De Havilland Canada is celebrating the 1,000th delivery of its versatile DHC-6 Twin Otter after over six decades of production.
On March 20, 2026, De Havilland Canada announced that the 999th and 1,000th DHC-6 Twin Otter had joined the the fleet of SATENA, Colombia’s state-owned regional airline.
De Havilland Canada described the milestone as a “defining moment in aviation history”, for an “icon of rugged reliability, versatility, and purpose-driven design”.
“Delivering our 1000th Twin Otter is a proud milestone for De Havilland Canada,” said Brian Chafe, CEO of De Havilland Canada. “Built to connect people in the world’s most challenging environments, the Twin Otter’s success reflects the skill and dedication of our teams and the trust our customers have placed in this aircraft for generations. We’re pleased to see it continue serving communities around the world.”
The aircraft is SATENA’s fourth De Havilland Canada aircraft with the Twin Otter enabling the airline to fulfill its mission to serve remote and underserved regions of Colombia.
“We are honored to receive the 1,000th Twin Otter,” said Major General Óscar Zuluaga, President of SATENA. “This aircraft will play a vital role in strengthening connectivity throughout Colombia. As we welcome our fourth De Havilland Canada aircraft, we celebrate not only a milestone in aviation history, but a continued commitment to serving communities that rely on us every day.”
Originally built to open up the Canadian North, the Twin Otter has spent decades connecting remote communities, while operating in environments where few other aircraft can perform.
With its short takeoff and landing (STOL) capabilities, and renowned durability and adaptability the Twin Otter has become one of the most reliable aircraft programs in Canadian aerospace history.
“The 1000th delivery is more than a number, it is a celebration of the people who design, build, maintain, and operate the aircraft, and the countless people around the world whose lives have been connected because of it. As the Twin Otter continues its journey into the future, one thing remains unchanged: it was built to open up the North, and it continues to open up opportunity wherever it flies,” said De Havilland Canada.
