Irish newcomer looks to double fleet of Embraers
New Irish regional airline Jetmagic hopes to double its fleet by the end of this month by adding another pair of Embraer jets to its existing complement of

New Irish regional airline Jetmagic hopes to double its fleet by the end of this month by adding another pair of Embraer jets to its existing complement of two ERJ-145s leased from Swiss International Air Lines. Along with adding capacity, the airline’s plans for at least one 37-seat ERJ-135 will allow it to fly from its Cork base to London City Airport, where steep approach requirements disqualify the 50-seat ERJ-145.

Jetmagic opened services in April, but until the new airline secured an Irish air operator’s certificate in late May it had to rely on Swiss for wet-lease capacity. Since then Jetmagic signed a “medium-term” dry-lease deal for the airplanes, which Swiss had already registered in Ireland because JAA regulations do not apply in Switzerland. Jetmagic chief executive Patrick Raftery said the contract runs for less than five years.