In July, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) upgraded Taikoo (Shandong) Aircraft Engineering Company Limited’s (STAECO) Maintenance Organisation Certificate, meaning the company is now officially authorised to conduct maintenance checks on Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 (DHC-8-400) aircraft. STAECO has been developing DHC-8-400 capability since 2012 and the additional authorisation has greatly enhanced its capabilities in providing heavy maintenance services to regional aircraft types.
As a new generation turboprop aircraft, the DHC-8-400 holds a significant position in Asia’s regional air transport market. With Japanese carriers All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Japan Air Commuter (JAC) operating a total of 30 DHC-8-400 aircraft, STAECO is now preparing an application to the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) for DHC-8-400 maintenance authorisation. STAECO expects the first DHC-8-400 aircraft to arrive at its facility in September.