By Lisa Gordon | January 19, 2015 Estimated reading time 1 minute, 38 seconds.
Ottawa-based First Air is reportedly adding an Avro RJ-85 to its fleet to help service northern destinations. The aircraft, which will be wet-leased from Yellowknife-based Summit Air, is a 90-seat short-haul quad-jet which has been fitted for operations into both paved and unpaved airstrips. According to Summit Air, its RJ-85 features a modern glass cockpit, FADEC controlled engines with autothrottle, and a range of 1,500 nautical miles.
The Avro RJ-85 is being touted as a next generation successor to the venerable Boeing 737-200, which for years has been the only jet capable of servicing Arctic destinations with short gravel landing strips. With maintenance costs escalating for the 737-200 fleet, northern operators such as First Air are looking for alternative solutions.
The Avro RJ-85 is being touted as a next generation successor to the Boeing 737-200. Summit Aviation Photo
Other aircraft types in the First Air fleet include the Boeing 737-400, Boeing 767-223 Super Freighter, Lockheed L382G Super Hercules, and ATR 42/72s, in addition to the Boeing 737-200. Aircraft are deployed in passenger, freighter or combi configurations as required.
