ZKSUJ is correct.
Initital fleet was 11. 7 firm orders & 5 options for ATR72-600's. Since then 2 options have been made firm.
This announcement confirms the last 3 options and 1 extra firm order.
Recruitment for the first 6 -600's is probably complete as 5 have been delivered and the next one is only 7-8 weeks away. Therefore recruitment for 7 aircraft required plus any natural attrition replacements. Circa 60-80 required, using a more realistic 8-9 pilots per aircraft ratio.
Not everyone at Eagle will be gunning for a move to a main centre, so my guess is that a lot of those affected will be absorbed into Cook/Nelson over the next 2yrs should they wish.
It's a damn shame, the Beech was a great machine to operate, Eagle, for a few downside's was a great company and brilliant people to work with.
Unfortunately, reality bites and another chapter in NZ aviation comes to a close.
Kia Kaha Eagle chums,
S2k