newstodate.aero
Jul 25, 2011 (newstodate): The Latvian carrier airBaltic is revising its aircraft fleet plan and will phase out its Fokker 50s from 2011, already.
Earlier the carrier intended to utilize the Fokker 50 aircraft until "at least" 2013, but instead the process will start from the coming winter schedule.
-The Fokker 50 is an excellent aircraft. However, the new reality of increasing fuel prices, mounting cost pressures, coupled with the volatility of the markets in Europe and unrest in the Middle East, requires us to further improve the efficiency of the airline, the airline says in a release.
The cost-efficiency of its successor, Bombardier Q400, has made the Fokker 50 operations comparatively unsustainable as the maintenance costs of the Fokker 50 fleet are also increasing.
As a result of the withdrawal of the Fokker 50 fleet, the carrier will optimize its route network from the winter schedule, meaning that routes less in demand will go.
airBaltic now operates 10 Fokker 50 aircraft, and after their retirement the carrier plans to add more units to the Bombardier Q400 fleet that now comprises eight aircraft.
Earlier the carrier intended to utilize the Fokker 50 aircraft until "at least" 2013, but instead the process will start from the coming winter schedule.
-The Fokker 50 is an excellent aircraft. However, the new reality of increasing fuel prices, mounting cost pressures, coupled with the volatility of the markets in Europe and unrest in the Middle East, requires us to further improve the efficiency of the airline, the airline says in a release.
The cost-efficiency of its successor, Bombardier Q400, has made the Fokker 50 operations comparatively unsustainable as the maintenance costs of the Fokker 50 fleet are also increasing.
As a result of the withdrawal of the Fokker 50 fleet, the carrier will optimize its route network from the winter schedule, meaning that routes less in demand will go.
airBaltic now operates 10 Fokker 50 aircraft, and after their retirement the carrier plans to add more units to the Bombardier Q400 fleet that now comprises eight aircraft.