Marshall Islands set for Saabs
p. 36 · Read in the full issue
THE Republic of the Marshall Islands has placed an order for two Saab 2000 jetprops and taken options on two further aircraft.
The aircraft will be operated by the country’s national carrier, Air Marshall Islands, with the first aircraft scheduled for delivery in early-1994. The Republic of the Marshall Islands is the first Asia- Pacific customer to place a firm order for Saab Aircraft’s sixth customer in the region.
The aircraft will be used to upgrade services on Air Marshall Island’s mid- Pacific route network which spans an area equivalent in size to Western Europe. The high speed Saab 2000 will initially operate on the principal dom estic trunk routes linking Majuro and Kwajalein, as well as international ser vices to Kiribati, Tuvalu and Fiji. The 58 seat aircraft will replace smaller, older turboprops and bring flight time savings of over three hours each way between Mujaro and Nadi. Passengers will also enjoy greater cabin comfort and en hanced quality of services on these long routes, typical in the Pacific.
In a statement, Mr Amata Kabua, President of the Marshall Islands said, “As a country that only established independent nation status a few years ago, the 1990 s represent a crucial phase in building up the economic strength and self-sufficiency of the Marshall Islands.
The Saab 2000’s unique combination of speed and capacity is perfect for our market requirements and will form a firm foundation for a regional transport infrastructure in the central Pacific region.”
Air Marshall Islands currently oper ates a mixed fleet of jet and turboprop equipment. A Douglas DC-8 operates direct services from Majuro and Kwajalein to Honolulu and Fiji, while an older 44 seat turboprop performs all other international services and domestic trunk routes. Two unpressurised 19-seat turboprops provide services to over 20 island destinations within the country.
Mr Jelf Marsh, President of Saab Aircraft International, said “Air Marshall Island’s long thin sectors re quiring high speed service, but unable to support the economics of a small jet, represent the type of market for which the Saab 2000 was designed. We are delighted to welcome another customer who recognises the common sense of
combining jet performance with
turboprop economy.”
Total orders and options for the Saab 2000 now stand at 189, with first delivery of the type scheduled for the second half of 1993. The Saab 2000 and Saab 340
family of regional airliners are produced
by Saab Aircraft Division of Saab-Scania at their facilities in Linkoping Sweden. □