Herman de Wulf/BRUSSELS
Belgian commuter airline VLM is negotiating with British Aerospace for two Avro RJ85s, to allow it to introduce longer routes within 12-18 months.
The Antwerp-based airline, which operates eight Fokker 50 turboprops, had considered the Fokker 70 and Fairchild Dornier 728JET, but neither aircraft is available to meet the airline's timescale. VLM was initially interested in the Fokker 70, as the regional's owner, Dutch businessman Jaap Jacobson, was behind the Rekkof Restart project to relaunch Fokker production.
The carrier placed a letter of intent with Rekkof for up to four Fokker 70s last year. With Rekkof failing to get off the ground, however, the airline turned towards Fairchild Dornier. "We were impressed by the 728JET," says VLM chief executive Christian Heinzmann. "The aircraft suits our needs. Unfortunately, it will not be available within our timescale," he adds.
Heinzmann says the RJ85 meets several of its requirements, including the ability to operate at London City Airport, and is available to meet VLM's schedule.
The airline operates daily scheduled services to London City from Antwerp, Rotterdam, Mönchengladbach and Luxembourg. It will inaugurate an Antwerp-Geneva service on 27 September.
Source: Flight International
