Originally Posted by
shamrock7seal
The ATR72 600 is 10 tonnes lighter than the Dash 8 400 and obviously burns less fuel as a result. Although it is slower isn't this aircraft a better fit for Flybe in the long-term? They will surely need to start looking at replacing the Dash 8 400 in the future as the average age of the fleet is creeping up and will result in very expensive maintenance and engineering costs.
I was lead to believe the weight difference is closer to 4 - 5 tonne?
Flybe have recently evaluated their current and future fleet needs. For the next 3-5 years at least, the Q400s will remain the backbone of the fleet alongside the E175s. The ATR will of course have been part of the recent evaluation. However, for now, the Q400's "close to jet like speed", the efficiency within that field and its slightly higher seating capacity best suits the operation and avoids unnecessary costs right now that a new type would bring.
For much of the route network i do actually see the Q400 as the best frame for Flybe, especially when needing to be flexible with fitting in with the E-Jet schedules from time to time as well as operating on some longer sector routes. With a potential to be able to further increase the seating capacity on the Q400 aircraft, they could further improve their efficiency in this way alone and improve available seats on the network without too much significant cost.
That's not to say i dislike the ATR of course. But right now i fully understand the reasoning behind Flybes future fleet strategy evaluations and see it as the best fit for their ops for the foreseeable.