Daher Aircraft Launches Kodiak 900 in Europe at AERO Friedrichshafen

This article is based on an official press release from Daher Aircraft, supplemented by industry research and original AirPro News reporting.

Daher Aircraft is officially introducing the Kodiak 900 to the European market at the 32nd AERO Friedrichshafen trade show in Germany, which runs from April 22 to April 25, 2026. According to a company press release, the utility turboprop has arrived from Daher’s U.S. production facility in Sandpoint, Idaho, to kick off a multi-month European demonstration tour.

The Kodiak 900 is being showcased at Hall A3, Stand #305, alongside the newly launched TBM 980. This dual exhibition highlights Daher’s strategy of offering both rugged, off-airport utility and high-speed, premium turboprop performance. Industry research notes that the 2026 AERO Friedrichshafen event is experiencing a record upswing in business Private-Jets presence, featuring 50 aircraft on static display, making it an ideal launchpad for the Kodiak 900’s regional debut.

As we examine Daher’s expanding global footprint, the European tour of the Kodiak 900 also underscores the Manufacturers broader industrial growth. To meet rising international demand, the company is actively constructing a new final assembly line in Stuart, Florida, which will supplement its existing Manufacturing bases in the United States and France.

The Kodiak 900’s European Tour and Capabilities

Engineering for the Unimproved Runway

Launched globally in 2022 and having received its European Type Certificate from EASA in April 2023, the Kodiak 900 is a larger and faster evolution of the cornerstone Kodiak 100. The press release details that the aircraft features a 3.9-foot (1.18 meter) fuselage stretch, which industry data indicates increases total cabin volume by 20 percent to 309 cubic feet.

Designed for demanding environments and short takeoff and landing (STOL) operations, the aircraft is tailored for Europe‘s numerous grass fields and short runways. A distinguishing aerodynamic feature is its “discontinuous leading edge” wing design, which the manufacturer states provides strong resistance to aerodynamic stalls at low speeds and enables a tight turn radius comparable to that of a Helicopters.

“Bringing the Kodiak 900 to Europe provides an opportunity to introduce customers to an aircraft that can operate where others cannot, including many grass fields, delivering the reliability and efficiency that the Kodiak family is known for,” stated Nicolas Chabbert, CEO of Daher Aircraft, in the official release.

Performance-wise, the Kodiak 900 is powered by a 900-shaft horsepower Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-140A engine. According to Daher’s specifications, it boasts a maximum cruise speed of 210 KTAS and a range of approximately 1,130 nautical miles. Furthermore, industry research highlights that the aircraft is equipped with a 5-blade composite Hartzell propeller that is 6 dB(A) quieter, 13 pounds lighter, and reduces takeoff roll by 5 percent compared to standard 4-blade aluminum propellers.

The “High-Low” Strategy: Kodiak 900 and TBM 980

Covering the Turboprop Spectrum

To provide complete context on Daher’s AERO Friedrichshafen exhibit, it is essential to note the presence of the TBM 980. Unveiled in January 2026 and having recently made its U.S. debut, the TBM 980 represents the newest evolution of the TBM 900-series.

While the Kodiak 900 is showcased as a Multi-Mission Aircraft (MMA) ideal for unpressurized cargo transport, medevac, and rugged utility, the TBM 980 serves the premium fast-turboprop market. Industry data confirms the TBM 980 is powered by a PT6E-66XT engine, reaches a maximum speed of 330 KTAS, and integrates Garmin’s third-generation G3000 PRIME avionics. Together, these two aircraft demonstrate Daher’s comprehensive coverage of the single-engine turboprop sector.

Industrial Expansion and Supply Chain

Scaling Production in Idaho and Florida

Daher Aircraft continues sustained production of the Kodiak 900 and Kodiak 100 on a shared final assembly line in Sandpoint, Idaho. According to industry reports, Daher recently invested $2.7 million in a new paint facility and added a second “mirror” assembly line at the Idaho site to boost capacity.

However, the company’s press release also confirms that a new final assembly line for both the Kodiak and TBM product families will be established in Stuart, Florida. Background research verifies that Daher acquired a 40,880-square-meter aerostructures facility in Stuart in July 2022. Construction of the new assembly line is actively underway as of early 2026, with the first fully assembled aircraft expected to roll out of the Florida facility in 2027.

AirPro News analysis

We view Daher’s aggressive push into the European market with the Kodiak 900 as a highly strategic move, particularly given the continent’s unique topographical challenges and dense network of unimproved airstrips. The aircraft’s reported 9 percent reduction in specific fuel consumption is likely to resonate well with European operators who are facing increasing pressure to improve sustainability and lower direct operating costs. Furthermore, Daher’s proactive investment in the Stuart, Florida facility demonstrates a forward-looking approach to mitigating Supply-Chain bottlenecks, ensuring the company can meet the anticipated global demand generated by tours like the one launching this week at AERO Friedrichshafen.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the cruise speed of the Kodiak 900? According to Daher Aircraft, the Kodiak 900 has a maximum cruise speed of 210 KTAS.
• Where are Daher’s Kodiak aircraft manufactured? Currently, the Kodiak 900 and 100 are built in Sandpoint, Idaho. A new final assembly line is under construction in Stuart, Florida, with rollouts expected in 2027.
• Why is the Kodiak 900 suited for the European market? The aircraft features robust landing gear, a 45-foot wingspan, and a discontinuous leading edge wing design, making it highly capable of operating on the short, unimproved, and grass airstrips common throughout Europe.

Sources:
Daher Aircraft Press Release