Yesterday, it was announced that BA CityFlyer’s 10 Avro RJ100s and two RJ85s will be replaced with E-Jets. British Airways has ordered six E170s and five E190SRs, with options for three more E190s. The aircraft will be used out of London City (LCY). It was mentioned in the press release that the lower emissions and greater fuel efficiency of these aircraft compared to the Avros was one of the main factors in the order.
I’m going to announce my total ignorance here – the 190SR? On the specifications page on the Embraer website, I see the AR, LR, and STD versions. Can anyone provide some more information on this variant?
Interestingly – if British Airways chooses not the exercise those options for additional E190s, capacity in terms of seats will be down about 26%. (That is, if the seat counts on BA CityFlyer’s Wikipedia page are correct. 
) If they do, capacity will grow a bit.
The first E170 will be delivered in the second half of 2009. The E190 needs to receive steep approach certification to operate out of London City (which the E170 obtained in 2007), though the Embraer press release reports that the aircraft is “undergoing a series of engineering evaluation tests with a view to receiving its steep approach certification by the end of 2009.”
Anyway, it will be a shame to see the Avros go away – I do think it is pretty cool to see a regional jet with four engines. Sadly, I don’t think I will every be able to ride one of them, as I think all of them are gone from commercial service in the US.
0 Responses to “BA CityFlyer to Receive a New Fleet”
Leave a Reply