Ameriflight has agreed with Jetstream Aviation Capital to lease and deliver 15 Saab 340B(F) aircraft converted to freighters.
The first aircraft will be added in the fourth quarter of this year. This type of fleet will be used to support a growing demand, which includes Ameriflight’s supply chain services, dedicated operations, and regional feeder service for overnight express transportation in conjunction with DHL, FedEx, and UPS.
See also: First Saab 2000 conversion to freighter begins
A turboprop aircraft mega-fleet
As reported from Amerijet, they chose the Saab 340B because of the aircraft’s exceptional safety record and compelling operating economics.
Jetstream states that the aircraft can carry 3,400 kg at between 1,000 mm and 1,600 mm at a speed of 474 km/h (186 mph). It features bulk and pallet cargo flexibility with a space volume of 36 m2.
«We are proud to partner with Jetstream to operate the Saab 340B at Ameriflight. This aircraft offers the market the best combination of cubic capacity and cost, which will best suit our customers and their growing needs for years to come,» said Paul Chase, CEO of Ameriflight.
«Expanding our fleet and ultimately our business is a great opportunity not only for our customers, but also for our employees,» Chase concluded.
«We are pleased that Ameriflight, one of our longest standing customers, has selected the Saab 340B freighter provided by us,» said Jetstream CEO Stuart Klaskin.
According to aeronautical intelligence platform Ch-Aviation, the airline has 52 Beech 99s, 25 Beech 1900s, thirteen EMB120s and 41 Fairchild Metroliner SA227s.
Ameriflight operates from fifteen bases throughout the United States, connecting more than 200 destinations on 1,500 weekly flights.
The bases are in Phoenix (PHX) in Arizona; Burbank (BUR) and Ontario (ONT) in California; Spokane (GEG) in Washington, Portland (PDX) in Oregon; Omaha (OMA) in Nebraska; Manchester-Boston (MHT) in New Hampshire; Lansing (LAN) in Michigan; San Antonio (SAT) and Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) in Texas; Aguadilla (AGU) and San Juan (SJU) in Puerto Rico; Cincinnati (CVG) in Kentucky.
