Atlantic Coast Airlines' (ACA) search for a new 30-seat class of passenger jet hinges on the disposal of the carrier's large fleet of British Aerospace Jetstream 41 and smaller J32 turboprops. Many are locked in long-term leases from BAe Asset Management Turboprops (AMT).
The United Express partner carrier is reportedly close to signing a deal for up to 50 Fairchild Dornier 328JET 33-seat regional jets. ACA says its immediate focus is on introducing additional Bombardier Canadair Regional Jet (CRJ) Series 200s that it has on order. Any requirement for a smaller jet is "still very much in the investigative stage".
Finding a new home for ACA's Jetstream fleet is the key to any new deal. The airline renewed its agreement on many of the 29 and 19-seat turboprops for extended periods in return for lower lease rates. "This is a noose around their necks and they can't get out unless AMT lets them out," says an industry source.
The Dulles-based carrier operates 32 Jetstream 41s and 28 Jetstream 31s as well as 16 CRJ-200s. It is to take delivery of a further seven 50-seat jets this year, with a total of 43 by 2001. As well as looking at the 328JET, it has also discussed the slightly larger, 37-seat, RJ-135 with Embraer.
United Express sister operator Trans States Airlines has been cited as a possible taker of the ACA aircraft. The St Louis, Missouri-based carrier operates 25 Jetstream 41s and 35 Super 31s and says that although it is not looking for more capacity, it "might entertain" additional 41s, but "not 31s". The airline recently took delivery of fiveERJ-145s out of 27 on order.
A sizeable ACA order for Fairchild Aerospace would be a major boost for the 328JET, which has been struggling to break into the US market. The company claims to have orders for 49 of the 33-seaters, five for US launch customer Skyway Airlines. The Milwaukee-based carrier will take its first aircraft in June.
Source: Flight International
