FLEET - Sabar Airlines (Kenya) took delivery of a CRJ200, serial 7006, on lease from African Express Airways (Kenya).

Photo: Sabar
 

FLEET - United Airlines announces new CRJ450 version

Duncan Stewart - LAX

United Airlines (UA, Chicago O'Hare) expects to retrofit about fifty CRJ200 aircraft into the new CRJ450 version by 2030, the company said in a statement. The new variant is expected to seat 41 passengers.

United said in a statement that the CRJ450 “is a first-of-its-kind regional aircraft, designed to evoke the feeling of a private jet experience for travellers in the United First cabin.” To do so, the company will remove the overhead bins in this section in favour of a large luggage closet.

The CRJ450 will join the CRJ550, a variation of the CRJ700, so that “by 2028, United expects to have more than fifty CRJ450s and nearly 120 CRJ550s in service,” the carrier outlined.

At the end of 2025, United had thirty CRJ200s in its fleet, all sourced from SkyWest Airlines (OO, St. George Municipal), flying under the United Express brand and with a configuration for 50 passengers.

In a statement to ch-aviation, SkyWest said: “We’re excited to partner with United to elevate the onboard customer experience, reimagining the CRJ200 into the enhanced CRJ450. Our first CRJ450 modification is in process, and we expect to begin operating this premium United Express product beginning in fall 2026, with more than 50 in service by 2028.”

To make the modifications, the companies require a supplemental type certificate (STC) for the new interiors, which has not yet been granted, but is in process, from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), ch-aviation understands.

SkyWest Airlines has 130 CRJ200s in its fleet, with an average age of 23 years.

In the past, MHI RJ Aviation manufactured the CRJ440LR version, a 44-seater version of the CRJ200. However, no aircraft of the type are currently active, and many were reconfigured later into the 50-seater CRJ200.

Over 250 deliveries by 2028

In addition to the announcement about the CRJ450, United Airlines said it expects to take delivery of over 250 new aircraft by April 2028. This includes forty-seven B787-9s (thirty-three of them configured with additional premium seats), fifty-eight A321-200NX (including forty in what the company calls the Coastliner configuration), twenty-eight A321-200NY(XLR)s, and 119 B737 MAX.

The A321neo Coastliner and the A321-200NY(XLR) will feature all-aisle-access lie-flat seats in United Polaris. Scott Kirby, United’s chief executive, said this was a continuation of the company’s plan United Next growth strategy launched in 2021 and aims to create a more consistent premium onboard experience

CH Aviation

RARE AIRCRAFT - FLEET - The Boliviana de Aviación (BoA) operates a regional fleet of Bombardier CRJ200 aircraft, designated as BoA Regional.

These aircraft are used for domestic and regional flights within Bolivia and to neighboring countries. One specific CRJ200, registration CP-3210, has been mentioned in relation to BoA Regional's operations

Photo: Robert Domandl - Rurrenabaque (RBQ / SLRQ) - Bolivia

FLEET - XEJet (Nigeria) is set to begin commercial flights on 02 November 2024, flying between Lagos and Abuja with two CRJ200s and soon one E190.

SPECIAL SCHEME - Paranair / Bombardier CRJ-200ER / ZP-CRR - “Visit Uruguay”

Photo:  Alfonso Quincke
 

ROUTES / FLEET - Rare aircraft - MIAT's new wet-leased CRJ200 for domestic routes

MIAT Mongolian Airlines / ZS-CMF / Bombardier CRJ-200ER

Photo: Sheglov Yura

Ulaanbaatar Chinggis Khaan New Int Airport - ZMCK, Mongolia

 

RETRO LIVERY - Air Wisconsin unveils a retro livery

Air Wisconsin Airlines has unveiled a 1965 retro livery on its Bombardier CRJ200 N471ZW (msn 7457).

The aircraft is known as “El Guapo”.

Photo: Air Wisconsin.

Fly Baghdad retires only regional jet

Fly Baghdad (IF, Baghdad) has mandated Airstream International Group to sell or finance lease CRJ200 YI-BAH (msn 7984), the carrier's only regional jet which was retired from revenue service in June 2022.

The 18.2-year-old aircraft, originally delivered to Air Nostrum (YW, Valencia Manises), was ferried from Baghdad via Istanbul New to Riga over the course of June 24-28, 2022, Flightradar24 ADS-B data shows, where it remains in maintenance. It is available immediately.

The ch-aviation fleets advanced module shows the regional jet has accumulated 24,591 flight hours and 23,000 flight cycles over its service life. Fly Baghdad inducted the jet in time for its launch in 2015 as one of just two aircraft in its fleet at that time (alongside a B737-400).

The Iraqi carrier continues to operate an all-B737 fleet comprising one B737-700, five B737-800s, and one B737-900(ER). The carrier told ch-aviation last year that it planned to continue growing with more B737NGs due to be added in the coming years

Ch Aviation

Photo: Ton Jochems - Antalya

After nine years of the new Iberia corporative image, Air Nostrum has painted in Valencia the first CRJ200ER(EC-NHU).

 JOSE RAMON VALERO

Severstal / CRJ200 / RA-67230

 Ton Jochems - NCE

Air Nostrum has two CRJ200ER with this "Cantabria Infinita" livery to promote this region in the north of Spain: EC-HEK & EC-NLM

 Jose RamonValero - Madrid

IBERIA REGIONAL - Bombardier CRJ200 - EC-HHI "Extremadura"

Alain Charpentier - TLS

BACKBONE - CRJ-200 - OY-BPO

Ton Jochems - BLL

Flyest - CRJ-200ER - LV-GIJ (cn 7466), New Argentine Airlines

Gerrit Griem

Buenos Aires Aeroparque Jorge Newbery (AEP / SABE), Argentina

Shree Airlines Joins Bombardier’s Family of CRJ Series Aircraft Operators

Bombardier Commercial Aircraft congratulates Shree Airlines on the launch of a new regional jet service with CRJ Series aircraft.

“We are pleased to welcome Shree Airlines to the worldwide family of CRJ Series aircraft operators,” said David Speirs, Vice President, Asset Management, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “The CRJ Series aircraft have been instrumental in revolutionizing regional route networks, and we are confident that Shree Airlines will achieve much success as it launches fixed-wing operations in the regions of Nepal with two CRJ200 aircraft and one CRJ700 aircraft.”

The Nepali carrier commenced service with its first CRJ200 aircraft on August 11, 2017.

“We are continuously looking for optimal solutions to address the increasing transportation demands in Nepal, and the launch of our new regional jet service with the CRJ200 and CRJ700 aircraft represents a significant milestone in our growth journey.” said Anil Manandhar, Corporate Manager, Shree Airlines. “With its proven efficiency and reliability, the CRJ Series aircraft will allow us to improve domestic transportation, and will be a key asset in helping Shree Airlines expands its operations to the regional markets in the future.”

Shree Airlines have acquired all three CRJ Series aircraft from a third party. The CRJ Series regional jets share commonality benefits that provide flexibility to operators and allow them to optimize their fleets to meet specific market demands. The CRJ Series aircraft family includes over 120 owners and operators flying people in over 90 countries, and the worldwide fleet has logged 50 million flight hours.

About Shree Airlines
Shree Airlines is the largest operator of helicopters in Nepal. It owns and operates a mixed fleet of helicopters in Nepal and in Africa from time to time for UN Peace Keeping Operations as well as World Food Program. In operations since 1999, Shree is a leader in Nepalese aviation sector. It has been serving the people of Nepal living in some of the remotest and inaccessible parts of Nepal.



Its expansion into fixed-wing operations will complement its rotor-wing services and allow it to serve a larger part of the population.

Zoom Air adds first aircraft

Zoom Air (India) (Delhi Int'l) has added its first aircraft, a Bombardier CRJ-200, to its fleet. According to the start-up, the jet will enter into service this month. The airline plans to maintain operations with five CRJ-200LRs out of Delhi Int'l.

Under its previous incarnation as Zexus Air (Delhi Int'l), the full-service start-up was able to secure its No Objection Certificates (NOC) from the Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation but reportedly failed in its attempt to secure an Air Operators Permit (AOP) from the Indian Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

Zoom Air reportedly plans to offer flights to Aurangabad, Aizawl, Chandigarh, Dharamsala, Durgapur, Dimapur, Jorhat, Kulu, Shillong, Mumbai Int'l, Ranchi, Kolkata, Hyderabad Int'l, Srinagar, and Lucknow initially.

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IBERIA REGIONAL - CRJ-200 - EC-HHI

José Ramon Valero - MAD

IBERIA REGIONAL - CRJ-200 - EC-MJE

José Ramon Valero - MAD

KUNPENG AIRLINES - CRJ200 - N17217

Duncan Stewart - LAX

Bombardier Welcomes Arab Wings and Iraq Gate to the Family of CRJ Series Aircraft Customers and Operators

Bombardier Commercial Aircraft today welcomed Amman, Jordan-based Arab Wings, and its joint venture partner Iraq Gate of Arasat, Baghdad, to the family of CRJ Series aircraft owners and operators.

Iraq Gate commenced service in March 2015 with its first CRJ200 aircraft, adding two more in recent months. Iraq Gate will initially operate the aircraft, which were acquired by Arab Wings from a third party, on several domestic routes from Baghdad. Other domestic and international flights within and from Iraq are scheduled to follow.

“The excellent economics of the CRJ200 regional jet are ideally suited to meet the increasing transportation demands of Iraq’s active oil and gas sector,” said Ahmad Abu Ghazaleh, Chief Executive Officer, Arab Wings.  “As the first business jet operator in Iraq, Iraq Gate is now benefitting from the addition of the dependable and reliable CRJ200 regional jet as it offers scheduled, charter and ad hoc services throughout the country.” 

“The CRJ200 aircraft enables Iraq Gate to offer our VIP clients and executives increased flexibility, superb range and an exceptional flying experience,” said Sameer Hdairis, Manager, Business Development, Arab Wings. 

“Bombardier is thrilled that Arab Wings and Iraq Gate have joined more than 60 airlines and over 60 corporate customers that fly our CRJ Series aircraft around the world,” said John Kassis, Vice President, Sales, Middle East and Africa, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft.  “The CRJ Series aircraft have been instrumental in revolutionizing regional route networks, and we are confident that the CRJ200 aircraft will be the optimal solution for Arab Wings and Iraq Gate’s expansion plans.”

Arab Wings’ fleet currently includes three Bombardier Challenger 604 aircraft and one Global 5000 aircraft that the airline utilizes to meet clients’ travel needs in the region and worldwide.

Regional aircraft manufactured by Bombardier have made significant advances in the Middle East and Africa where approximately 130 Q Series turboprops and 70 CRJ Series regional jets are in service with, or have been ordered by, over 50 customers and operators. Customers in the region have also placed orders and commitments for 37 all-new C Series aircraft.

Bombardier’s customer support network for commercial aircraft in the Middle East and Africa includes Regional Support Offices (RSO) and Regional Parts Depots in Dubai and Johannesburg, as well as Authorized Service Facilities in South Africa and Ethiopia. Operating from the company’s regional office located in the United Arab Emirates, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft’s sales and marketing team is well positioned to provide industry-leading solutions to its current and prospective customers.

During the Dubai Airshow held in November 2015, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft announced that it had signed a Memorandum of Understanding and is in discussions with Abu Dhabi Aviation to work towards the establishment of Abu Dhabi Aviation as an Authorized Service Facility (ASF) for Q Series aircraft.  The final agreement between Bombardier and Abu Dhabi Aviation is subject to acceptance of commercial terms and a final technical audit. When a final agreement is reached, Abu Dhabi Aviation will become the first ASF for Q Series aircraft in the Middle East and will offer line and base maintenance services. The company would also support operators in surrounding regions.