Cityjet
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I suppose the surprising thing is the CRJ900 and the Sukhoi are pretty much comparable aircraft. Wonder why they got both
No different to being the launch customer for any other airliner really. Cityjet is effectively Sukhoi's European launch customer. Or even "Western" launch customer if you don't consider Mexico to be in the Western world...
Both types have not been good sellers in recent years and if Cityjet have got some decent lease-by-the-hour deal on them then they may serve them well.
Cityjet's half-brother VLM has apparently also had some on-off interest in acquiring the Sukhoi in recent times.
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Why are you guys so focused on CRJ900@LCY?
The PR is crystal clear:
Irish airline CityJet has been awarded a major wet lease contract by SAS (Scandinavian Airlines) to operate a network of regional routes from Helsinki, Oslo and Stockholm . Commencing in March 2016, CityJet will operate services on behalf of SAS using eight new aircraft, with an option to increase to 14 aircraft in 2017.
CityJet has also announced that it is to acquire eight 90-seat Bombardier CRJ900 regional jets, major components of which are manufactured by Bombardier Aerospace in Belfast. The CRJ900 fleet will be operated exclusively on behalf of SAS, with all aircraft in SAS colours and crewed by CityJet staff.
The CRJ900 is SAS's 100 seater of choice. They have a fleet of the type at CPH operated by Cimber Air and now Cityjet will complement that operation at the other SAS bases. It has nothing to do with Cityjet's own operation at LCY at all. They are simply the cheap jack for SAS.
The PR is crystal clear:
Irish airline CityJet has been awarded a major wet lease contract by SAS (Scandinavian Airlines) to operate a network of regional routes from Helsinki, Oslo and Stockholm . Commencing in March 2016, CityJet will operate services on behalf of SAS using eight new aircraft, with an option to increase to 14 aircraft in 2017.
CityJet has also announced that it is to acquire eight 90-seat Bombardier CRJ900 regional jets, major components of which are manufactured by Bombardier Aerospace in Belfast. The CRJ900 fleet will be operated exclusively on behalf of SAS, with all aircraft in SAS colours and crewed by CityJet staff.
Virginblue
The question was asked by WHBM as to why Cityjet ordered the Sukoi fleet after having already ordered the CRJ-900s rather than simply increasing its CRJ order. I was just pointing out that they had to order a different type to replace the RJs as the CRJ isn't LCY capable. Otherwise operational logic would possibly have indicated they do what WHMB was suggesting.
The question was asked by WHBM as to why Cityjet ordered the Sukoi fleet after having already ordered the CRJ-900s rather than simply increasing its CRJ order. I was just pointing out that they had to order a different type to replace the RJs as the CRJ isn't LCY capable. Otherwise operational logic would possibly have indicated they do what WHMB was suggesting.
Actually my question was why order the CRJ900 when it was known by then that the comparable Sukhoi was coming to their LCY fleet. It's not as if Finland (home base of Blue1) is somehow against Russian products when they are one of its principal trading partners. It was of course apparent that the CRJ was never capable of handling Cityjet's principal network point at LCY, but now they will need two new types on their AOC, two new sets of procedures, crews who cannot be exchanged, etc, all coming on stream at the same time. It may be that the SAS deal is so lucrative that it covers all this, but that does seem unlikely, doesn't it ?
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I think it is quite obvious: SAS is looking for a cheap jack that is willing to operate an aircraft selected by SAS. If I am not mistaken, SAS has outsourced its own CRJ900s to Cimber Air and pitting Cityjet against Cimber with the same type makes good sense in the long run to keep costs down. If SAS would have demanded ERJ190, Cityjet would probably have ordered that type just as well.
Airlines don't typically specify a particular manufacturers' aircraft type for their subcontracted commuter carriers, they just specify a certain capability. Especially if they are looking for a "cheap jack", as you describe. I'm pretty sure BA didn't set out to specify the Dornier 328 or the Saab 2000 for their two subcontracted operators who do prop aircraft service into LCY, so unless SAS actually have some financial arrangement with Bombardier I can't see the tie up, or the additional costs that Cityjet will be put to. Given that SAS were probably keen for someone to take Blue1 off their hands, I would have thought the purchaser held all the cards here.
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It is not a simple ACMI contract involving one or two Saabs. We are talking about outsourcing a large, long-term operation that mirrors a similar operation in Denmark. I doubt that Cityjet was calling the shots here. I would expect that SAS tendered the whole deal.
Or do you have an explanation why Flybe did not force the Q400 upon SAS and instead ordered ATR72s? Same story here - Flybe being pitched against Jettime with the same type of aircraft.
Or do you have an explanation why Flybe did not force the Q400 upon SAS and instead ordered ATR72s? Same story here - Flybe being pitched against Jettime with the same type of aircraft.
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Why would Flybe care if the likes of Cityjet are calling the shots 
I think we are seeing a strategy by SAS to outsource their 70 seat and 100 seat business, dividing the market between one carrier each at CPH and OSL/ARN (Jettime vs. Flybe and Cimber vs. Cityjet) with siilar equipment to allow maximum flexiblity scheduling-wise.
I think we are seeing a strategy by SAS to outsource their 70 seat and 100 seat business, dividing the market between one carrier each at CPH and OSL/ARN (Jettime vs. Flybe and Cimber vs. Cityjet) with siilar equipment to allow maximum flexiblity scheduling-wise.
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WX 314 ORK-LCY
Had a couple of funny days. Diverted into LHR yesterday (fourth time this week according to FR24) and almost immediately diverted to DUB today after takeoff. All affected flights operated by same aircraft EI-RJI.
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Didn't divert to LHR at all. Just FR24 errors. It did however divert to Dublin earlier today.
X1 divert is not so unusual then, prob tech or sick passenger.