Kenya's 748 Air Services, which specialises in providing passenger and cargo services to humanitarian, natural resources and government sectors in Africa, has ordered the Service Bulletin and conversion kits for its four Dash 8-100 aircraft. De Havilland Aircraft of Canada has announced that Transport Canada has approved the conversion of Dash 8-100/200 and Dash 8-300 aircraft into Simplified Package Freighters in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 748 will be the first operator for the Dash 8-100 Simplified Package Freighter. 748 Air Services has also ordered the Simplified Package Freighter Service Bulletin and conversion kits for its three Dash 8-400 aircraft.

Headquartered at Wilson Airport in Nairobi, Kenya, 748 Air Services says it is a solution oriented company that looks to respond effectively to industry demands.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has presented us with many challenges including broad government mandates that restrict the movements of both passengers and cargo for an indefinite duration," says Moses Mwangi, managing director of 748. "Movement has been limited to humanitarian cargo only. We have responded with air cargo solutions to support the humanitarian, natural resources and government sectors, who will benefit from the conversion of our four Dash 8-100 aircraft and three of our Dash 8-400 (Q400) aircraft into Simplified Package Freighters. We are extremely grateful to De Havilland Canada and Transport Canada for providing these solutions quickly."

“We're delighted to announce 748 Air Services (K) Ltd as the first customer for the Dash 8-100 Simplified Package Freighter, and thank it for its order, which also includes conversion kits for its three Dash 8-400 aircraft. We commend it as it reconfigures some aircraft in its fleet to continue its excellent work delivering essential passenger and cargo services in the eastern and central regions of Africa," says Todd Young, chief operating officer, De Havilland Canada. “We continue to be highly focused on providing solutions to our operators as they seek mechanisms to redeploy their fleets in response to COVID-19. It is gratifying to know that we are succeeding in creating opportunities for our operators in these challenging times."

Approved by Transport Canada, De Havilland Canada's Service Bulletins allow Dash 8-100/200, Dash 8-300 and Dash 8-400 aircraft to be quickly converted into Simplified Package Freighters by the removal of seats and seat track covers in the passenger cabins. The converted Dash 8-100/200, Dash 8-300 and Dash 8-400 aircraft provide total potential cargo capacities of up to 6,500 lb, up to 9,625 lb and up to 17,960 lb respectively.