Jazz will fly Dash 8s converted to freighters

TORONTO – Jazz Aviation LP will be the first operator for the recently approved Dash 8-400 Simplified Package Freighter.

Under the agreement, Jazz has ordered the Service Bulletin and conversion kits for up to 13 Dash 8-400 aircraft. De Havilland Canada will be the exclusive supplier of all future Dash 8-400 aircraft Simplified Package Freighter modifications for Jazz’s fleet.

The reconfigured planes will provide a potential total payload of up to 17,960 pounds and a total cargo volume of up to 1,150 cubic feet per aircraft. Conversion is achieved by removing the seats and seat track covers in the passenger cabin and adding up to 17 nets, said Todd Young, De Havilland Canada’s COO.

“We are delighted to be the first operator for the Dash 8-400 Simplified Package Freighter and congratulate De Havilland Canada and Transport Canada on offering this sound solution,” said Randolph deGooyer, president of Jazz Aviation LP.

“This innovative opportunity will allow us to redeploy aircraft while contributing to the collective fight against COVID-19 by supporting our customer – Air Canada – and the delivery of essential cargo.”

“We will work with Jazz to quickly put their Dash 8-400 Simplified Package Freighters into service and look forward to supplying this solution to other Dash 8-400 aircraft operators around the world to assist in the re-deployment of their fleets to meet the growing demand for airlift of essential supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Young said.

Jazz is owned by Chorus Aviation Inc. it operates the Air Canada Express brand, and has a workforce of approximately 5,000.