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UK regional Eastern planning to add Q300s
Kerry Ezard, London (31May07, 15:53 GMT, 130 words)UK regional carrier Eastern Airways is planning to acquire an undisclosed number of Bombardier Q300 turboprops to add to its fleet within two years.
Speaking to ATI at Eastern’s Humberside headquarters yesterday, the carrier’s managing director and joint 50% shareholder, Richard Lake, said he was in discussions with Bombardier to purchase Q300s for delivery within 12 to 15 months.
He declines to disclose how many aircraft the carrier is looking to acquire.
Eastern operates a fleet of 24 British Aerospace Jetstream 41s and three Jetstream 32s. The carrier also operates four Saab 2000 turboprops and will take delivery of a fifth in the near future.
In addition, says Lake, Eastern will probably add three or four Jetstream 41s or Saab 2000s to its fleet before the end of this year.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
By: Manston Airport - 3rd June 2007 at 12:37
Dont think they would replace there J41 they in a deal with BAe at the moment with making some into freighters. But yeah the Flybe one’s will be good for new routes.
James
By: N.P.Vibert - 2nd June 2007 at 15:02
I would agree with Chrism21 the Flybe Dash 300s would be the first choice as they are operational and will be ready by the end of the year and i would expect some of the ex BA connect crews to join Eastern.
Good to see Eastern is plodding on and getting bigger capicty a step by step from The small Jetstreams to the 41s then the Dash it might end up the J41s will be replaced by a fleet of Dash 8 300s?
By: chrism20 - 2nd June 2007 at 11:00
Could this be the Q300’s that Flybe (ex BA Connect) are planning on disposing of in the next few months?
By: Richard Taylor - 2nd June 2007 at 10:20
Yes, interesting article indeed.
Wonder if it is new or used Q300s they are looking for.
Also of interest in the article I saw was that T3 are in talks with a number of airports in Central Europe to open at least one Central European base.
RL is convinced they can take the T3 business model into Europe.
One thing for sure…T3 will never enter the stock market, if RL has anything to do with it, judging by his comments!
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May 31, 2007 at 8:02 pm