Arkia Israeli Airlines says that it has selected the Aero International (Regional) (AI(R)) Avro RJ115 to replace its fleet of de Havilland Dash 7 turboprops, but the airline is yet to begin contract negotiations with AI(R).
Arkia, which wants to order three RJ115s, has been evaluating replacements for its 12 Dash 7s for the past three years. The aircraft are operated mostly on the airline's main domestic route from Tel Aviv to Eilat. Turboprop types such as the AI(R) ATR family and Bombardier de Havilland Dash 8 have also been examined.
Arkia president Israel Borovich says that strong traffic growth between Eilat and Tel Aviv means that the aircraft are needed "urgently". With the production backlog for the Avro RJ now almost full for 1998, he acknowledges that he may have to acquire used RJs or BAe 146s on interim lease.
Source: Flight International
