JetBird cancels order for 50 Phenoms, revises startup
JetBird the VLJ taxi operator has cancelled orders with Embraer for 50 Phenom 100 aircraft. It is understood that some of the aircraft had already been built but were reconfigured and sold to alternate buyers. The Irish owned VLJ air taxi operator had hoped to commence operations from its Cologne base last year but the start up was postponed several times throughout the year. The closest that JetBird came to operations was in August when a demonstration tour was organised in late August visiting Germany and Denmark.
Jetbird is currently seeking additional finance, reportedly in the region of $5m to $10m, which will allow it to launch operations. Embraer and JetBird are currently renegotiating a contract which will see a revised delivery schedule and slower ramp up. The original contract was for 50 aircraft with 50 options.