THUNDER BAY - A new aircraft made its world-wide debut at a regional carrier last week.
Wasaya Airways added a Dash 8-100 package freighter to its fleet. The aircraft was converted from a passenger aircraft to a freighter by Voyageur Aviation Corp. in North Bay, Ont.
The Dash 8-100 has a payload of 10,000 pounds and officials with Wasaya say it can move freight faster and at a lower cost than other aircraft operating in the region.
“The addition of the Dash 8-100PF is an innovative game changer and an essential strategic advantage for Wasaya in our new business model," said Michael Rodyniuk, president and chief executive cfficer of Wasaya. "The Dash 8 100PF is built and converted here in Canada, designed for our rugged environment and perfectly suited to move cargo into and out of our remote communities with short, unimproved, gravel airfields.”
Rodyniuk commended the team from Voyageur Aviation for the conversion of the aircraft, which he says will give Wasaya a competitive edge in the region by reducing the cost of transporting goods to remote northern communities.
“The aircraft hits a definitive sweet-spot in the regional aircraft cargo marketplace. The payload to operational cost ratio is extremely favourable," said Scott Tapson, president of Voyageur Aviation Corp.
The Dash 8-100 was first revealed in North Bay last Thursday and will be transported to Thunder Bay in May. A second Dash 8-100 will be added to the Wasaya fleet later this summer.
