Based upon current order trends, French airframer Daher believes 2022 could be a record year for the company. Daher delivered 68 airplanes between its Kodiak and TBM single-engine turboprop lines last year, and to date it has cash deposits for another 50 to be delivered this year. A spokesperson for the company told AIN this backlog is significantly higher than a year ago and that the manufacturer is planning a "significant increase" in production for both Kodiak and TBM in 2022.
In 2021, the OEM handed over a combined 51 TBM 910 and 940s, including four of the latter to the French government’s flight test organization DGA-EV. While the bulk of these deliveries—39— went to North American customers, the manufacturer noted increased demand from European owner/operators. Two deliveries last year went to French customers, two in the UK, and one each for Germany and the Netherlands. And for the first time, one each to customers in Denmark and Cyprus.
Daher last year introduced the Kodiak Series III, the first upgrade to the utility aircraft since it was acquired by the Daher Group three years ago, and it saw 17 deliveries to a mix of corporate/business, private, and special mission customers.
“We’re proud of these impressive results for Daher’s aircraft division in producing and delivering Kodiak and TBM aircraft, which are even more noteworthy considering the Covid-19 pandemic’s impact on the supply chain, its effects on the economy, and the downturn in international travel,” stated company CEO Didier Kayat. “The perspectives for 2022 are extremely positive and it could be the best year ever for our aircraft manufacturing activity.”