INDUSTRY HAPPENINGS SOAR TO NEW HEIGHTS

Seattle Aviation Solutions

Headquartered in Seattle with a facility in Dubai, Seattle Aviation Solutions (SAS) is a globally renowned aftermarket distributor for business and commercial aircraft parts.

Specializing in batteries, life vests, avionics, and much more, SAS’s 24/7, 365 AOG team stands ready to support your aircraft needs. As a channel partner with Bombardier and distributor for reputable brands including Concorde Batteries, Ametek Ameron, Hutchinson, Whelen, and many more, SAS boasts $15 million in stocked inventory.

In 2019, SAS emerged into the commercial aviation space, tearing down multiple 737 aircraft and building a dedicated commercial aftermarket team. SAS continues to grow with the acquisition of Four Star Accessory Overhaul in December 2022 and National Aviation, Inc. in January 2023.

SAS is a 2023 Diamond Level Sponsor of the Northwest Aviation Conference & Trade Show. Stop by their booths near the Keynote area (#724-725, 810-811) and check in on this new exhibitor!

Alaska Airlines Says Farewell To The Dash 8-Q400

In January 2023 Horizon Air retired its last Bombardier Dash 8 Q400. The announcement comes exactly 22 years after the aircraft made its first flight for the regional airline.

“We’re at a unique moment in time,” said Joe Sprague, president of Horizon Air, remarking on the retirement of Horizon’s iconic Dash 8 fleet. “With our shift to a single fleet of E175 jets, we’re laying a major new cornerstone of the foundation for our future.”

Flying two smaller fleets of aircraft wasn’t sustainable or cost effective for Horizon. Two of everything was required: parts, tools, training programs and more. Aside from pilots, every workgroup needed to know two aircraft types. Moving to one fleet type allows us to better focus all of our resources, which is important during a time of unprecedented pilot attrition throughout the regional airline industry.