Norwegian regional carrier Wideroe opted for the Embraer 190-E2 after concluding that the Bombardier CS100 would have been too large.
Wideroe has been a loyal Bombardier operator, with a fleet comprising several variants of the Dash 8 turboprop.
The carrier had notably continued to use the Q400 despite then-parent SAS Group’s decision in 2008 to withdraw the type over technical concerns.
Wideroe subsequently became the first airline to take delivery of an upgraded version of the Q400 – branded the NextGen – but it has opted to step up to jets for its latest fleet renewal.
The carrier says it considered the CS100 and says the aircraft “does meet our technical and operative requirements”.
“However, the size of the aircraft is slightly too big for our market needs,” the airline states.
Wideroe is taking three initial Embraer 190-E2 aircraft, fitted with 114 seats. It says the E2 family, with a capacity of 90-138 seats, “fits our market strategy better” than the CS100.
Modernisation of the Wideroe fleet follows a “positive outcome” regarding new collective agreements with pilots and cabin crew, says the carrier. The first E2 will be introduced next year, and the airline will take up to 15 of the type.
Source: Cirium Dashboard
