German regional carrier Lufthansa CityLine is considering placing a further order for more than ten Bombardier CRJ900s, saying that it is extremely satisfied with the performance of the newly-delivered type.
Lufthansa CityLine has taken delivery of eight CRJ900s, out of its current order for 12, over the last two months and is due to take the remainder by November.
Speaking to Flight during the European Regions Airline Association (ERA) general assembly in Barcelona, Lufthansa CityLine managing director Klaus Froese said: “This is probably the best new aircraft type introduction within the Lufthansa Group.”
The type has achieved 100% dispatch reliability since its introduction, meaning that no flights have been cancelled as a result of technical problems.
Lufthansa Group chief Wolfgang Mayrhuber said last week, during an event marking the company’s long-running service to Beijing, that the company had made a “partial decision” on its regional fleet renewal with the CRJ900s – but that there would not be any more announcements this year.
But sources close to the German flag-carrier say that it is thinking about expanding the CRJ900 fleet with more than ten additional aircraft. Talks are underway between Lufthansa and Bombardier, but no decision has yet been taken.
Lufthansa CityLine’s fleet, by March 2007, will comprise 23 CRJ200s, 20 CRJ700s, 12 CRJ900s and 18 BAE Systems Avro RJs. Some of the older aircraft could be replaced if a fresh deal was to emerge.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
