Regional airline Eastern Airways has re-entered the E-Jet market as it spreads its wings once again as an independent operator.
This month will see the Humberside Airport-based carrier welcome back an Embraer 170 to the fleet - the first of a proposed five from the Brazilian manufacturer - after the short to mid-range narrow body jet was withdrawn from service under previous owner Bristow’s tenure.
Bought back by founder Richard Lake OBE when the airport-owning helicopter specialist found itself close to collapse last May, the airline is now seeing significant growth in the ad-hoc charter market, with demand for 70 to 100 seat jets - known as the E-class.
The first will re-enter service this month, with a second addition planned, as well as three of the larger Embraer 190 models as 2020 progresses.
Roger Hage, Eastern Airways’ general manager for commercial and operations, said: “We are pleased to see the return of the E-Jets to our fleet giving us an entry into new ad-hoc charter and ACMI [the lease of aircraft, maintenance and insurance to another operator] markets, alongside an option to evolve our scheduled service network, especially as we expand this fleet through the year.”
The Embraer 170-100 LR jet has a range of more than 1,800 miles and is powered by two General Electric CF34-8E 5A1 jet engines with a maximum cruise speed of 553mph. It brings routes such as Norwich to Aberdeen within an hour’s flight time, and most European destinations, including the Mediterranean, to a little over two hours.
Both the Embraer 170 and 190 have the ability of offering steep approaches to restricted airports, good short-field performance and long-range operations making them one of the most flexible aircraft in the up to 100-seat market.
The Brazilian-built Embraer 190 is commonly operated by both UK and European airlines. Mr Hage said it will offer expanded larger capacity scheduled and charter opportunities to fit the airline’s growth plans, complementing the Embraer 170.
Formed in 1997 to serve the East Coast energy corridor , it has evolved to offer scheduled flights as well as corporate and sports contracts, as well as one-off charters.
Eastern operates the 37-seater Embraer 135 and 50-seat Embraer 145 also.
An operator of a Flybe franchise in Scotland, Kirmington eyes will be on developments in Exeter too, with rescue talks understood to be ongoing.
