This article is based on an official press release from De Havilland Canada.

De Havilland Canada Delivers OEM Refurbished Dash 8-400 to TrueNoord for Nexus Airlines

On February 4, 2026, De Havilland Aircraft of Canada (DHC) announced the delivery of an OEM Refurbished Dash 8-400 to the specialist regional aircraft lessor TrueNoord. According to the company’s official statement, the aircraft is immediately being leased to Nexus Airlines, a regional carrier based in Western Australia.

This delivery underscores the growing importance of DHC’s OEM Certified Refurbishment Program. With the production of new Dash 8-400 commercial-aircraft currently paused, this program serves as a critical pipeline for operators seeking “like-new” turboprops to meet regional connectivity demands. The transaction, originally announced in September 2025, has now reached completion with the handover of the airframe.

Strengthening Regional Connectivity in Western Australia

The newly delivered aircraft will join the fleet of Nexus Airlines, a carrier launched in 2023 that serves remote and regional communities. Nexus currently holds an exclusive contract with the Western Australian Government to operate the Inter-Regional Flight Network (IRFN), connecting hubs such as Geraldton, Karratha, Port Hedland, and Broome.

In the press release, Nexus Airlines leadership emphasized that the acquisition aligns with their strategy to reinforce essential air services.

“This acquisition marks an important milestone in our fleet strategy… we are strengthening our commitment to providing reliable, community-focused air services in Western Australia.”

, Michael McConachy, Managing Director, Nexus Airlines

The Dash 8-400 is particularly well-suited for the vast distances of Western Australia, offering higher speeds and longer range compared to competitor turboprops. This capability allows Nexus to maintain efficient schedules across routes that often exceed 1,000 miles.

The Role of the OEM Certified Refurbishment Program

As the manufacturer evaluates a potential restart of the Dash 8 production line, the OEM Certified Refurbishment Program has become a primary vehicle for maintaining fleet relevance. Through this program, DHC acquires used airframes and upgrades them to current operational standards. These upgrades often include avionics modernization, cabin refurbishments, and life-extension works that can significantly prolong the airframe’s operational cycles.

Ryan DeBrusk, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at De Havilland Canada, highlighted the program’s value proposition in the official release:

“Our OEM Refurbished Program delivers high-quality aircraft designed to meet the needs of growing regional operations, while providing exceptional value, performance, and reliability.”

, Ryan DeBrusk, VP Sales & Marketing, De Havilland Canada

For lessors like TrueNoord, the program offers a way to supply clients with reliable assets that carry manufacturer backing, mitigating the risks typically associated with older used inventory.

Lessor Strategy and Market Context

TrueNoord, a specialist lessor focused on the 50–150 seat regional aircraft market, continues to expand its portfolio of Dash 8-400s. This delivery follows their acquisition of a batch of aircraft from Nordic Aviation Capital in late 2023. By utilizing the refurbishment program, TrueNoord ensures that its assets remain competitive and reliable for operators in challenging environments like Australia and Africa.

Carst Lindeboom, Director Asia Pacific for TrueNoord, noted the confidence the lessor places in the manufacturer-led refurbishment:

“The OEM Refurbished Program ensures delivery of a Dash 8-400 that is both reliable and versatile, and we are confident it will enable our customer to deliver vital air services with confidence.”

, Carst Lindeboom, Director Asia Pacific, TrueNoord

AirPro News Analysis

The Bridge to Future Production

We observe that this delivery highlights a significant trend in the regional aviation sector: the “tightness” of the high-quality turboprop market. With no new Dash 8s rolling off the line since 2022 and a backlog for competitor aircraft like the ATR 72, operators are increasingly reliant on refurbishment programs to source capacity.

While DHC has indicated that a decision regarding the restart of production (potentially in Alberta) could be made around the 2025/2026 timeframe, the Refurbishment Program effectively bridges the gap. It allows the OEM to maintain a commercial relationship with operators and lessors while preserving the asset value of the existing global fleet. For Nexus Airlines, securing a factory-refurbished unit provides operational certainty in a market where spare parts and reliable airframes are becoming premium commodities.

Sources

• De Havilland Canada