MARKET REPORT - Saab Aircraft Leasing

MESSAGE FROMMichael MagnussonCONTENTSGolden Air accepts sixth Saab 2000 ..........................................3With this issue of Saab Market Report,we approach the end of 2009, and itwill probably be a year most airlinepeople want to forget. It seems like wehave reached the “bottom” in trafficdecline, and there is a very cautiousoptimism that traffic should begin itslong road to recovery. The question is:how fast will the traffic recover? Somebelieve that it will take both 2010 and2011 until we are fully recovered.Even with the turmoil in the industry,we see some interesting positivetrends. One example is Thailand.Over the years, Thai International has served many domestic markets with largeaircraft, at a loss. It was deemed politically incorrect to drop these domesticroutes. With the industry in “free fall”, such old dogmas go out the window.What is happening now is various local regionals are filling the void left by Thaiwhen it dropped these destinations. These regionals want to “right-size” theaircraft utilized and have chosen the Saab 340 to do the job. So overnight wehave two regional operators already committed to incorporating Saab 340s, andin one case, even regional jets will be removed.Eastern supports oil operations with Saab 2000 .................... 4-5Wings of Europe launches two sister companies ................... 6-8PenAir adapts to Alaska’s Mt. Redoubt eruption ........................9Polish operators SprintAir and SkyTaxi displaycolorful liveries across European skies ............................... 10-11Saab profi le: Kjell Fredheim .....................................................12Rex introduces Electronic Flight Bag .................................. 13-14SkyBahamas readies for growth with Saab 340As ............. 15-17Argentine Air Force fl y four Saab 340Bs forPatagonia missions ............................................................ 18-19Mark your calendar .................................................................................. 19Saab operators map ............................................................................... 20Another major development for us is Mesaba’s (Delta) decision to reduce theirSaab 340Bplus flying and return these aircraft to us. This recent developmenthas provided us with the opportunity to offer new and existing operators theyoungest Saab 340s. In fact, the first two have already been placed with along-time Saab 340 operator.These are mid-1990 airframes with Gen III cabin interiors and Active NoiseControl systems. An advantage for new operators is we can offer a fleet ofaircraft with the same configuration and access to Saab’s Parts ExchangeProgram (PEP).On the Saab 2000 front, Saab has just completed its biennial operators conferencein Linköping. During this conference, various issues were discussedopenly between Saab, its customers and current suppliers. I believe it was avery useful exercise for everyone present. We at Saab need to hear from ourcustomers so that we can improve our programs to make both the aircraft andits operators competitive.Recently, we finished an unusual project which was supplying four completelyrefurbished Saab 340B aircraft, together with an extensive support and trainingpackage, to the Argentine Air Force. Saab won an international RFP to providethis package, and we did so on budget and on schedule. All are now in servicein some challenging environments in Patagonia. We have also reached thefinal stage in our delivery program of 340Bplus aircraft to Rex in Australia; thelast five aircraft will be delivered by early 2010. By then, Rex will have becomethe world’s largest Saab 340 operator showing the strength of the Australianregional market. The 30-seat Saab 340 is perfect for regional routes in theOutback, and Rex was recently selected as the most successful regional in theworld by a panel of experts at Aviation Week & Space Technology magazine.Cover photo by Eryl CrumpMarket Report is published bySaab Aircraft LeasingEditor: Kelly MurphyEmerald Mediakelly@emeraldmediaus.comEurope: Alison ChambersEmerald Mediaalison@emeraldmedia.co.ukDesign and Layout:Aeris Graphic Designjennifer@aerisgraphicdesign.comMichael MagnussonPresident and CEO, Saab Aircraft LeasingPrinted in USA September 2009©2009 Saab Aircraft