Great News for Cityjet
Press Release
CityJet has today announced that it has concluded negotiations for the acquisition of 23 Avro RJ85 aircraft.
With a value of $221m the acquisition represents significant investment for the Dublin-based Air France subsidiary.
The strategic importance of the deal is underpinned by the commitment of the world's largest airline group, Air France - KLM to investment in global inward access to Ireland, at a commercially challenging time in the aviation industry.
The phased introduction of the new aircraft from November 2006 represents significant investment not only in fleet replacement, but also in the company's future.
All the new deliveries are part of the same production family and with a younger airframe will deliver substantial savings on maintenance costs.
The close relationship of the new aircraft type to the BAe 146 currently operated allows the airline to dovetail its introduction into the existing fleet.
Launched in 1992, and with the most recent rolling off the production line in 2003, the Avro RJ85 regional jet has been an influential player in the development of regional air transport. Powered by Honeywell LF 507 turbofan engines, it is specifically designed to perform on shorter runways, essential for CityJet's operation into airports like London City and Florence.
The aircraft is equipped with the most up-to-date flight deck and navigation systems, and all-weather landing capability.
Passengers will benefit from an all-new interior, focused on enhanced passenger comfort - sculpted leather seating, improved standard seat pitch and enhanced baggage stowage space in the cabin.
To strengthen the image of Ireland as an island and to promote further interest in the country, each aircraft will be named after one of the many islands off the Irish coast, focusing on those that have particularly strong cultural, historical or natural attractions.
CityJet will operate the aircraft across its European network, with 4 abreast seating in Business class and 6 abreast in Economy, allowing it the flexibility to adjust the internal capacity to changing demand.
According to CityJet CEO Geoffrey O'Byrne-White, the choice of aircraft for the company was determined by a number of key factors, including its ease of introduction thanks to its shared characteristics with the BAe 146, its enhanced performance and economics.
Post 9/11 and SARS, the Avro series has seen an increase in demand as the aircraft is particularly suited to European regional carriers whose routes tend to consist of shorter sectors and high frequencies, feeding major hubs and helping to compete against the low-cost carriers."
In taking delivery of these aircraft, CityJet will join the ranks of other European RJ85 operators including Lufthansa CityLine, BA Connect, Swiss and SN Brussels, resulting in the Avro series becoming the fleet of choice for leading regional carriers.
Based in Swords, Co Dublin and employing 580 staff, CityJet's core operation is high frequency business and connecting flights, typically on key routes like Dublin - Paris Charles de Gaulle and Dublin-London City.
Last year the airline carried 1.5 million passengers, with a turnover of €254m, an increase of 18% on the previous year.
Shame the RJX isn't around
