TAP Portugal to gradually renew PGA Portugalia's fleet by 2016

 Fernando Pinto says his airline will gradually renew the fleet of subsidiary, PGA Portugalia Airlines, with the exercise to be complete by 2016. "Our business plan until 2016 envisages the gradual replacement of PGA's fleet," Mr Pinto is quoted by Jornal de Negócios as saying. He added that "studies have shown interesting alternatives, but it is important to note that the current fleet of eight ERJ-145s

and six Fokker 100s

have served well the kind of operation that TAP needs i.e. servicing routes with low/average potential but which generate excellent results." In addition, Mr Pinto also discussed the possibility of replacing Portugalia's fleet of two Beech 1900Ds

, used on PGA Express flights to Spain and North Africa, in the near future. Since 2007, Portugalia has operated scheduled international and domestic services from Lisbon and Porto using TAP flight numbers. It also offers European charter services. Photos:FPP