Euroscot Express is in advanced negotiations to launch franchise operations for a major European carrier next year, which would see the airline re-introduce jet operations from its Bournemouth base.
The UK regional began operations a year ago serving Glasgow and Edinburgh with a BAC One-Eleven on wet lease from European Aviation.
The jet was recently replaced by a 66-seat ATR 72-210 wet-leased from Gill Airways, and the airline has just signed for a second used ATR which will be leased from the manufacturer.
The airline's founder and chief executive Jack Romero, who helped start British Mediterranean Airways in 1994, says that an application for an air operator's certificate (AOC) was made in May, and a chief pilot was recently appointed. "We should get our AOC later this year, and then we will switch the Gill lease from wet to dry," says Romero, adding that the ATR-leased aircraft will be in service by early November. Discussions are under way with Gill and ATR for a third aircraft which will be introduced next March.
The fleet expansion will initially be used to enable frequencies to Scotland to be increased and early next year Euroscot aims to introduce twice daily flights from Bournemouth to Amsterdam Schiphol. "We are also evaluating services to points in France, Germany and Switzerland," says Romero. "Negotiations are at an advanced stage with three major airlines - two continental European flag carriers and one UK based airline - which could see us operating franchise services as early as next March," says Romero. A 100-seat jet (not a One-Eleven) has already been lined up for lease from next March should the franchise deal come off, he adds.
Romero says the airline has a requirement for an 80-seat jet from about 2000, and has examined existing types as well as new models such as the Fairchild Dornier 728JET.
Source: Flight International
