SAS says that it intends to deploy the first of its grounded Bombardier Dash 8 (Q400) aircraft this Thursday (4 October).
The news follows two landing gear incidents involving SAS Q400 aircraft, that saw the Scandinavian airline ground its entire fleet while urgent inspections were carried out.
Operators worldwide are gradually returning their Q400 regional aircraft into service, following an Airworthiness Directive from Transport Canada.
SAS suffered two incidents in three days involving its Q400 fleet ” 23 aircraft from SAS and four from partner carrier, Wideroe ” but is now progressively returning its machines to the air.
A SAS statement said: ”SAS plans to deploy the first Q400s on October 4, with the remaining aircraft returning to operation during the following days.
”Deployment of the Q400 will thus occur successively, resulting in further cancellations during week 40.”
The airline notes that it has voluntarily carried out extra inspections in addition to the replacements and inspections prescribed by the authorities and manufacturer.
Test flights have been scheduled to ready the aircraft for service.