Turkish Airlines and Japan Airlines are close to adding “several dozen” Airbus A220 and Embraer E2 to their fleets. These airlines have already announced plans to expand and modernize their regional fleets.
The A220-300 can carry between 120 and 160 passengers, depending on the cabin configuration. It has a flight range of 6,300 kilometers and a list price of US$91.5 million. The E195-E2, on the other hand, can be equipped with up to 132 seats and fly a distance of 5,700 kilometers. Its price, meanwhile, is US$60 million.
Turkish Airlines opts for the A220-300
First, Turkish Airlines is preparing to order “around 30” regional aircraft in order to meet demand, which is growing as the pandemic is receding. As reported by haber.aero, the recovery in travel has prompted the airline to conduct regional route analyses, and management is reportedly ready to order approximately 30 Airbus A220-300s.
According to the publication, the lower operating cost and greater range of the Airbus A220 led the company to choose it over the Embraer E2. In addition, the airline already operates aircraft from the European manufacturer: it has A320-family aircraft (neo and ceo versions), A330, and A350. It does not have any Embraer aircraft in its fleet.
Japan Airlines is still undecided
Japan Airlines plans to replace its aging Boeing 767 and Embraer E190 fleet within two years. According to an airline executive interviewed by Reuters during the last IATA AGM, JAL will consider 787s and Airbus A321neo as possible replacements for its 767s. Also, the A220 and E2 will be discussed as replacements for the company’s regional jets.
Ross Leggett, the airline’s head of route marketing, international relations, and alliances, stated during the AGM held in Doha that “we have a fairly large 787 fleet, but at the same time the A321 could be used within Asia…we haven’t really made a decision yet.” JAL has 31 Boeing 767s, 18 Embraer E-170s, and 14 E-190s in its fleet.
Leggett said the airline had reached 100% of pre-pandemic domestic levels last May. In the international market, meanwhile, its capacity is around 65% of pre-pandemic levels.
