Air TransportTäby Air Maintenance (TAM) has received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval for its Saab 2000 freighter conversion, allowing the Swedish company to offer the modified turboprop in the U.S. market.
The approval covers the Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for converting the Saab 2000 from a regional passenger aircraft into a cargo platform. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) had already cleared the modification in December.
With FAA validation now in place, TAM can market the converted aircraft to U.S. operators, expanding beyond its existing footprint in Europe.
The certification comes as the Saab 2000 begins to gain traction in North America. TAM and its sister company Empterwik recently delivered the first aircraft of the type to U.S.-based operator Sterling, marking an entry point for the platform in the region.
Originally introduced as a high-speed turboprop for regional passenger services, the Saab 2000 is being repositioned as a freighter aimed at express cargo, e-commerce distribution and time-sensitive logistics.
TAM began work on the conversion program in 2022, with the first flight of the modified aircraft taking place in March 2023 after delays in the development process.
The freighter configuration offers a cargo volume of 55.4 cubic meters and a maximum payload of 6,622 kg, although operations under U.S. Part 135 rules limit payload to 3,402 kg. The conversion includes a reinforced carbon fiber floor, integrated roller cargo loading system and upgraded LED lighting for the cargo hold.
The Saab 2000 program builds on TAM’s earlier Saab 340 freighter conversions, which have seen significant adoption among regional cargo operators.
