Max Kingsley-Jones/LONDON
British Airways regional carriers CityFlyer Express, British Regional Airlines (BRAL) and Brymon are undertaking independent evaluations of 70-110-seat regional jets, but could link for a major joint order next year.
The three airlines, of which two - CityFlyer and Brymon - are wholly owned by BA, have begun evaluations of new regional jet families as they look for long term replacements for their turboprops.
CityFlyer managing director Brad Burgess says the airline has revised its fleet plans since the recent BA takeover, but it has not finalised its long term ambitions. "We are just starting to look at that," says Burgess, adding that the plan to introduce larger aircraft like the Boeing 737-300 has been dropped in favour of retaining smaller aircraft.
The carrier operates 11 ATR 42/72 turboprops and eight Avro RJ100s. Airline sources suggest that the jet fleet could grow to 20-30 aircraft over the next two years, although growth of this kind is "rather optimistic", says Burgess.
"We are looking at the Avro RJ-X and the new Fairchild 728JET and Embraer RJ-170/190 70-110-seat jet families, with a view to replacing our entire fleet eventually," says Burgess. He adds that studies are at "an early stage".
BRAL managing director Terry Liddiard says that, like CityFlyer, the airline no longer plans to move up to 130-150-seaters. "A project team recently began evaluating the 70-110-seaters-we hope to be in a position to make a decision in May," he says.
The airline has concluded a deal for another 10 Embraer RJ-145s (plus two options) for delivery from 2000-2, taking its orders to 23. BRAL and sister carrier Manx are seeking replacements for 14 British Aerospace ATPs and three BAe 146s. "We will need 20 aircraft for delivery from 2003," Liddiard adds. The ERJ-170/190, 728JET, RJ-X, Boeing 717 and Airbus A318 are being considered, but Liddiard says: "We would prefer a single type." This would favour the Embraer and Fairchild types.
Brymon recently placed orders and options for 21 ERJ-145s. It is studying larger aircraft and can take its options up as ERJ-170s.
Liddiard says that, with BRAL, CityFlyer and Brymon "all in the same boat", it would "make sense to link up". A large, joint 70-110-seater order would ensure the offers are competitive, he says.
Source: Flight International
