Saab Aircraft Leasing (SAL) and Piedmont Hawthorne have formed a new strategic alliance to offer non-airliner derivatives of the Saab 340A and 340B aircraft. Piedmont Hawthorne is currently preparing a Saab 340 corporate demonstrator, using one of SAL's portfolio aircraft, which will be available in the fourth quarter of this year. The partners are believed to have been eyeing the business/corporate market for some years.
"We have enjoyed the enormous popularity of the Saab 340A and 340B in scheduled revenue service for almost two decades," says Michael Magnusson, president and chief executive of Saab Aircraft Leasing. Alliance
"Saab, in alliance with Piedmont Hawthorne, believes that a specially configured derivative of the aircraft will enjoy similar success in the general aviation segment of our industry. "We are honoured to be tapping this growing market with a company that has demonstrated strong expertise in all facets of business aviation-corporate sales, MRO, FBO, and charter operations," he adds.
The Saab 340A has already been in corporate service _in both North and South _Africa with configuration carried out by Piedmont Hawthorne.
Source: Flight Daily News