Palma to buy 20 Dash aircraft

Business Bureau, Gulf Today

De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited announced on Monday during the Dubai Airshow that lessor Palma Holding  (Palma) has signed a Letter of Intent to purchase 20 Dash 8-400 aircraft. The parties are working to finalize a purchase agreement.

“Palma became the first lessor worldwide to order the Dash 8-400 aircraft in its dual-class configuration and this first decision led us to develop other opportunities for the Dash 8-400 aircraft,” said Moulay Omar Alaoui, President, Palma Holding Limited. “We have leased new Dash 8-400 aircraft to Ethiopian Airlines, RwandAir and Falcon Aviation, and we see many more opportunities for this versatile aircraft.”

“From a lessor’s point of view, we see the focus from De Havilland Canada as a very strong value lever for the Dash 8-400 aircraft,” said Anas Bennani, Managing Director, Palma Holding Limited. “The value of the asset not only comes from its outstanding operational flexibility, passenger amenities, and low environmental footprint, but also the focus of the De Havilland Canada sales and support teams on this product. We are confident that De Havilland Canada’s renowned manufacturing expertise will only enhance the future of this aircraft program as we look ahead at developing new airline customer relationships.”

“We are very encouraged by Palma’s Letter of Intent to purchase 20 Dash 8-400 aircraft, especially as it comes so soon after the transition of the Dash 8 aircraft program to De Havilland Canada,” said Todd Young, Chief Operating Officer, De Havilland Canada. “The Dash 8-400 aircraft has been proving itself in the Middle East and Africa for quite some time and we feel that we are on the brink of even greater success as we continue to work with lessors such as Palma to support the development of the region’s air transportation networks.