Press Release

Issued by De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited.

November 19, 2015

Following an announcement earlier this year welcoming Manaus Aerotaxi Participacoes (MAP) to the Twin Otter Series 400 sales representative network, Viking Air Limited of Victoria, British Columbia, has now selected MAP as a factory endorsed service centre (FESC) for the Twin Otter aircraft in Brazil. Under Viking's FESC program, MAP based in Manaus, Amazonas will be responsible for providing authorized maintenance services to civilian DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft customers in Brazil.

With 20 years of experience operating and maintaining their own fleet of regional aircraft, MAP's demonstrated maintenance service capabilities will be an asset to new customers of the Series 400 Twin Otter in-country. MAP's central location in the heart of the Amazon rain forest has them well positioned to service customers in remote areas of northern Brazil, where the Twin Otter Series 400 aircraft will become an important connector for operators providing essential air transportation to areas lacking infrastructure development.

Certification of the Twin Otter Series 400 by the National Civil Aviation Agency of Brazil is expected in the first calendar quarter of 2016, and is an integral factor in moving forward with the FESC. The Brazilian market is predicted to expand rapidly once type certification is received, so establishing a qualified maintenance facility capable of servicing a large fleet was key during the FESC selection process.

“MAP is a well-known and well respected operator in northern Brazil who have continued to prove their commitment to the Twin Otter Series 400 program,” commented David Caporali, Viking's regional sales director for Latin America. “Not only did they join the Series 400 sales representative network earlier this year, but now they're offering to provide reliable maintenance services to Twin Otter operators in the country. We are excited to work with such a respected organization to bring the Twin Otter Series 400 to the people of Brazil.”

Despite recent economic instability in Brazil, MAP's confidence in the Series 400 Twin Otter as the perfect transportation solution for the region has led them to sign an LOI for the purchase of a Series 400 to operate from their base in Manaus.

“Having an aircraft at our facility will not only enhance our operation, but also allow us to show potential customers the unique capabilities of the Series 400 Twin Otter, and how well it performs in our extreme environment,” said Marcos Pacheco, ceo of MAP. He added, “We are looking forward to having the Series 400 join our operation.”