IATA S20ICAO SB20

Saab 2000

Saab

TravelerPulse profile

High-speed Swedish turboprop designed for regional routes.

First flight

1992

Category

Regional turboprop

Seating

50–58 passengers

Range

2,868 km

Engines

Two Allison AE 2100A turboprop engines with Dowty R408 six-blade propellers

Status

In service

The Saab 2000 is a large, high-speed regional turboprop aircraft developed by Swedish manufacturer Saab AB as a stretched and significantly upgraded successor to the Saab 340. It was designed to compete with regional jets by offering cruise speeds approaching those of jet aircraft while retaining the fuel efficiency of turboprop power. The aircraft entered service in 1994 and seats up to 58 passengers. Despite its technical merits, the Saab 2000 achieved only modest commercial success, with 63 aircraft built before production ended in 1999. The rise of regional jets from manufacturers such as Bombardier and Embraer made it difficult for turboprops to compete in the market. The Saab 2000 has found a secondary role in military service, most notably as the platform for the Swedish Air Force's Erieye airborne early warning and control system (AEW&C), operated by Sweden and several other nations.

Notable operators

Crossair was the launch customer and largest operator; other operators have included Air Nostrum, OLT Express, and various military customers including the Swedish Air Force.

Notable facts

›Only 63 aircraft were built before production ceased in 1999.
›Cruise speed of approximately 682 km/h (370 knots) made it competitive with regional jets.
›The Saab 2000 Erieye AEW&C variant is operated by Sweden, Pakistan, Thailand, Greece, and the UAE.
›Features an advanced active noise control system to reduce cabin noise despite its turboprop engines.
›Designed as a stretched successor to the Saab 340, sharing some commonality to reduce training costs.