Atlantic Southeast Airlines (ASA) has followed its fellow Delta Connection carriers Comair and Skywest with the selection of the Canadair Regional Jet for its regional-jet needs, after a competition which also involved the Embraer EMB-145 (Flight International, 8-14 January, P10).
The Atlanta, Georgia-based regional says that it will place a firm order with Bombardier Regional Aircraft for 30 aircraft, with options on a further 60, becoming the fourth US airline customer for the aircraft. The 30 firm orders, including spares, are valued at C$825 million ($600 million), making it the largest single Canadair Regional Jet deal to date. Deliveries to ASA will begin in August, and proceed at the rate of one aircraft a month.
ASA's president John Beiser says that the selection of the Regional Jet followed an "intensive evaluation". He also points out: "The future availability of the 70-passenger CRJ-X ensures our airline will be strategically well-positioned for the future."
ASA already flies jet-powered aircraft, with five BAe 146-200s on lease from British Aerospace Asset Management Jets. The airline's 80-strong aircraft fleet also includes AI(R) ATR 72s and Embraer Brasilias. The Regional Jets will be used primarily for growth into new markets, but they will also replace some turboprops on routes from its Atlanta and Dallas hubs.
Source: Flight International
