Published: April 20, 2005

Saab Aircraft Contracts JOB air For Heavy Maintenance

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LINKOPING, Sweden, April 20, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Saab Aircraft AB has signed a long term agreement with JOB air s.r.o. of the Czech Republic to perform heavy maintenance on Saab 340 and Saab 2000 aircraft. The new agreement designates the Ostrava based company as a Preferred Supplier for Saab maintenance in Europe and also includes the establishment of a spares depot in support of the maintenance activity.

Won by JOB air after a competitive evaluation process against several other potential suppliers, the new agreement designates the Czech Republic based company as the preferred maintenance supplier for Saab. A spares parts supply will also be created on site to ensure continuous availability of spares.

Under the new agreement, Saab will continue to market heavy maintenance and repair services to operators of the Saab 340 and Saab 2000 aircraft to operators in Europe as part of its overall portfolio of products and services. JOB air will perform the actual work on the aircraft under its own EASA PART 145 approvals and supported by Saab Aircraft's engineering and quality control expertise. After an initial start up period Saab expects a volume of between 20 to 30 Heavy Maintenance visits per year. In real terms, this represents potential revenue of approximately 1.5 MUSD annually over the term of the agreement for JOB air.

JOB air CEO, Josef Hornak comments, "We are extremely pleased to have been selected by Saab Aircraft as their preferred supplier. The choice by Saab to work with JOB air is a further evidence of the quality product we provide. The combination of our experienced staff together with Saab's OEM expertise will result in an even better service offered to operators of the Saab 340 and Saab 2000 aircraft."

Saab Aircraft President, Michael Andersson states, "The agreement with JOB air secures several benefits for our operators. Not only do we continue to ensure a long term maintenance support capability for our aircraft types but the Central European location of our new maintenance provider also minimizes the ferry distance for the majority of our operators to the new maintenance base. This, in addition to the more competitive cost structure in the region, results in significant cost savings for the end customer."

Saab Aircraft will also continue to offer aircraft maintenance services at its Linkoping Service Center facility with an increased focus on specialist work such as aircraft conversion, major repair and special mission applications. "This narrowed focus makes the most effective use of the extensive knowledge of aircraft production, repair and modification possessed by our mechanics and technicians and maintains these key competencies within the company," says Andersson.

JOB air s.r.o, founded in 1993, has broad experience in commercial and general aviation. The success of JOB air is based on professional staff with in-depth knowledge of the procedures of aircraft production, maintenance, and aircraft operator's requirements.

Saab Aircraft AB, with offices in Linkoping Sweden and Sterling, Virginia in the U.S. supports and maintains the combined Saab 340 and Saab 2000 fleet of over 500 aircraft in service with operators around the world. Saab Aircraft AB is part of the Saab Aviation Services Business Unit of Saab AB.

Saab is one of the world's leading high-technology companies, with its main operations focusing on defense, aviation and space. The group covers a broad spectrum of competence and capabilities in systems integration.

For further information please contact: Mr. Rickard Hjelmberg Sales Manager, Aircraft Maintenance, Phone +46 13 183102 Mr. John Belanger Public Relations and Communications, Saab Aircraft AB, Phone +46 13 183101

www.saabaircraft.com www.saab.se

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