Are propellers set to replace jet engines at BA CityFlyer?
British Airways could make a return to turboprop flying as it evaluates potential replacements for the 10 BAE Systems Avro RJ100s operated at London City by its CityFlyer subsidiary.
BA commercial director Robert Boyle says the carrier is looking at the Embraer 170/190 family and "may look again" at turboprops. He adds that switching to younger Avro RJ-family aircraft is also a possibility.
He says BA will decide on an RJ100 replacement in the next year or so: "We're in the process of winding up the evaluation."
BA has excluded from the study the Airbus A318, which the carrier is acquiring for its new all-business London City-New York operation, because it is too heavy for short-haul flights from London City, says Boyle.
CityFlyer's 10 RJ100s were manufactured between 1997 and 2000, according to Flight's ACAS database. CityFlyer was created last March to take over the London City RJ operations from the airline's BA Connect regional division, which was sold to UK regional carrier Flybe. BA Connect operated a fleet of regional jets and Bombardier Dash 8 turboprops for the UK flag carrier.
Source: Flight International
