VALUJET AIRLINES describes as "extremely premature" reports that it is planning to buy 50 MD-95s if McDonnell Douglas (MDC) launches the 100-seat airliner. The Atlanta, Georgia-based low-cost carrier, two years old in October, says that it is talking to several manufacturers, but that "absolutely no decision" has been taken on its future fleet plans.
MDC says that ValuJet has indicated it is "very interested" in the MD-95, essentially an update of the DC-9-30-series aircraft it already operates. "As an existing DC-9 operator, ValuJet is an obvious candidate for the MD-95," says MDC.
ValuJet operates 34 DC-9s and plans to continue adding aircraft at a rate of one to 1.5 a month as it develops new markets. The airline says that its fleet options include additional DC-9s; used larger aircraft types, such as the MD-80 series; and new aircraft.
The MD-95 will not be available until 1997, if launched before the end of 1995.
Source: Flight International