De Havilland Canada announced a Letter of Intent for 20 Dash 8-400s on November 18 on Day 2 of the Dubai Air Show. The agreement is with Dubai-based lessor Palma Holding Ltd for a dual-class cabin configuration.
The announcement was made at the same time when most reporters were at the Emirates/Airbus-order presentation, but the news for DHC is no less significant. Following last Saturday’s deal for 3 Dash 8s with Elin Group, this second announcement is the single-biggest so far for DHC since it was launched last June as the successor to Bombardier’s program. Before that, the order from Spicejet for 25 firm and 25 options was the biggest in the Q-400- program.
DHC also announced an MoU for mutual cooperation between Palma Capital and Export Development Canada regarding aircraft procurement, leasing, and sale-leaseback of the 8-400 in the Middle East and Africa. According to DHC Chief Commercial Officer Todd Young the agreement opens up new opportunities for the propliner.