British European is to rationalise its fleet and dispose of its four Bombardier CRJ200s.
The decision comes as part of a shake-up of the Exeter-based airline amid poor financial results which have seen Barry Perrott resign as chief executive and Jim French appointed as managing director.
The airline's four 50-seat CRJ200s were delivered over the past two years, specifically to serve Paris Charles de Gaulle, the hub of its partner Air France. Two of the four aircraft are operated under a wet lease to Air France, and both will return to British European by the end of the year.
"We have been unable to identify sufficient route development potential to justify the retention of the CRJs," says French.
The UK regional airline will now rationalise its fleet around just two types, the BAE Systems Avro RJX and the Bombardier Dash Q Series turboprop. Seven 37/50-seat Dash 8 Q200/Q300s are currently operated, and the first of four 78-seat Q400s will arrive in September. With the removal of the CRJs, French says that four additional 78-seat Q400s will be acquired.
The airline has orders for 12 RJXs and 10 options, for delivery from the second quarter of next year. The airline has 17 BAe 146s, which are expected to be returned off lease as the new RJXs arrive.
Source: Flight International
