I was down on the ramp this evening and the ATP was there rather than the usual Electra. I haven't been down in a while so I was wondering if this was a one off or have they aquired more ATP's?
I couldn't tell you to be honest! I know they are getting more ATPs but I'm not sure if they are replacing the Electra on certain routes or if they are for new contracts. I think there have been a few tech problems with the Electra's recently so it may just have been standing in.
Sorry I can't be more specific but I have very very little to do with Airlines.
Just to point out, Atlantic Airlines are now a separate company to the rest of Air Atlantique/Atlantic Air Transport. The Atlantic group now breaks down as follows:
Atlantic Airlines: (subject to management buy-out late 2005)
ATP/L188
Air Atlantique:
Classic Flight (includes DC3s)
DC6
Atlantic Air Transport:
ATR42
ATR72
Citation I
F406
C402
Atlantic Express:
ATR42 - Scheduled service
Atlantic Reconnaissance:
C404
F406
Islander
It only took me about a year to figure out what belonged to who and it's all about to change again :madhead:
Dont know what the viability of this would be, but I had an idea the other day that 60s aircraft (those that can still be operated, e.g. turboprops rather than One Elevens etc), are regarded as 'classic' by many and as such a good many people would probably like to fly on them again.
What do you reckon the odds are of Air Atlantique Classic Flight ever operating something like that? A Herald is probably out of the question as I doubt theres a suitable airframe and enough spares left to get one running, but what about an HS748 or Fokker 27? I miss the sound of Darts and the big picture windows :sad: , and by AACF's standards a 40-50 seater turboprop would probably be a fuel efficient aircraft ?
The problem is, Mike only buys the aircraft he is interested in, and I don't think he has any real interest in HS748's or F27's. A Viscount might be different but i'm not sure we'd be allowed to operate one in the UK anymore.
That said, when it comes to Atlantic, never say never...