Andrew Doyle/MUNICH
Italian start-up SolAir has become the second announced airline customer for the Fairchild Aerospace 728JET, with a letter of intent for two aircraft, plus two 34-seat 328JETs.
The Naples-based carrier plans to begin operations with the two 328JETs from next January, serving Barcelona, Paris, Tirana and Tunis. The 70-seaters are due for delivery in late 2002. SolAir says they may supplement or replace the 328JETs, depending on traffic.
The privately financed carrier expects to sign a firm contract for all four aircraft by the end of March. It will have the right to return the 328JETs to Fairchild when the 728JETs are delivered.
Initial funding has been put up by an individual investor, who is seeking more cash from other parties, the airline says. It says the planned network is designed to cater for Naples-based business travellers, who have to travel via Rome or Milan to reach their destinations.
Another Italian regional start-up, Gandalf Airlines, began operations last year from Bergamo with 328JETs and Dornier 328 turboprops.
Fairchild has firm orders for 60 728JETs from Lufthansa CityLine and has sold 28 corporate Envoy 7s, based on the 728JET, to three customers.
Source: Flight International
