De Havilland Canada completed the first flight of its 1000th DHC-6 Twin Otter on January 20, 2026, in Calgary, Alberta. Serial number MSN1000, featuring a retro livery and commemorative decal, is destined for SATENA, Colombia’s state-owned regional airline. Delivery to Bogotá follows a 4,000-hour ferry flight. The 999th Twin Otter will also join SATENA’s fleet.
SATENA ordered eight Twin Otters in July 2024 at Farnborough Airshow to expand operations in remote Colombian regions. As of January 2026, the airline operates three, with two in service; three more, including MSN1000, are due this year. The first arrived November 19, 2024 (FAC-1400, HK-5412), followed by a second in December 2024 and March 2025. Four more are scheduled for 2025, two for 2026.
The Twin Otter’s STOL capabilities enable operations on short, unimproved runways with wheels, skis, or floats, suiting Arctic, aquatic, mountainous, and jungle environments. SATENA deploys them on routes like Medellín-Condoto (inaugural January 16, 2026), Medellín-Montelíbano, and Medellín-El Bagre, six times weekly. Social fares range from COP 166,700 to 267,950, with discounts for vulnerable groups.
Major General Óscar Zuluaga, SATENA president, stated, “The incorporation of the Twin Otter into our fleet represents a significant step forward in meeting the transportation needs of the communities.” Crews, mainly Colombian Air Force pilots, trained in Calgary on D-class simulators. The 19-passenger aircraft replaces LET 410 and Beechcraft 1900D, boosting connectivity in 27 departments.