KLM Cityhopper is to replace its 15 oldest Fokker 100 aircraft with ten Embraer 190s, new from the factory, and five Fokker 70s from sister company, Air France subsidiary R”gional.
Air France KLM Group has confirmed an order with the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer for 20 regional jets of the E170/175 and E190/195 family, as well as options for a further 18. Half the aircraft will go to KLM Cityhopper and the other half to R”gional, with deliveries beginning next year.
Commenting on the investment KLM Cityhopper managing director, Michel Coumans, said: ”We are very pleased with the purchase of ten new Embraer aircraft and the adoption of five Fokker 70s from R”gional. This fleet rejuvenation programme is an investment in the quality of the product and service for our customers and in the future of KLM”s regional operations.
”Furthermore, this investment is a means of decreasing unit costs and reducing impact on the environment and climate.
”The fact that we have coordinated our programme with R”gional also shows how we can gain synergy benefits through joint fleet planning within the Air France KLM Group.”
KLM Cityhopper is a wholly-owned KLM subsidiary. With a fleet of 55 aircraft, it operates around 270 intra-European flights a day to 45 destinations. R”gional has been established in its present form since 2001 and already operates three Embraer 190s. It also has a large fleet of EMB 145.