newstodate.aero
Oct 13, 2005 (newstodate): Pending a strategic decision on its future aircraft fleet, Atlantic Airways is currently evaluating the existing alternatives.
The carrier currently operates a fleet of four BAe 146-200 aircraft.
-We are in no hurry, but we want to be well prepared to take this very important decision, also awaiting an outcome of the long drawn-out political debate on an extension of the short runway at the Faroe Islands' Vagar Airport, says Magni Arge, Atlantic Airways managing director.
-We must of course note that BAe does not produce commercial aircraft any more, so we are left to evaluate the options represented by Airbus, Boeing and Embraer, focussing on the Airbus A319, the Boeing 737-700, and the Embraer 190.
-We are familiar with the Boeing 737 from Maersk Air's earlier operations here, and we have just been introduced to the Airbus A319 that visited us earlier this week. Finally, we have still to see the Embraer 190 here, as we want to evaluate the alternatives under our concrete operational conditions, he says.
-It seems that the Airbus alternative proved a viable option. It is a wonderful aircraft, but we have to weigh units costs and procurement costs very carefully. On the other hand, lower fuel burn and maintenance costs are also important factors in the decision.
-Under the current conditions, the Airbus A319 performs nicely even with the existing runway, while we know that the Boeing 737-700 will have a payload penalty. This difference will be levelled out if the runway is extended by 150 meters, but it remains to be seen which direction the political process will take, says Mr Arge.
The carrier currently operates a fleet of four BAe 146-200 aircraft.
-We are in no hurry, but we want to be well prepared to take this very important decision, also awaiting an outcome of the long drawn-out political debate on an extension of the short runway at the Faroe Islands' Vagar Airport, says Magni Arge, Atlantic Airways managing director.
-We must of course note that BAe does not produce commercial aircraft any more, so we are left to evaluate the options represented by Airbus, Boeing and Embraer, focussing on the Airbus A319, the Boeing 737-700, and the Embraer 190.
-We are familiar with the Boeing 737 from Maersk Air's earlier operations here, and we have just been introduced to the Airbus A319 that visited us earlier this week. Finally, we have still to see the Embraer 190 here, as we want to evaluate the alternatives under our concrete operational conditions, he says.
-It seems that the Airbus alternative proved a viable option. It is a wonderful aircraft, but we have to weigh units costs and procurement costs very carefully. On the other hand, lower fuel burn and maintenance costs are also important factors in the decision.
-Under the current conditions, the Airbus A319 performs nicely even with the existing runway, while we know that the Boeing 737-700 will have a payload penalty. This difference will be levelled out if the runway is extended by 150 meters, but it remains to be seen which direction the political process will take, says Mr Arge.