De Havilland announces phased return to work and resumption of activities
By PLANT STAFF
Industry Aerospace aerospace COVID-19 manufacturingThe phased return to work follows the temporary suspension of manufacturing operations on March 20
TORONTO — De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited announced on May 4 that the company has started a phased return to work of employees and a measured resumption of activities.
In the first phase, approximately 100 employees have returned to work and De Havilland Canada is focused on resuming pre-flight activities and delivery of Dash 8-400 aircraft. The phased return to work, which follows the temporary suspension of manufacturing operations on March 20, is being undertaken in consultation with customers.
“In harmony with ongoing efforts to curtail the effects of COVID-19, De Havilland Canada is glad to start welcoming our employees back to work to resume aircraft pre-flight activities and prepare for upcoming deliveries to our customers,” said Todd Young, COO, De Havilland Canada, in a prepared statement. “The health and safety of our employees, customers and suppliers is of the utmost priority and as such, we will continue to work closely with government agencies and the custodian of the Toronto Site, to ensure that protocols and processes are in place for a safe operational environment.”
De Havilland Canada teams are responding to requests relating to the reconfiguration of Dash 8 aircraft to support aerial transport services and the delivery of essential cargo during the pandemic. As announced by De Havilland Canada on April 23, Transport’s Canada’s approval of a new Simplified Package Freighter configuration that can transform the Dash 8-400 aircraft passenger cabin to carry light freight can be a solution for operators to redeploy aircraft. De Havilland Canada has prepared a Service Bulletin that provides instructions on implementing the reconfiguration.
The company also announced that the De Havilland Component Solutions (DCS) program is available to provide component management support to Dash 8-400 aircraft operators, and on April 28, the company delivered the first Dash 8-400 aircraft since the suspension of manufacturing operations.
