TrueNoord, the specialist regional aircraft lessor, has finalised operating lease agreements with Breeze Airways for three Embraer E190s. The aircraft (MSN 1900055, 1900070 and 1900132) are based in the U.S. and are already deployed across the Breeze Airways network which provides low-cost, non-stop routes to 35 underserved destinations across the U.S. They form part of the portfolio of ten Embraers aircraft that TrueNoord acquired from Nordic Aviation Capital (NAC) earlier this year. This transaction introduced new lessee airlines from North America, Canada and South Africa, as well as increased TrueNoord's fleet presence with existing European airline customers in France and Portugal.
Garry Topp, Sales Director – Americas, TrueNoord commented, “We are very pleased to further expand our footprint in North America by adding three Breeze Airways' operated Embraers to our portfolio. Breeze is shaping a strong and expanding business by offering point-to-point travel to new city pairs. This fly-direct option is delivering a sustainable and practical choice for U.S. travellers, rather than transit through the large city hubs. As a lessor, TrueNoord specialises in the regional airline sector and Breeze is innovating in this sector, so we see the airline as an excellent fit and welcome it to our global lessee family.”
Topp goes on to observe that the commercial market in the U.S. is strong, with passenger demand above pre-pandemic levels. However, he points out that regional aviation in the U.S. has been under pressure because of the acute pilot shortage which has disproportionately affected the sector.
“Going forward, the market is recovering with recruitment and training programmes building up across the U.S. for more aircrew.” he says. “The vast U.S. market will always have a need for regional connectivity for shorter and thinner routes at an attractive trip-cost. New entrants, such as Breeze Airways, are also finding ways to develop the sector by creating new routes and expanding customer choice. For TrueNoord, the regional aviation sector in the U.S. offers interesting opportunities for fleet renewal now and in the future as older aircraft are retired.”
