Saab 340

Twin Turboprop

The Saab 340 is a Swedish twin-turboprop regional airliner developed jointly by Saab and Fairchild in the early 1980s, entering service in 1984 as one of the first modern pressurized turboprops purpose-built for the 30-37 seat commuter market. Powered by two General Electric CT7-9B engines producing 1,870 shaft horsepower each, the 340 carved out a niche as a rugged, economical workhorse for short-haul routes where jet economics didn't pencil out. Its high wing and T-tail configuration gave it excellent short-field performance and stability in turbulence, making it popular with regional carriers operating into smaller airports across North America, Europe, and Australia throughout the 1990s. Though production ended in 1999 after 459 aircraft were built, the type remains in active service with cargo operators, charter companies, and a handful of scheduled carriers, prized for its reliability and low operating costs. The 340's pressurized cabin can cruise comfortably at 25,000 feet with a maximum speed of 285 knots, and its approach speed of around 110 knots makes it manageable at airports with shorter runways where larger regional jets cannot operate. SkyMeter has tracked flights across airframes and operators, with the largest observed operator.