Longterm Development Strategy Combining Performance, Versatility, Innovation
The Daher TBM 980 is the latest chapter in the company’s continuity and development, built on more than a century of aeronautical heritage and carried forward through innovation and investment.
Recent developments – including the TBM 980’s introduction and the Kodiak family’s expansion – illustrate how these aircraft are being updated over time. Together, they represent Daher’s ongoing role in the general aviation and business aviation sectors, built on a combination of heritage and continued evolution.
As the world’s oldest airplane manufacturer in continuous operation today, Daher traces its roots to the pioneering French company, Morane-Saulnier, founded in 1911.
This legacy continues through two complementary airplane families from the Daher Aircraft business line: the high-performance TBM, built in France; and the versatile Kodiak, produced in the United States – both of which have evolved significantly under Daher’s stewardship.
More than 600 aircraft have been delivered by Daher in the TBM 900-series, contributing to nearly 1,300 TBMs produced overall. Across the global fleet, TBM aircraft have accumulated more than 2.6 million flight hours, with repeat customers accounting for nearly half of the ongoing sales.
Daher Aircraft’s introduction of the TBM 980 marked a further step in this progression. In the months since its January unveiling at the company’s Tarbes, France headquarters and final assembly facility, 10 aircraft have been delivered – nine to customers, and one demonstrator now based at Daher Aircraft’s U.S. operations in Pompano Beach, Fla. The strong demand has extended the offer of production slots into 2027.
A central element of the TBM 980 is its integration of the Garmin G3000 Prime avionics suite, representing the latest evolution in the aircraft’s cockpit systems. The flight deck incorporates three large touchscreen displays, along with increased processing capability and an updated interface designed to streamline pilot interaction and reduce workload.
Cabin updates focus on passenger comfort and connectivity. The six-seat interior includes provisions for a Starlink Mini satellite internet terminal, high-power USB-C charging ports and an upgraded passenger display with in-flight data.
Accompanying the Kodiak’s evolution is Daher’s investments in the U.S. industrial facility at Sandpoint, Idaho, which include the installation of a $2.7 million paint facility for new production airplanes and the duplication of certain final assembly-line stations to enable the parallel build-up of Kodiak 100s and Kodiak 900s.
