UK regional carrier British European Airlines hopes to marshal more active support ofairframe manufacturers as it considers a larger, longer-range replacement for its BAe 146s. Since a loss in 2000 to 2001 continued into the following financial year, a change of leadership has seen an overhaul of the airline (which now brands itself a low-fare operator, marketed as Flybe) and its fleet under managing director Jim French, who predicts a return to profit in the 12 months leading to March 31 of next year. If the airline can sustain the turnaround, it could become an attractive prospect for further investment by its present private-trust owners or by venture capitalists, according to French.
By the end of this month, BE will have relinquished its Bombardier CRJs, all four aircraft having been placed with Air Sahara to support the Indian operator’s fleet of Boeing 737s. To build the turboprop element of a planned two-type fleet, the airline is taking seventeen 78-seat Bombardier Q400s (joining an existing four aircraft) and holds options on a further 20, which, if exercised, could see deliveries continuing to 2008. It has already traded in three Q200s and four Q300s. After it takes four new aircraft this year, BE will receive eight Dash 8s next year and five during 2005 and 2006. The jet contingent comprises BAe 146-200/300s and BE expects to see a number of short-term 146 wet- and dry-lease arrangements during the next several months as crews re-train and the airline completes its initial fleet overhaul.
