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FlyBE orders 26 aircraft From Brazil's Embraer
BY OUR AVIATION CORRESPONDENT
7 June, 2005: British regional low-cost airline, FlyBE has placed an order for up to 26 new planes, 14 firm orders and an option to purchase further 12 aircraft, which could cost $950 million at list prices before discounts.
FlyBE Chairman and Managing Director Jim French said, "the 118-seat E195 was better suited for operating on UK regional routes and it had comparable seat costs to larger aircraft on the shorter sector lengths flown by FlyBE. This would allow FlyBE to increase the number of UK regions it could serve with direct European services."
The firm orders will be delivered to FlyBE at the rate of almost one a month between August next year and December 2007.
Embraer, the world's fourth-largest commercial jet-maker, was chosen due to lower operating costs, environmental performance and in-flight cabin services. The new aircraft would replace the company's its existing fleet of British Aerospace-made planes.
FlyBE, which is focuses on Britain's domestic sector, is the first customer for the 118-seat Embraer 195, taking an initial 14 planes from the autumn of 2006 and keeping an option for a further 12.
"It completes our fleet rationalisation strategy commenced a couple of years ago and give we will be operating with the newest us the newest flij fleet in the airline sector," said French.
The airline, which currently has a 39-strong fleet of planes, operates 101 routes from 41 airports in seven countries. The modernisation of its fleet is an important decision as the airline is preparing for a stock market listing in the next 18 months.
The airline is also terminating negotiations for the possible purchase of Boeing 737 or Airbus A320-family aircraft. The company would also stop its trial processes of flying three 737s from Birmingham and Exeter.
The 195, part of Embraer's developing 170/190 family of large regional aircraft, made its maiden test flight last November and is due for certification in the second quarter of next year.
FlyBE is owned by the family trust established to oversee the estate of the late Jack Walker, the former steel baron and owner of Blackburn Rovers Football Club.
BY OUR AVIATION CORRESPONDENT
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