De Havilland’s Dash 8 Q400 series set to go quiet?

De Havilland Canada (DHC) will pause production of its Dash 8-400 once its order backlog is completed a company spokesperson has confirmed.

The Canadian aircraft manufacturer notified suppliers to stop delivering parts to avoid building the so-called “whitetails” – completed aircraft ahead of confirmed orders, a report by Leeham News has stated.

Currently, DHC has 17 Dash 8-400 orders scheduled for customers in 2021. There are two more Dash 8s in the backlog without identified clients, read the report.

De Havilland Canada will deliver Dash 8-400s to such customers as: Air Tanzania (one), Biman Bangladesh Airlines (two), Conair (two), Elin (three), Ethiopian Airlines (four), PAL Express (one), TAAG Angola Airlines (four). Two aircraft were assigned to unidentified customers.

“We continue to sell, deliver and support the Dash 8-400 while taking appropriate measures to safeguard our people and our business,” a spokesperson for DHC stated. “Our manufacturing operations have capacity to produce aircraft at our Downsview facility into 2023. However, we will not be producing “whitetails” and market demand will guide our future production plans for the Dash 8-400 aircraft.”

The manufacturer said it is in the process of investigating different options for the aircraft’s future and will release further details when plans are approved and confirmed.

“We are committed to nothing less than re-positioning the De Havilland Canada brand to the forefront of the regional aircraft and Canadian aerospace industry,” added DHC.