Crossair has finalised plans to boost its fleet, with deals to acquire up to 14 additional aircraft, including Saab 2000s, Aero International (Regional) Avro RJ100s and Boeing MD-83s.
The Swissair regional subsidiary, based at Basle, operates a fleet of some 65 aircraft, including Saab 340s, Saab 2000s, British Aerospace 146s, Avro RJs and Boeing MD-80s.
Orders have been placed with Saab for six 2000s for delivery in 1998 (four) and 1999 (two), along with two options, and the airline will take two RJ100s each in 1998 and 1999. Two secondhand MD-83s will be leased in early 1998.
The 2000 order is one of two new contracts received by Saab since it revealed that it is considering the closure of its regional-aircraft production lines (Flight International, 19-25 November). Mesaba placed the other order, for 19 more 340s.
The extra aircraft will boost Crossair's fleet to 77. They will be used to help the airline replace smaller aircraft with larger types on some routes, as well as to boost frequencies and add new routes from Basle to London City, Rome and Stockholm. The MD-83s will allow Crossair to boost its charters.
Source: Flight International
