LONDON – Jetstream Aviation Capital announced in September the delivery of one Saab 340B (MSN 334) and one Pilatus PC-12 (MSN 157) to Southern Airways Express.
Saab and Pilatus are each the second aircraft of their respective types delivered by Jetstream to Southern and are part of an ongoing multi-aircraft commitment between Jetstream and Southern.
The acquired Saab 340B, serial number MSN 340B-334, was manufactured in March 1993. The aircraft then was delivered to Metroflihgt airline.
It then flew for American Eale, Simmons Airlines, Wing West Airlines, Chicago Express Airlines, ATA Connection, Colgan Air, United Express and Seaborne Airlines. The Saab carries 34 passengers on board and is propelled by two General Electric GE CT7-9B turboprop engines. In Southern Airways Express aircraft will operate within the airline’s Hawaiian Islands network.
The second Pilatus PC-12 to join the Southern Airways Express fleet is an aircraft with serial number MSN 157 and registration N493SA. The Pilatus 12 version of the PC-12/45 was produced in mid-1996.
The aircraft was then delivered to a private customer. It then flew for Avcon Air Charter, Swiss Jet and Air Engiadina. The Pilatus carries 11 passengers on board and is propelled by a single Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67B turboprop engine.
Stuart Klaskin, Jetstream Chief Executive Officer said: “We are pleased that Southern Airways Express, one of our best customers, has selected the Saab 340B and Pilatus PC-12 to be provided by Jetstream”
“The 340B’s combination of operational capability, economic efficiency, and ongoing support from our partners at Saab for the airframe and General Electric for the engine continue to make this the aircraft of choice for passenger operators worldwide. It is our privilege to welcome Ameriflight to the Saab 340 community.”
Southern Airways Express
Founded in 2013, is an FAA Part 135 air carrier and one of the nation’s leading commuter airlines. In addition to the Saab and Pilatus aircraft, the company operates Beech King Air 200s and Cessna 208 Caravans.
Southern Airways is the United States’ largest operator of Cessna Caravan aircraft on scheduled passenger service. Southern Airways and its affiliate, Mokulele Airlines of Hawaii, have been leasing customers of Jetstream since 2015.
The airline’s current fleet consists of 40 aircraft: 30 Cessna 208 Caravan, one Cessna Citation II, three Beechcraft King Air 200, three Pilatus PC-12, two Saab 340B, and one Tecnam P2012. The carrier is expecting delivery of 187 aircraft: 100 Cessna 208 Caravan, 65 Pilatus PC-12, 20 Regent Seaglider and two Tecnam P2012.
Jetstream Aviation Capital
The company was founded in 2010 and it is a Miami-based aircraft lessor specializing in commercially operated regional turboprop aircraft.
It’s worth adding that Jetstream is the largest global owner of Saab 340 and Saab 2000 aircraft with associated spares and engines. Jetstream’s portfolio of over 150 aircraft also includes Cessna Caravan, Embraer EMB-120 and Pilatus PC-12 passenger and cargo aircraft.
In May the company also signed one of the biggest lessor contracts this year. Ameriflight announced the lease of 15 Saab 340B(F) cargo aircraft. A new type in the Ameriflight fleet will arrive to meet the growing demand in the e-commerce and express cargo market.
