Swiss sells its 25 ERJ-145, tries to pay two ERJ-170
According to a report of Jans Flottau in the NZZ dated March 1st Swiss is selling its remaining 25 ERJ-145 "in order to reduce the size of its regional fleet" (formely Crossair).
Flottau further explains that Swiss is also trying to shift its 30 ERJ-195 orders to the smaller (and sooner-to-be-on-the-market) ERJ 190. But the autor stops short of saying whether Swiss would stick by 30 A/C in this category or also reduce the number of orders.
Last but not least, the article also say that Swiss is negociating with GECAS the financing of (only) two ERJ-170 it's supposed to acquire this year. The original order was of 30 pieces...
My comment: it looks as if Swiss is cutting down its regional fleet anywhere it can. It also decided to move 5 Saab 2000 to European Continental Airways (ECA known as Crossair Europe), a full subsidiary based in Mulhausen and flying under French AOC. Some routes towards Austria and Germany are also said to be flown by third parties on an ACMI base. Swiss did not communicate those changes (*) to the public and does not seem to be willing to. Any idea why?
(*) Except an ACMI agreement with Cirrus on the Geneva-Lugano route because Swiss A/C performances and safety requirements the FOCA suddenly became aware of after years of infringment do not allow Swiss to fly Agno economically anymore...