newstodate.aero
Apr 12, 2012 (newstodate): The Latvian carrier airBaltic is again reversing its decision on when to phase out the fleet of aging Fokker 50 aircraft.
The message now is that the Fokker 50 will be phased out in 2012 already, and not in 2014 as earlier announced.
In 2009, the carrier said the Fokker 50 would be operated "at least" till 2013.
But in 2011 the decision was announced to phase out all 10 Fokker 50 aircraft with the implementation of the winter schedules from end of October 2011.
The carrier has a fleet of 10 Fokker 50 aircraft, of which only five are actually operated leaving the other half of the fleet within a closed hangar.
Instead of the Fokker 50 capacity, airBaltic will now take in a further three Bombardier Q400 aircraft to supplement the existing fleet of eight Q400 aircraft from Denmark's aircraft leasing company Nordic Aviation Capital.
The message now is that the Fokker 50 will be phased out in 2012 already, and not in 2014 as earlier announced.
In 2009, the carrier said the Fokker 50 would be operated "at least" till 2013.
But in 2011 the decision was announced to phase out all 10 Fokker 50 aircraft with the implementation of the winter schedules from end of October 2011.
The carrier has a fleet of 10 Fokker 50 aircraft, of which only five are actually operated leaving the other half of the fleet within a closed hangar.
Instead of the Fokker 50 capacity, airBaltic will now take in a further three Bombardier Q400 aircraft to supplement the existing fleet of eight Q400 aircraft from Denmark's aircraft leasing company Nordic Aviation Capital.