Tag Archives: BAe RJ85

Air France-KLM to sell CityJet to Intro Aviation

Air France (Paris) and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (Amsterdam) have received a firm offer from Intro Aviation of Germany to acquire CityJet (Dublin) and VLM Airlines for an undisclosed amount. The sale is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2014. CityJet is expected to continue to fly for Air France.

The group issued this short statement:

On December 19, 2013, Air France-KLM received a firm offer from Intro Aviation GmbH to purchase CityJet and its subsidiary, VLM.

This offer provides for an ongoing commercial co-operation with Air France as part of a new industrial plan.

Employee representative bodies of the various entities will be informed and consulted.

The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2014.

Copyright Photo: Keith Burton/AirlinersGallery.com. CityJet’s BAe RJ85 EI-RJJ (msn E2347) climbs away from the runway at Southend.

CityJet (Ireland):

CityJet’s routes from London City Airport:

Air France to sell CityJet to Intro Aviation of Germany

CityJet (Dublin), a subsidiary of Air France (Paris), has been for sale since September 2012. According to this report by Independent.ie, the feeder airline will be sold to German turnaround specialist Intro Aviation. Intro specializes in buying money losing carriers, turning around the fortunes of the airline and then reselling the carrier when it is on better financial footing.

Today’s CityJet was formed from a merger between the old CityJet and VLM Airlines.

Both airlines were formed in the early 1990s, with a focus on providing high quality, high frequency services to business travellers flying between London and key points in the UK, Ireland and mainland Europe.

Established from a Dublin base in 1993, CityJet commenced services in January 1994, with its first scheduled flights on the Dublin to London City route. In the same year, VLM Airlines began its first scheduled service from Antwerp to London City.

CityJet commenced its alliance with Air France in 1996, operating the Paris Charles de Gaulle to London City route under contract.

In early 2000, Air France-KLM assumed sole ownership of CityJet, marked with the airline operating routes linking Europe to its parent company’s Charles de Gaulle hub.

2007 saw CityJet announce a major expansion of it’s London City network, with the opening of eight new routes, in addition to the existing Dublin and Paris operations (see map below):

CityJet’s senior management team is led by CEO Christine Ourmières.

Read the full story: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: SM Fitzwilliams Collection/AirlinersGallery.com. Formerly operated by Mesaba Airlines for NWA Airlink as N526XJ, BAe RJ85 EI-RJN (msn E2351) arrives back at the Dublin base (click on the photo for the full size view). All other photos by CityJet.

CityJet:

Video:

Lufthansa CityLine retires the last British Aerospace AVRO RJ85

Lufthansa CityLine (Lufthansa Regional) (Cologne/Bonn) today (August 27) said goodbye after 18 years to its AVRO (British Aerospace) fleet with the last revenue flight arriving at the Munich hub.

After 18 years, the last of 18 British Aerospace AVRO RJ85s left the fleet. Operating under flight number LH 1985, RJ85 D-AVRR (msn E2317) flew its last scheduled revenue flight. The last flight arrived at 11.10 hours local time on a flight from Cologne to Munich. Lufthansa CityLine has replaced the type with newer Embraer ERJ 190s and ERJ 195s.

The company operated the the first “Jumbolino” flight in 1994 with the registration of D-AVRO. The operation of the four-engined jet aircraft set the stage for the development of Lufthansa CityLine as an all-jet operator. In the past 18 years, the AVRO fleet has accumulated more than 575,000 flights and flown more than 30 million passengers safely to their destinations.

Lufthansa CityLine is a 100 percent subsidiary of Deutsche Lufthansa AG. Lufthansa Regional operates around 350 daily flight to 75 destinations in 24 European countries.

Top Copyright Photo: Lufthansa. D-AVRR arrives to the traditional water cannon salute at MUC on its last arrival today.

Lufthansa CityLine Slide Show:

Bottom Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. D-AVRR arrives at London (Heathrow) during one of its routine safe journeys.

Air Botswana adds its first BAe RJ85, introduces a new brand promoting the destination of Botswana

Air Botswana (Gaborone) is getting ready to take delivery of its first BAe RJ85, this former Lufthansa CityLine jetliner. The airline has also taken the opportunity to introduce this new color scheme which promotes the exotic country destination of Botswana in southern Africa.

Copyright Photo: Rainer Bexten. BAe RJ85 A2-ABG (msn E2303, ex D-AVRP) is pictured being prepared for the handover at Cologne/Bonn. The new livery also includes the new “Our pride, your destination” tagline.

Hot New Photos:

Air Botswana:

Lufthansa CityLine to retire the last BAe RJ85 on August 27

Lufthansa CityLine (Cologne/Bonn) will operate the last BAe (Avro) RJ85 revenue flight on August 27 per Airline Route. The historic last flight will be a roundtrip from Munich to Cologne and back. CityLine has operated the type since 1994.

Lufthansa CityLine:

Air France considers selling loss-making CityJet

Air France (Paris) is considering selling subsidiary CityJet (Dublin) as one of its options to reduce its cost according to this article by the Independent.ie.

Read the full article: CLICK HERE

Air France-CityJet: