Horizon Air is accelerating delivery of an initial 14 new Bombardier CRJ700s and has topped up its orderbook with the purchase of five more jets as rising fuel prices force the carrier to retire its Fokker F28s early.
The Seattle based airline will now take delivery of its first 70-seat jet in November, 15 months ahead of its original schedule. Bombardier has agreed to deliver up to 14 of Horizon's original 1998 order for 25 CRJ 700s by the end of 2001.
At the same time, Horizon has ordered five more CRJ700s, which will be delivered with the remaining 11 jets between 2003-05. The number of options remains at 25, and can be converted to any other member of the CRJ series and begin taking effect from late 2005, says Horizon.
The CRJ700s will replace Horizon's 69-seat F28-4000s on longer routes such as from Seattle to California, Idaho, Oregon, Montana and Canada. Eight leased jets will returned to owners from January and the remaining 14 owned F-28s will be sold.
Horizon is also due to take delivery of its first Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 in November. It will take four more by the end of the year and the remaining 10 in 2001. The Alaska Airlines owned carrier has options on another 15 of the 70-seats turboprops.
The aircraft will replace Horizon's 37-seat Dash 8-100s on shorter high density routes such as from Seattle to Portland and Spokane. The carrier plans to unveil an expansion its network this year.
Source: Flight International
