Canadian engineering and completions company Flying Colours has clinched European approval for its Bombardier CRJ200 conversion which it calls the ExecLiner Corporate Shuttle programme.
The EASA validation paves the way for the Peterborough, Ontario-based company to modify the European fleet of the out-of-production 50-seat regional airliner for the corporate and charter markets. Flying Colours already offers a VIP-configured variant of the ExecLiner and has delivered around a dozen to date.
Flightglobal's Ascend Online Fleets database records 122 CRJ200s in operation throughout Europe, of which 82 are used for scheduled commercial services, 36 for corporate and charter missions, three as freighters and one for VIP/government transportation.
"This latest CRJ conversion programme further strengthens Flying Colours' CRJ offering as the business now offers both VIP and corporate shuttle options that, when finished, match the quality of new OEM completions," says Flying Colours vice-president Sean Gillespie. "This supplemental type certification (STC) provides a wider variety of options for potential European owners and operators seeking alternatives to buying new aircraft."
European certification comes around a year after Transport Canada gave its approval for the interior modification which incorporates seating for 16 passengers "in a spacious business-class environment", says Flying Colours. Interior options include LED mood lighting, high-speed data and wi-fi solutions, IFE installations, and updated galley and lavatory designs. FAA approval for the modification is expected shortly.
Flying Colours is working on nine ExecLiners Corporate Shuttles for three undisclosed international clients. Gillespie says the shuttle is becoming increasingly attractive for the market as the "CRJ is competitively priced [and] operating costs are comparable with other regional aircraft".
Source: Flight International
