Sep 12 2012

SpiceJet delays delivery of three DHC-8Q-400s

SpiceJet logoSpiceJet has postponed the delivery of three of the seven DHC-8Q-400 aircraft it has on order as a result of Delhi International Airport’s decision to raise airport and user development charges. SpiceJet had planned to make Delhi its hub for the three new Q400s, but says this will be impossible with the increased fees.

The airline and the airport operator are in a public battle over the fare increase and no end seems to be in sight. The airline did place the first four Q400s into service from Delhi however.

SpiceJet operates twelve Q400s on regional routes using Delhi, Hyderabad and Chennai as hub cities. The previous airport agreement gave aircraft with seating less than eighty passengers a waiver on airport and parking charges at Delhi. A revised policy passed by the airport regulator in May 2012 changed this and added costs to these aircraft as well. The airport has also added additional passenger fees.

Currently, the completed aircraft are in Bombardier’s possession until a decision to their fate is made by SpiceJet.

Sep 11 2012

Pinnacle Airlines in process of opening CRJ200/900 maintenance base at CVG

Pinnacle Airlines LogoPinnacle Airlines is in the process of establishing a CRJ-200 and CRJ-900 maintenance base at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.

The airline has hired a number of former Comair employees and according to reports will be looking to fill a wide range of positions in its new operation at CVG in the near future. The maintenance station will service Pinnacle’s CRJ-200 and CRJ-900 regional jet aircraft and is planning to start operations by the end of 2012.

Overall, this will not replace the presence of Comair at CVG, but will at the minimum provide for a continued regional jet base presence there.

Comair will cease operations on September 29th, 2012.

Sep 10 2012

Myanma Airways orders two Embraer 190s

Myanma Airways LogoAccording to news reports, Myanma Airways has placed an order for two Embraer 190s as part of a fleet renewal program. The aircraft are to replace the airline’s fleet of Fokker 28s.

It is planned that the first Embraer 190 will be delivered in November 2012 with the second following shortly thereafter. Services with the new aircraft will commence before the end of 2012.

Each Embraer 190 will be configured with 100 seats in a single-class layout, the aircraft will be leased from GE Capital Aviation Services.

Sep 09 2012

Historical CRJ Operators – British European

This is one in an ongoing series of articles on Winglets that will summarize past airlines and other operators of CRJ aircraft that are no longer in existence.

British European LogoBritish European Airlines

  • IATA Code: BE
  • ICAO Code: BEE
  • Callsign: JERSEY
  • Originally Jersey European
  • Renamed FlyBE in late 2002
  • Number of CRJs Operated: 4
British European CRJ Routes

British European CRJ Routes

Jersey European was formed in 1979 and introduced its first jet, the BAe146 in 1993 on routes from London to Belfast City and the Channel Islands. The airline won several awards including Best UK Regional Airline. In 1999, the airline purchased the CRJ and Dash 8 and changed its name to British European in June 2000. The airline’s name was shortened  to Flybe in July 2002. Four CRJs were ordered in 1999 and entered the fleet in 2000 and operated on a limited number of routes. When the airline’s name was changed, a decision was made to rationalize the fleet and remove all types except for the Dash 8s which continue to operate with the airline. For a short period of time, the CRJs operated in Air France colours with small British European titles. Upon the retirement of the CRJs, a deal was struck with JetKonnect of India which took all four CRJs.

Airports Served By CRJs

  • BHD – Belfast City Airport, United Kingdom
  • LBA – Leeds-Bradford, United Kingdom
  • BHX – Birmingham, United Kingdom
  • BRU – Brussels, Belgium
  • NCL – Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
  • EDI – Edinburgh, United Kingdom
  • CRJs were also used as standby aircraft or flew extra sections

CRJ Fleet

British European operated a total of four Canadair Regional Jets in its fleet. All aircraft were delivered new from Bombardier and all examples were taken on by JetKonnect of India when they left the fleet:

MSN 7345           G-JECA (To VT-SAQ)           CRJ-200ER

MSN 7393           G-JECB (To VT-SAR)           CRJ-200ER

MSN 7434           G-JECC (To VT-SAS)           CRJ-200ER

MSN 7469           G-JECD (To VT-SAU)           CRJ-200ER

British European CRJ-200ER MSN 7393 G-JECB (Photo by: Steve White)

British European CRJ-200ER MSN 7393 G-JECB
(Photo by: Steve White)

 

British European CRJ in Air France Colours MSN 7345 G-JECA (Photo By: Ken Meegan)

British European CRJ in Air France Colours
CRJ-200ER MSN 7345 G-JECA
(Photo By: Ken Meegan)