Max Kingsley-Jones/LONDON
Brymon Airways is poised to undertake a major fleet expansion programme, and the carrier has plans to acquire Bombardier Dash 8-400s and Canadair Regional Jets (CRJs).
The Plymouth, UK-based carrier, a wholly owned regional division of British Airways, operates its all turboprop fleet of 16 50-seat Bombardier Dash 8-300s from its home base, and from Bristol and Manchester under franchise for its parent. Orders are outstanding for two more Dash 8s, while two de Havilland Dash 7s are operated on oil support flights.
Brymon is the only major UK regional airline which is still committed to an all-turboprop fleet, but confirms that it is now studying the acquisition of larger turboprops and regional jets. It says that it has taken options with Bombardier on two 70-seat Dash 8-400 high-speed turboprops for delivery in late 2000, and two similarly sized Canadair Regional Jet Series 700s, for delivery in 2002.
The airline says that no final decision on its expansion strategy has been taken, and declines to comment on the prospect of an order for 50-seat Canadair Regional Jets to replace its Dash 8 fleet. The airline does concede, however, that the CRJ/Dash 8-400 options will expire soon.
"We will need a larger aircraft to increase capacity/frequency, and to boost our route network," says the airline. It adds that it has held discussions with the local authority at Plymouth about the extension of the runway to enable the Dash 8-400 to use the airfield.
Brymon has been a south-western UK-orientated carrier, but it is becoming an increasingly important player at BA's Manchester hub, where it has taken over routes to Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh from its parent.
Brymon refuses to comment on speculation that it is poised to increase its presence at Manchester and take over more BA services.
Source: Flight International
