They committed not to sell the Dash 8 program and then did just that.

    “So the mess we’re in now by and large they created. So if they end up being caught in the crossfire, well then too bad for them. They created a mess in the first place.” Dias said.

    Bombardier said talks are progressing “constructively” after both sides agreed to a brief pause but the company declined to comment on “hypothetical scenarios.”

    “Bombardier negotiations with Downsview employees have a history of positive outcomes – we’ve concluded agreements for nearly two decades,’ it said in a statement. 

    “Right now, Bombardier is focused on reaching an equitable agreement that helps preserve jobs and positions Bombardier and Unifor members for success as the business aviation industry rebounds.”

    Workers in Toronto have built Dash-series aircraft since 1946, including the Dash 8 series for more than 30 years. 

    The federal and Quebec governments recently announced a $700-million injection into the aerospace industry, including nearly $70 million for aircraft engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney to develop the first sustainable hybrid-electric prototype propulsion system with various partners, including DHC and the Dash 8. 

    Bombardier sold Downsview, a 148-hectare tract of land that used to be a military airport, to Canadian pension manager Public Sector Pension Investment Board in June 2018 for US$635 million or net proceeds of US$550 million after costs.

    Unifor wants the federal and Ontario governments to press De Havilland to maintain jobs in the province especially after approval of severing the land in Downsview was approved on the premise that jobs would be protected, said Dias.

    This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 25, 2021.

  • UPDATED: Cape Breton debut of PAL Airlines may be facing another delay

    From Saltwire – link to source story

    Low booking reason for changing start date once more

    Ian Nathanson · Updated: June 16, 2021

    A PAL Airlines Dash 8-100 aircraft, the plane to be used when the carrier starts offering Sydney-Halifax flights. Service was expecting to start June 28, but now looks like it will launch the end of July. -- CONTRIBUTED
    A PAL Airlines Dash 8-100 aircraft, the plane to be used when the carrier starts offering Sydney-Halifax flights. Service was expecting to start June 28, but now looks like it will launch the end of July. — CONTRIBUTED

    SYDNEY, N.S. — The newest airline set to fly out of Sydney airport is expressing concern over the low number of bookings in place for its Sydney-Halifax route, and says it will be delaying its start date once again.

    Janine Browne, PAL Airlines' director of business development and sales, says the airline has been watching Nova Scotia's plans to perhaps open up for domestic air travel. — CONTRIBUTED - Contributed
    Janine Browne, PAL Airlines’ director of business development and sales, says the airline has been watching Nova Scotia’s plans to perhaps open up for domestic air travel. — CONTRIBUTED – Contributed

    PAL Airlines announced during a presentation to Cape Breton Regional Municipality council that the June 28 scheduled launch of the airline at J.A. Douglas McCurdy Sydney Airport will now be moved toward the end of July.

    “It is a likely change — it has not been confirmed in our system just yet,” said Janine Browne, director of business development and sales for the St. John’s, N.L.-based airline. “We have not seen the bookings that we would like to have seen. We hope that that does change, and that bookings will pick up in the next month.”

    Expanding outside the Newfoundland and Labrador area, PAL Airlines initially planned to launch at Sydney airport on May 31. Due to a surge in COVID-19 cases at the time and the ensuing “circuit-breaker” lockdown put into effect in Nova Scotia, that launch date was then pushed back to June 28.

    With Nova Scotia just announcing its second phase of easing pandemic restrictions and its participation in the Atlantic bubble for June 23, Browne said she would like to see the Sydney-Halifax route “meet a demand that exists in the market, and that we’re able to launch a sustainable, long-term flight” for that route.

    Browne told the Cape Breton Post that so far the date change appears to apply only to the Sydney-Halifax flight, “but we’re monitoring the demand in all the regions we’re deploying. It’s looking very strong in some regions, and it’s not in others.” 

    BASED ON DEMAND

    Sydney airport CEO Mike MacKinnon, who confirmed July 30 as PAL’s newest restart date, said the airline is taking these date adjustments seriously.

    Mike MacKinnon - Contributed
    Mike MacKinnon – Contributed

    “Their business decisions are based on the demand out there,” he said. “And because of the uncertainty of the restrictions in our province, that has curtailed consumer demand up until this point.

    “Now we, or the airline, might start to see bookings gather some steam with the news about the Atlantic bubble coming back and hopefully more good news will come in the conversations between the premiers to talk about reopening our region to the rest of Canada.”

    PAL’s three-times-a-week departure schedule from Sydney and three-times-a-week arrival schedule from Halifax on alternate days will remain the same, Browne said.

    Browne and PAL’s sales director Steve Short also told council of its pricing scale for the eventual launch: starting with an introductory price of $69 one-way — one of four different pricing levels offered.

    More information is available at PAL Airlines’ website.

  • Ravn Alaska Commences Cabin Disinfection Procedures on Dash 8 Aircraft with Autonomous UVC Disinfecting Robot Manufactured by aero hygenx

    RAY, the robot delivers high-frequency UVC light that destroys up to 99.9% of pathogens – including the COVID-19 virus.

    OTTAWA, ON and TORONTO, May 27, 2021 /CNW/ – Ravn Alaska has introduced RAY, the autonomous robot to disinfect its Dash 8 aircraft cabins between flights. Designed and manufactured by aero hygenx inc. in Canada, with support from De Havilland Aircraft of Canada (“De Havilland Canada”), the robot emits ultraviolet-C (UVC) light to provide consistent, sustainable and chemical-free disinfection of cabin air and surfaces between flights. Ravn Alaska, which operates 10 Dash 8-100 aircraft manufactured by De Havilland Canada, is one of the first airlines to utilize the robot on regional aircraft.

    Image of RAY in Cabin of Dash 8-100 Aircraft (CNW Group/De Havilland Aircraft of Canada)
    Image of RAY in Cabin of Dash 8-100 Aircraft (CNW Group/De Havilland Aircraft of Canada)

    RAY delivers high-frequency UVC light that destroys up to 99.9% of pathogens – including the COVID-19 virus. The use of UVC light reduces the need for frequent chemical-based disinfection that could impact aircraft interior surfaces and sensitive equipment, and leave residues that may come into contact with passengers and crew.

    “We are enhancing our ability to keep our passengers safe by including the chemical-free disinfection method provided by RAY among the procedures we are utilizing to sanitize our Dash 8 aircraft,” said Rob McKinney, Chief Executive Officer, Ravn Alaska. “We anticipate that RAY will be a valuable asset to our airline and for other airlines around the world, as together we seek to rebuild passenger confidence and help our industry recover.”   

    aero hygenx (CNW Group/De Havilland Aircraft of Canada)
    aero hygenx (CNW Group/De Havilland Aircraft of Canada)

    “The transportation industry has been brought to its knees as a result of the pandemic. Now, more than ever, rapid, consistent, safe, chemical-free disinfection of air and surfaces is vital for employee and passenger safety in the fight against current and future pandemics,” said Arash Mahin, Chief Executive Officer, aero hygenx. “We are grateful for the support De Havilland Canada provided to optimize RAY for use in the Dash 8 Series aircraft. We are confident operators will see significant savings compared to traditional chemical-based cleaning methods.”

    “We look forward to seeing the deployment of many more UVC-light emitting, RAY robots among operators of Dash 8 aircraft,” said Robert Mobilio, Vice President, Engineering and Quality, De Havilland Canada. “De Havilland Canada has been working throughout the pandemic to help our operators with solutions that assist in returning airline fleets to service, so we were happy to support aero hygenx in customizing RAY for use on regional aircraft and are very pleased that a long-time Dash 8 operator such as Ravn is part of this journey.”

    Optimized for use on Dash 8 Series aircraft, RAY delivers the required UVC dosage and 360° coverage throughout the cabin, lavatories and crew area. The disinfection procedure between flights on Dash 8 Series aircraft can be completed in under five minutes. Unlike traditional, chemical-based cleaning methods, no additional time is required for chemicals to dissipate before crew and passengers can board the aircraft. RAY is monitored continuously through HygenX Stream, and operators can access valuable key metrics and reports related to fleet disinfection, unit health monitoring and predictive maintenance. HygenX Stream also facilitates the customization of the level of disinfection based on flight duration and regional risk factors. It also provides the ability to integrate into operators’ mobile Apps in order to boost passenger confidence. 

    About Ravn Alaska

    Ravn Alaska is a regional airline headquartered in Anchorage that services 14 communities across Alaska. The airline provides daily flights aboard its safety-rated De Havilland Dash 8-100 fleet, charter flights and cargo shipments. Visit https://ravnalaska.com/ to book a flight and learn more about Ravn. 

    About aero hygenx

    aero hygenx is headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, where it has developed and manufactures its revolutionary autonomous UVC robot called RAY. Its founders and executives have a passion for the aviation industry and a combined 80+ years of experience in safety and quality management, airline operations, software, electrical engineering and electromagnetics. The company’s vision is to instill confidence in passengers to travel again and set a new precedent in the transportation disinfecting industry. www.aerohygenx.com

    About De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited

    De Havilland Canada’s portfolio includes support to the worldwide fleet of Dash 8 Series aircraft (Dash 8-100/200/300/400 aircraft), as well as production and sales of the Dash 8-400 aircraft. With its low carbon footprint and operating costs, industry-leading passenger experience and jet-like performance, the Dash 8-400 aircraft, which seats up to 90 passengers, is the environmentally responsible choice for operators seeking optimal performance on regional routes. De Havilland Canada is a part of the Longview Aviation Capital family of companies.  https://dehavilland.com

    De Havilland, Dash 8, Dash 8-100/200/300 and Dash 8-400 are trademarks of De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited.