Nordic Aviation Capital (NAC) has delivered the first of 15 Embraer 190 jets to US start-up airline Breeze Airways.
The aircraft carries the registration N90NA, and was formerly operated by Air Canada, according to Cirium fleets data.
“Regional aircraft like the E190 were the first to be returned to service as they are ideally suited to serve post Covid demand,” NAC chief commercial officer Jim Murphy says on 2 February. “This aircraft type is once again experiencing a resurgence as it allows airlines to continue to profitably service all of their pre-Covid markets and retain pre-Covid frequency.”
Breeze is led by chairman and serial aviation entrepreneur David Neeleman.
In addition to the 15 Embraer E190s, the Salt Lake City-headquartered budget carrier agreed to take five Airbus A220-300s in a sale-and-leaseback deal with lessor Voyager Aviation, announced in October.
Breeze, which had originally been called “Moxy”, had intended to launch flights in 2020. Its business model calls for connecting secondary cities and bypassing major airline hubs. But the carrier was forced to push back its launch plans to 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic and ensuing sharp drop in passenger demand. With the pandemic ongoing, there is no indication as to exactly when the airline will come into being.
Neeleman, who launched JetBlue Airways and Brazil’s Azul, promises Breeze will “offer US travellers a new choice in air travel, and a much improved travel experience”.
