Saab 340

Twin Turboprop

The Saab 340 is a Swedish twin-turboprop regional airliner that became one of the most successful commuter aircraft of the 1980s and 1990s. Developed by Saab and Fairchild in a transatlantic partnership, the 340 first flew in 1983 and entered service with Crossair in 1984, filling the 30-37 seat niche for short-haul regional routes across Europe and North America. Powered by two General Electric CT7 turboprops, the aircraft was prized for its rugged construction, excellent short-field performance, and ability to operate economically on thin routes that couldn't support larger jets. Over 450 were built before production ended in 1999, with the type serving airlines from Mesaba and Colgan in the United States to regional carriers across Scandinavia, Australia, and Southeast Asia. The 340's pressurized cabin, 25,000-foot service ceiling, and 285-knot maximum operating speed made it competitive with early regional jets on sectors under 500 miles, while its twin-engine reliability and lower operating costs kept it in widespread service well into the 2000s. Today the Saab 340 has largely transitioned from scheduled airline service to cargo operations, corporate shuttles, and specialized roles including maritime patrol and airborne survey work. Its robust airframe and proven General Electric powerplants have given many examples second careers hauling freight for operators like FedEx Feeder and regional cargo carriers. SkyMeter has tracked 8 flights across 2 airframes and 2 operators, with ODONNELL TIMOTHY J the largest observed operator.