TABY begins Saab conversions

Scotland-based regional carrier Loganair awarded a contract to Sweden-based Täby Air Maintenance (TAM) for the conversion of two Saab 340B passenger aircraft to freighter configuration. Conversion will take place at TAM’s Örebro facility, where the first unit [187, ex-Aerolitoral] has already been inducted, and is expected to be redelivered this month. A second 340B freighter (197), will follow, with redelivery expected by the end of the first quarter.

Last year, TAM and Kansas City-based Jet Midwest partnered to obtain FAA certification and jointly market the conversion program. Earlier this year, TAM’s Saab 340A/340B configuration program became the first to receive both EASA and FAA approval, launching another entrant into the turboprop freighter market. Following conversion, a Saab 340 freighter offers a maximum cargo payload of 3.8 tonnes, more than double the 1.5-tonne capacity of a Cessna Caravan, but less than half the 8.5 tonnes available on an ATR 72.