EASA approves Dash 8-400 for increased seating capacity

TORONTO — De Havilland Canada secured an airworthiness certificate from the EU civil aviation regulator for the increased seating capacity of its Dash 8-400 aircraft.

Launched in 2016 while the program was still under Bombardier’s ownership, the 90-seat layout entered service in 2018 with India’s SpiceJet.

But De Havilland Canada, which acquired the Dash 8-400 program in 2019, says that “based on consultations with current and prospective customers” there are opportunities to deploy higher-capacity versions in Europe.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency validated what DHC describes as “our extra-capacity solution of up to a 90-seat configuration” on 23 March.

“In general, the higher capacity of the Dash 8-400 creates opportunities for increased airline profitability while also reducing the aircraft’s already low carbon footprint per passenger,” says the Canadian turboprop manufacturer.