NZFF

Thought they were selling quite well so this is a surprise - see article here- I guess most of the sales are for the Q400 - looks like the Q300s for Air Nelson wil be one of the last off the line.

I expect there will be an announcement soon from Air NZ for a possible order for new Gen Q400s (or maybe Embraer regional jets) to replace the ATRs.

Seems weird
I thought they were selling quite well.
They could go on for many more years because are there many other aircraft in this category? the ATR 42
There will always be a need of 25-50 seat airliners to service regional centres .
This may not be good news to Eagle as the Q200 would probably be the aircraft to replace the beech in a few years.

Cheers
Daniel

I dont think it will affect Eagle that badly- They probably wont update the whole fleet, and even if they do- Used its always an option.

I think you will find Mt Cook will go with the new ATR. Been reading and it seems that they have decided to keep the fleet comonality (Is that a Word??)

They are popular aircraft, but there's only 17 or so on backorder for both types.

They are also quite different from the Q400, so I guess Bombardier is just focussing on the Q400.
The difference between ATR and BBD is that the ATR series are very similar - the AT4 is pretty much a smaller version of the AT7, but the Q400 is not a stretch of the Q300 in the same way.
Basically, ATR can keep production of the 42 alive easier than Bombardier can keep the Q200 and Q300 alive.

Having said this, the Q200 and Q300 definitely have their place in the market - like Daniel says, there will always be a need for 25-50 seat airliners (especially for regional centres).
I think the market for Q200 and Q300 size planes would have grown in the future - fuel costs. etc.

At least the used market will still be strong for these aircraft.
Currently, I think that the used market is stronger than the new market for the Q200 and Q300 anyway.

Also, didn't Bombardier consider shortening the Q400 to make an advanced -300? Quite a while ago (years) if I remember, but it may be worth considering.

Cheers
Anthony

I agree with the above comments about the market for 25-50 seaters still being alive and kicking. I'd say the bulk of our provincial flights each carry this number of pax.

If NZM look at Q400s as AT72 replacements, they won't be too far off being considered 'too big' for provincial routes in NZ. After all, ANZ pulled B732 services to the provinces back in the early 90s and they were configured to seat 110 pax, which is only 32 more than a full Q400.

I'm inclined to agree with Ben that NZM are probably more likely to use the newer ATRs. I hope so anyway. Having a network operated by nothing other than Qxyz's would be just boring, particulary if Eagle were to come on board with the Q200s.

Eagle would never have Q200's, they aren't doing well at the moment, they can't afford bigger a/c.

victor_alpha_charlie wrote:

QUOTE (victor_alpha_charlie @ Apr 9 2008, 07:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Eagle would never have Q200's, they aren't doing well at the moment, they can't afford bigger a/c.

Aren't they going well at the moment? Whats happening?
I guess Air Nelson may be getting more demand and taking over some of eagles routes

Air Nelson have done great since they upgraded to the Q300. The company has done well and has a large fleet now

Cheers
Daniel

I dont think they would get the Q300. I think a few routes would have trouble with a 200...

Daniel wrote:

QUOTE (Daniel @ Apr 9 2008, 08:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Aren't they going well at the moment? Whats happening?
I guess they may be more demand for Q300 services etc

Air Nelson have done great since they upgraded to the Q300. The company has done well and has a large fleet now

Cheers
Daniel

I thought Eagle were doing pretty well too.
According to Air NZ's websites, the loads on EAG flights (at least the ones I checked) are pretty good (as in full).

Then again, the Q200 breaks the 19 seat rule, meaning Eagle would need an FA on their flights and some other changes.
In favour of the Q200, it is common with RLK's Q300 type for maintenance and stuff.
Maybe Eagle won't upgrade to the Q200 and any routes that need more than a Beech can just have a Q300 or stick with the Beech.

Bit off topic though.

Cheers
Anthony

Yup thats right- Thats why I said some Routes- I find it hard to beleive they would fill a Q200 on there low capacity routes, but easily from AKL/WLG-BHE etc.

RLK and Eagle have nothing to do with each other really, so it doesnt make a difference for maintenance etc.

No Idea what Eagle will fly, theres nothing Brand New, or still in production, on the market for them

benwynn wrote:

QUOTE (benwynn @ Apr 9 2008, 08:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yup thats right- Thats why I said some Routes- I find it hard to beleive they would fill a Q200 on there low capacity routes, but easily from AKL/WLG-BHE etc.

RLK and Eagle have nothing to do with each other really, so it doesnt make a difference for maintenance etc.

No Idea what Eagle will fly, theres nothing Brand New, or still in production, on the market for them

No they don't at this stage, but should Eagle get the Q200, it largely removes needs for operating two wholly owned subsidiaries on two AOCs, so in that case they might have something to do with each other.
I'm sure if it involves less cost and less hard work, Air NZ, RLK and EAG will be all for it.

True about there not being much around for them.
There's only 400 odd Beeches around, the EMB-120s are largely out of production, Q200's a bit big.

Cheers
Anthony