Quest Aircraft purchased by French company

By Cameron Rasmusson
Reader Staff

Sandpoint-based company Quest Aircraft announced last week it has been acquired by a French manufacturer.

Daher, which produces a line of single-engine turboprops, is in the process of finalizing the business deal, which should be complete by the end of 2019. According to Daher officials, they see the acquisition as a chance to diversify its product line, with the utility and versatility of Quest’s signature Kodiak rounding out Daher’s speed-focused models.

“We think it’s an aircraft that perfectly fits with (our family of aircraft models,)” Daher Senior Vice President Nicolas Chabbert told the Aircraft Owners and Pilot Association.

The Kodiak was originally designed for missionary and humanitarian work. It is equipped to operate in some of the world’s roughest areas, capable of taking off from very short runways and withstanding harsh environments. There are 270 Quest airplanes in operation, and the company employs 240 people in North Idaho.

Daher will acquire Quest Aircraft from Japanese firm Setouchi Holdings, which purchased the local company in 2015.