Saab is gaining two more European customers for its Saab 2000s, with the lease of second hand examples to Cityjet and Business Air.
The source for the aircraft is Regional Airlines of France, which had a fleet of 11 2000s, all of which are leased from Saab Aircraft Credit, but it is beginning to replace the 50-seater with the similar sized Embraer RJ-145 regional jet . Cityjet, based in Dublin, Ireland, has introduced the first of three Saab 2000s on its Dublin-London City route.
According to the airline's chief executive, Pat Byrne, this aircraft, and the third due at the end of May, will be leased directly from Saab for operation on its own services. "The second aircraft is about to enter service leased directly from Regional. It will be flown on our Air France franchise route between Strasbourg and London City," he says.
Byrne says that the performance of the high speed Saab turboprops will enable them to be integrated alongside its five 81-seat BAe 146-200s, operating the off peak services when loads are lighter. "We will also use the Saab to launch a new route from Dublin in May, and are considering the introduction of international services from other Irish airports," says Byrne.
Cityjet is aiming to increase the Saab 2000 fleet with the addition of "one or maybe two aircraft" in 1999, but this will not affect the 146 fleet size. "We see the need for probably two more 146s next year," says Byrne.
Three more of Regional's 2000s are expected to be heading for Scottish Saab 340 operator Business Air, again leased from Saab. The Aberdeen based carrier has just began operations under the "British Midland Commuter" banner at Manchester.
British Midland (BM) has just launched its London Heathrow-Manchester services, and Business Air is providing feed for the airline at the airport.
Source: Flight International
