P8nt - I think it would be true to say that in order to apply for a job with Astraeus, and to stand any chance of getting it, you have to present yourself with a type-rating for a B737 (-300 or –700) and / or B757 already in your license. Indeed the
AEU recruitment page effectively says as much.
Riker - All Astraeus' aircraft are leased.
The two B737-700's you refer to were returned slight ahead of schedule ( at the behest of the leasing company ) in order that they could be put into service with another airline in the Far East – this was a mutually beneficial arrangement for all concerned – and if they have been replaced then it’s been with B757’s.
For the future, it would be very hard to second guess what’s in-store, as it’s a fast moving business…… but, that said, I believe that ( in a few months from now ) Astraeus will be operating an additional 4 x B737’s ( probably –300’s - to based in Birmingham & Exeter - so go figure who this is for
) by way of a ‘damp lease’ arrangement, i.e. AEU supply the aircraft, pilots and operational support ( just as they already do for Iceland Express and Air Asia ) and the airline customers supply the brand, the cabin crew and the passengers.
Accordingly, Astraeus’ proposed fleet for summer 2005 looks like it will comprise of:
- 7 x B737-300’s
- 2 x B737-700’s
- 3 x B757-200’s ( with maybe a fourth )
It would seem quite obvious, and the above web link says as much, that there will be recruitment to match this growth in the fleet.
Hope this helps.