De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited has announced that the company is completing the aircraft currently under production. The announcement follows the ratification on October 26, 2021 of collective agreement extensions by members of Unifor Locals 673 and 112 who work at the Downsview site in Toronto.

De Havilland Aircraft of Canada issued this statement:

• The FAA and EASA approvals follow the approval by Transport Canada in 2020 that established the Dash 8-400 turboprop as the first regional aircraft and the only turboprop to meet ICAO Chapter 14 requirements
• As the aviation industry works to reduce the environmental impact of commercial aircraft, the Transport Canada, FAA and EASA approvals are a testament to the Dash 8-400 aircraft’s advanced design and position it well ahead of other regional jets and turboprops in delivering low community noise during take-off and landing
• Operators globally will benefit from these approvals by not having to re-fleet or re-engine in order to meet the industry’s most stringent noise reduction requirements
  

De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited has announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have issued approvals for the Dash 8-400 turboprop aircraft as having met the most stringent noise emission standards. The aircraft is therefore certified to Stage 5 standards set by the FAA and certified by EASA as having met ICAO Chapter 14 standards. The Dash 8-400 aircraft was the first propeller-driven aircraft, and also the first regional aircraft in the world, to meet ICAO Chapter 14 standards when it was certified by Transport Canada in 2020.

Featuring quiet, swept, six-bladed Dowty propellers on Pratt & Whitney Canada PW150A engines, the Dash 8-400 aircraft has once again proven to be an environmentally advanced design. Not only is it quiet on the outside, it is also quiet inside the cabin. In order to further boost the comfort for passengers, the Dash 8-400 aircraft is engineered with a newly improved, proprietary Active Noise and Vibration Suppression (ANVS) system that effectively reduces the propeller noise level inside the aircraft to maximize cabin comfort. The Dash 8-400 aircraft has been acoustically engineered to mitigate the detrimental effects of aircraft noise on human health – inside and out, on the ground and in the sky.

De Havilland Canada continues to make future-oriented investments to enhance the Company’s competitiveness and ensure that Dash 8 Series aircraft remain at the forefront of the regional aircraft market.

DHC-8-400 aircraft slide show:

DHC-8-400 aircraft gallery:

Unifor issued this statement:

More than 700 De Havilland workers at the Downsview plant remain on strike after the continued negotiations with the company failed to resolve the dispute.

“Union members at the Downsview plant have always clocked in together, worked together, bargained together, and, when necessary, gone on strike together,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President who started his career at the plant. “This situation was caused by Bombardier when they committed to not sell the Dash 8 program then proceeded to do just that.”

Unifor member with Unifor flag outside of Bombardier Aviation Downsview plant (CNW Group/Unifor)

More than 700 De Havilland workers at the Downsview plant remain on strike after the continued negotiations with the company failed to resolve the dispute.

“Union members at the Downsview plant have always clocked in together, worked together, bargained together, and, when necessary, gone on strike together,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President who started his career at the plant. “This situation was caused by Bombardier when they committed to not sell the Dash 8 program then proceeded to do just that.”

De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited has reaffirmed its long-term commitment to the global Dash 8 operator community and outlined the path forward for the Dash 8 aircraft program. While the pandemic has ravaged the global aviation industry, De Havilland Canada is making future-oriented investments in its organization, systems and infrastructure to enhance the Dash 8 platform for current and future aircraft operators.

“We fully expect worldwide demand for the Dash 8 to return once the industry has recovered from the pandemic, and the aircraft’s characteristics – including low operating costs, low emissions impact, and performance capabilities that support efficient regional operations – will make the Dash 8 an important part of the aviation industry’s post-pandemic recovery,” said David Curtis, Executive Chairman of Longview Aviation Capital, De Havilland Canada’s parent company. “The quality of the aircraft is demonstrated by the fact that we have significantly outperformed our competitors since the onset of the pandemic, delivering 11 aircraft to customers in 2020. While industry conditions remain challenging, we are looking to the future by enhancing our ability to support Dash 8 operators, and taking the necessary organizational steps to ensure we are ready to meet industry demand as the aviation industry recovers.”

Investing in the Dash 8 Platform

De Havilland Canada is introducing enhancements that will ensure the Dash 8 remains at the forefront of the regional aircraft market around the world:

• Investing significant capital in the Customer Services and Support team, distribution network and information technology to reduce the operating cost of the Dash 8 platform
• Developing upgrades and modifications to the Dash 8, including packages that create a best-in-class freighter with unmatched operating and financial attributes
• Introducing cabin refurbishment features such as an overhead bin extension solution which improves the cost-efficiency of in-service Dash 8
• Actively innovating across the aircraft platform, including product improvements that will reduce operating and ownership costs and help prepare Dash 8 fleets for the aviation industry’s move to greater sustainability.

In addition to these investments, De Havilland Canada continues to provide 24/7/365 customer support, and inventory over 35,000 part numbers required to serve the operating fleet from parts distribution locations in Canada and around the globe.

New Aircraft Production Pause

Given that prevailing industry circumstances have hindered the ability to confirm new aircraft sales, De Havilland Canada will not produce new Dash 8-400 aircraft at its Downsview site beyond currently confirmed orders. This is a responsible and prudent measure that reflects current industry conditions, and will limit strain on the market and De Havilland Canada’s supply base as the pandemic recovery occurs. Approximately 500 employees will be affected by the production pause.

De Havilland Canada’s objective is to resume new aircraft delivery at the earliest possible time, subject to market demand.

Downsview Production Site

The Downsview production site was sold by the previous owner Bombardier in 2018, with deadlines for the site and runway to be decommissioned. Pursuant to Bombardier’s sale agreement, the Dash 8 program’s current site lease expires in 2021. Accordingly, De Havilland Canada has begun preparing to leave the site over the latter part of the year. There are a number of excellent production site options in Canada, and the company will be ready to meet new aircraft demand as the industry recovers.

Added Mr. Curtis: “The transition from Downsview is a step in the planned evolution of the Dash 8 platform away from its former owner, and is an important part of our vision for Longview Aviation Capital as a leading global aviation company. While this evolution is taking place against the backdrop of unprecedented industry circumstances, we see a bright future for De Havilland Canada and the Dash 8. The Dash 8 is a segment defining aircraft, and it has never been in better hands – strengthened by being part of a robust aviation portfolio with patient long-term ownership. We are also the only company to have successfully re-launched an out-of-production aircraft, with our team bringing the renowned Series 400 Twin Otter back into production. We are fully committed to the Dash 8 and intend to further enhance its capabilities and performance, and remain a leader of the regional aircraft market of the future.

“We are sensitive to the impact that a production pause will have on our employees, and are committed to treating everyone with transparency and respect. This decision is no reflection on the quality of our team, which has performed exceedingly well through the disruptions of the past year.”

Today, at the Dubai Airshow, De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited (“De Havilland Canada”) announced that the Republic of Ghana has signed a Letter of Intent to purchase up to six Dash 8-400 aircraft. The country recently announced plans to launch a home based carrier in Accra, Ghana to serve domestic, regional and international routes.

One of Canada’s most iconic aircraft brands, De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Ltd., has returned to the skies.

Longview Aviation Capital is proud to reintroduce De Havilland Canada with its acquisition of the Dash 8 program—including the 100, 200 and 300 series as well as the in-production Q400 program.

Combining the Dash 8-400 aircraft with the existing Longview portfolio re-unites the entire De Havilland product line under the same banner for the first time in decades.

De Havilland first started in Canada in 1928 and with the design and production of the famous DHC-2 Beaver and the DHC-3 Otter, quickly established itself as one of the most accomplished aircraft designers and manufacturers in the country.

The 75 year-old brand is synonymous globally for expertise, excellence and reliability, and is responsible for building some of the most renowned aircraft in aviation history.

Operating independently for the first time in decades, De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited will enhance the tradition of excellence surrounding the Dash 8-400 by continually evolving to meet the needs of customers around the world.

At De Havilland we are proudly rooted in a rich history of constructing Canadian aircraft. Since 1928, the brand has consistently been recognized for its versatility and dependability. That established strong foundation is what De Havilland will build on for a bright future.

In addition to maintaining the Dash 8-400’s position as one of the world’s most important commercial aircraft, existing and potential customers of De Havilland can expect a focus on continued excellence in production, operations and servicing from Longview.

Our new corporate identity draws on the rich brand heritage.
De Havilland is excited about the global opportunities ahead for the Canadian based company and for the Dash 8-400 aircraft.