Eastern Airways joins the jet set
AIRLINE Eastern Airways, which operates frequent flights from Birmingham International Airport, has expanded its fleet to improve its private charter flights service.
The airline has taken delivery of an Embraer 135 jet aircraft and signed a leased agreement for a second, increasing its fleet of aircraft to 30.
The UK regional airline currently operates an all turbo-prop fleet consisting of 29-seater British Aerospace Jetstream 41 and 50-seater Saab 2000 aircraft on its domestic network, as well as private charter flights.
A lease deal has been signed between the airline and GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) for the 37-seater Embraer regional jets. Delivery of the first aircraft (serial number 145189) took place last month with the second aircraft (serial number 145198) is expected today (Wednesday).
The Embraer aircraft will be assigned to the charter flying programme serving blue-chip companies, corporations and individual groups across the UK and mainland Europe.
With a cruising speed of 502mph and two Rolls Royce engines, the aircraft is the fastest passenger jet available in the 30-40 seat market.
Chris Holliday, Eastern Airways’ chief operating officer, said: “The Embraer jet complements our fleet and gives us tremendous flexibility as we can offer 29, 37 and 50 seat aircraft to the private charter market. We can also adjust capacity to meet demand on scheduled services as and when required.
“We have operated Embraers in the past and the time is now right to reintroduce the fast 37-seater to fill a gap primarily in the charter market serving central and eastern Europe.”
Eastern Airways also has eight Saab 2000 in its fleet and is the largest operator in the world of Jetstream 41 aircraft with 20.
From Birmingham, the airline currently offers three flights each weekday to Newcastle with onward connections to Bergen in Norway.
In all, Eastern Airways operates 800 flights each week from airports including Aberdeen, Bergen (Norway), Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Durham Tees Valley, East Midlands, Humberside, Leeds Bradford, Liverpool, Newcastle, Norwich, Southampton, Stavanger (Norway), Stornoway and Wick.
In addition to its scheduled services, Eastern Airways operates a special to-order passenger aircraft charter service in the UK and mainland Europe for corporate and private clients.
