Hatfield, Hertfordshire...Finnish regional carrier Blue1, which is a member of the SAS Group, has signed a long-term lease extension with BAE Systems Regional Aircraft on one RJ85 (msn E2392). This lease will see the aircraft operating in the Blue1 fleet well into the next decade.

This transaction follows a deal announced in October last year under which Blue1 extended leases on four other RJ85s in its fleet. At the same time it was confirmed that two other RJ85s currently operating with Blue1 are being returned to BAE Systems for onward lease to BA CityFlyer from Spring 2008.

It is also confirmed that one of the two RJ100s operated by Blue1 has been returned to BAE Systems and for onward sale to the Bahrain Defence Force.

Blue1 has confirmed that it is slightly reducing the size of its regional jet operation in favour of acquiring larger aircraft. However, the airline states that the Avro RJ continues to be its preferred regional jet solution for many years to come.

The Avro RJ85s and RJ100s are configured in a highly comfortable 5-abreast layout, with 84 and 99 passengers respectively, to meet the needs of the airline’s passengers, more than 50 percent of whom are business travellers.

Blue1 is a regional Star Alliance member and has over 100 daily flights serving seven Finnish destinations and 18 international destinations in Scandinavia and Europe.