Aug 14 2013

Bombardier confirms future plans for Downsview Q400 Program

Q400 Dash 8 LogoOn August 14, 2013, Bombardier reconfirmed its commitment to keeping the Q400 turboprop program based at Downsview where it has been located since the beginning of the aircraft’s history.

The question had been raised after reports that the Russian company Rostec was close to signing an agreement to shift Q400 work away from Canada.

Any movement of the Q400 would be met by intense opposition from the Canadian Auto Workers union which represents about 1,700 workers at Downsview. Language in the collective agreement with Bombardier protects workers, but ongoing discussions with the union and Bombardier have noted that the costs of manufacturing the Q400 are approximately two millions dollars per aircraft more expensive than its rival ATR.

Bombarder has indicated that it is seeking options to reduce that gap including possibly moving components or other work out of Downsview.

Rostec intends to provide an option to airlines seeking to fill the medium-range aircraft market within Russia. As inmporting aircraft into Russia adds considerable expense to the airlines, having a production facility within Russia may be a means to sales for Bombardier as well.

Currently, the Q400 has 36 aircraft on order, much of that production earmarked for Westhet’s new regional carrier.

Aug 12 2013

Aurigny places order for Embraer 195 for 2014

Aurigny Embraer 195On August 12, 2013, Aurigny Airlines announced that it had ordered a single Embraer 195 for delivery by the middle of 2014.

The airline also noted that because of the delay in obtaining the new aircraft directly from Embraer, it would be wet leasing a similar aircraft for a short period of time.

The need for this was explained by the withdrawal of Flybe from the Guernsey to London Gatwick route which the new aircraft will be operated on in March 2014. As this loss of service would impact heavily, a wet leased Embraer 195 would operate the route for Aurigny for two or three months until the new aircraft is delivered and crew trained to operate the aircraft.

The aircraft will join Aurigny’s ATRs, which operate six flights a day to Gatwick. The airline plans to keep its oldest aircraft, an ATR72-200, as a backup to the new aircraft for an extended period of time.

Easyjet, the airline that is buying Flybe’s Gatwick slots, has not revealed if it intends to operate the route from March 2014 when Flybe abandons the route.

Aug 05 2013

Comac delays C919 program first flight to 2015

C919It was reported on August 5, 2013 that Comac will be delaying the flight flight of the C919 aircraft from 2014 to some point in 2015 adding an additional year to the program’s series of delays.

The new delays are blamed upon what are described as “certain procedures that aren’t linked to technical matters” by sources that were not named in news reports.

Comac indicated in 2012 that the program had 380 commitments with most being from Chinese airlines and lessors. GE aircraft leasing has also placed a commitment for aircraft as have Air China, China Southern Airlines and China Eastern Airlines.

Bombardier in 2012 indicated that it planned to help Comac obtain approval from regulators outside of China for the C919 program. It was also announced in 2012 that the C919 and Bombardier CSeries plane would share a common cockpit.

Aug 02 2013

Republic Airways begins American Eagle Embraer 175 Operations

American Eagle E175On August 1, 2013, Republic Airways began operation Embraer 175s on the behalf of American Airlines under American Eagle branding and in the new American Airlines colour scheme.

Two aircraft will be delivered each month, and as the Embraer 175 fleet grows, service will expand to Kansas City, Minneapolis, Toronto and Washington.

The aircraft are configured with 76 seats, 12 in first class and another 20 in Main Cabin Extra.

American has 47 of the Embraer 175s on order and all will be operated by Republic Airways.