Jersey European Airways (JEA) aims to select a replacement for its ageing turboprop fleet by mid-1998 in time for deliveries in early 1999.
The UK regional airline operates nine turboprops - four Shorts 360s and five Fokker F27s - as well as 11 British Aerospace 146s. While the focus of the evaluation is on 50-seat regional jets - the Embraer RJ-145 and Bombardier Canadair Regional Jet (CRJ) - the airline stresses that "-nothing has been ruled out".
Various turboprop types such as the BAe ATP and Aero International (Regional) ATR 42 are also being studied. The airline aims to introduce the new aircraft in the second quarter of 1999.
It is understood that the ERJ-145 may not meet all of JEA's performance requirements, particularly operating from Guernsey in the Channel Islands, at maximum weights. The requirement may also encompass a 70-seat option, which would favour the CRJ as there is already a larger model in development.
Source: Flight International
