Atlantic Coast Airlines (ACA) is delaying retirement of its BAe Jetstream 41s, and is "keeping its options open" following the problems of Fairchild Dornier and the freezing of deliveries of 328JETs.
ACA president Tom Moore says: "I don't think Fairchild could deliver an aircraft, even though they're painted, until we reach a new purchase deal." Moore is pessimistic about the hope for any such revision, and adds: "There is no interest in a short term lease." Until now ACA has enjoyed favourable terms as launch operator of the 328JET, but now faces the prospect of operating an orphan fleet.
ACA has 33 328JETs and planned to take 10 more by the end of the year, with a final 22 in 2003. It hopes to retire some 10 of its 31 J41s by December. ACA also operates 60 Bombardier CRJs. "We will hold the J41s, but we want to exit turboprops by the end of next year," says Moore.
Source: Flight International
