Calgary company celebrating milestone in centennial year
Posted Jul 21, 2016 10:02 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A Calgary airplane manufacturer has hit a major milestone for a type of plane that was once put out of commission.
Viking Air Ltd. completed its 100th Twin Otter Series 400 plane on Thursday and celebrated with a party at the Calgary International Airport.
Company CEO David Curtis says he couldn’t be more proud of his staff.
“We talk about our Calgary team here as probably running one of the world-class manufacturing facilities,” he said. “They do it every day, and they deliver quality, and a safe product, and they’re going around the world.”
He adds, the company plans to expand its Calgary footprint moving forward.
“Viking just announced the acquision of the amphibious water bomber program from Bombardier, and that’s being established in Calgary.”
The 100th plane is on its way to Victoria to be fitted with custom interior work.
“Number 100 we’re going to keep for ourselves. But I looked at the aircraft that was just coming off the production line right after it, number 101, and it’s destined to go to Nepal,” Curtis said.
The company’s planes are now flying in 25 different countries, and demand continues to grow.
A pair of twin otters recently made international headlines after being part of a rescue mission to the South Pole.
