Dec 30 2013
On December 30, 2013, Embraer announced that Saratov Airlines would be the first E-Jet customer in Russia. The airline leased two Embraer 195s that will start operations in early 2014.
The aircraft will be configured with 114 seats in a dual class configuration and will operate from the airline’s base at Saratov Airport. The aircraft will operate scheduled services and charter flights to Dubai, Europe, Asia and Africa.
Dec 28 2013
Air Astana took delivery of a single Embraer 190 aircraft in late December 2013. The airline plans to operated the aircraft on services to the CIS and Caucasus.
The first Embraer 190 joined Air Astana in March 2011 and was part of the airline’s Fokker 50 replacement program, the last of which was retired in December 2012.
Air Astana now operates a fleet of 30 aircraft of which 10 are aircraft owned by the airline and 20 are leased aircraft.
Dec 18 2013
On December 18th, 2013, Bombardier announced that Air Cote d’Ivoire had firmed its agreement to purchase two Q400 NextGens with options on an additional two aircraft.
Bombardier’s Dash 8/Q-Series and CRJ aircraft now comprise 50 per cent of the fleet of 37 to 120 seat aircraft in Africa with 160 aircraft in service or on order by more than 40 operators.
Worldwide, Q400 and Q400 NextGen aircraft have transported more than 295 million passengers and have logged over 4.7 million flight hours with more than 5 million take-offs and landings. There are 50 customers and operators of Q400s in over 30 countries on five continents.
Dec 14 2013
Arik Air on December 14th, 2013 took delivery of the airline’s first CRJ1000 NextGen aircraft from Bombardier. The airline is the first operator of the CRJ1000 in Africa and the aircraft is the first of three ordered by the airline at the Paris Air show in June 2012.
The aircraft arrived at the airline’s aviation center at Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos to a reception and walk around tour for the attending media and airline employees.