Flybe to receive first of 35 E175s in late Aug-2011

Flybe Group stated (17-Aug-2011) two new Q400 aircraft were delivered in the quarter to 30-Jun-2011 with a further Q400 delivered in Jul-2011. This was the final delivery of Flybe's firm orders of Q400 aircraft. The first four deliveries of the 35 firm orders for 88-seat E175 regional jets are due for delivery in 2011, starting in late Aug-2011. As part of its ongoing policy of optimising its fleet capacity, Flybe recently announced the disposal of three Q400 aircraft to Rand Merchant Bank of Johannesburg, which will lease them to South African Express. These Q400 aircraft were bought new from Bombardier by Flybe in 2007, and the sale prices provide a "modest profit above the aircraft book values", the carrier said. The first of the three aircraft has been delivered to RMB, and the remaining two are scheduled to be delivered by 30-Sep-2011.