Max Kingsley-Jones/Isle of Man
The continued traffic growth experienced by Manx Airlines and sister company British Regional Airlines (BRAL) is forcing the two airlines to examine the acquisition of aircraft larger than the British Aerospace 146-200.
The carriers operate a centrally managed fleet of some 36 aircraft with operations divided between Manx regional services from its base at Ronaldsway, Isle of Man, and BRAL's British Airways franchise flights operating from hubs in Manchester and Southampton. The combined fleet includes 13 BAe Jetstream 41 and 15 BAe ATP turboprops, along with five Embraer RJ-145s and three BAe 146-200 jets.
Manx and BRAL are considering larger aircraft to replace their 146-200s
Two of the 95-seat 146s are used on BA franchise services, while the third is operated on the Ronaldsway-London Heathrow service. "We could do with an aircraft larger than the 146-200, for the BRAL and Manx routes," says group managing director Terry Liddiard. With pricing and lease rates a key issue, Liddiard would "-.like the larger 146-300 if some were readily available". He is not interested in new Avro RJ100s as "they don't offer us any advantages".
Liddiard rejects the Fairchild Dornier 60/90-seat regional jet project as being too small, but is interested in Boeing's 100/120-seat 717-200. "Ultimately, the [717] acquisition price is the key issue, and that seems to be going up compared to initial suggestions," he says. Manx/BRAL could also acquire new aircraft as part of the huge BA Regional short haul order, says Liddiard.
Manx/BRAL has no plans to dispose of its ATPs, but the 29-seat J41 fleet may diminish as the type is replaced by 49-seat ERJ-145s on certain BA franchise routes and re-deployed on to Scottish routes. Ten more Embraer orders are held, with five options which can be 37-seat ERJ-135s, but escalating en route and landing charges in Europe may discourage the acquisition of more 30-40 seaters.
Source: Flight International
