Aug 24 2011

Tajik Air places order for Sukhoi Superjet 100

The Tajik national air carrier, Tajik Air, has announced that it intends to acquire four Sukhoi Superjet-100s (SSJ-100), assuming that needed funding for the aircraft can be obtained. The first two Superjet-100s are expected to be in service with the airline by the end of 2013.

Currently there are 200 orders for the the Superjet 100, which is widely regarded as the most important project of the Russian civilian aircraft industry in some time.

Tajik Air, also known as Tajikistan Airlines, is the national air carrier of Tajikistan.  The airline’s hub is based at Dushanbe Airport, and it operates a secondary hub at Khujand Airport as well.

Currently the airline operates a mix of Russian aircraft types including the YAK-40, Tu-154M, TU-134A, and various models of the AN-26 and AN-24 aircraft. They also operate one 757 and two Classic 737 model aircraft in their fleet.

Aug 23 2011

SkyWest begins to plan large regional jet order

US regional airline group SkyWest Inc is beginning to make plans to place a firm order for several hundred regional jets as it takes delivery of its last four aircraft on firm order this year.

The airline group, which acquired ExpressJet Airlines last year, now has a fleet of 725 aircraft consisting of varied models of Bombardier and Embraer regional jets, many of which will be retired over the next several years as their leases end or the aircraft come to major checks which would be uneconomical to undertake on them.

The airline is examining its current and future agreements with major U.S. carriers and is undertaking an examination of its future growth options.

The airline group owns SkyWest Airlines, Atlantic Southeast Airlines (ASA), and ExpressJet Airlines and is in talks with four manufacturers about a firm order for hundreds of replacement regional jets.

Aug 17 2011

Ilyushin Finance deal to purchase C Series aircraft imminent

Ilyushin Finance Co., is in negotiations to purchase 30 C Series aircraft from Bombardier. The deal is expected to be completed by the end of November 2011.

The 30-plane order includes a letter of intent for 10 firm, 10 options and 10 purchase rights. Each group of 10 aircraft  is for seven CS300 130-seat and three CS100 110-seat aircraft.

The 30 aircraft are valued at about $1.8 billion U.S.

The CSeries’ maiden flight is scheduled for the middle of 2012.

Aug 05 2011

SkyWest signs agreement to operate CRJ200s as US Airways Express

SkyWest LogoSkyWest Airlines signed an agreement to operate 14 Bombardier Canadair Regional Jet Series 200 aircraft on Phoenix based US Airways Express services from 2012, adding US Airways to its capacity purchase agreements with mainline US carriers.

The three-year agreement, subject to approvals, also provides options to upgrade to larger CRJ700 series aircraft should demand on the serviced routes require it. SkyWest will replace CRJ200 and Dash 8 US Airways Express service currently provided from Phoenix by Mesa Airlines.