Just days after announcing the purchase of shares in an airline in Uruguay, Jazz Air announces it is buying 15 Bombardier Q400 NextGen aircraft. This type specializes in regional transport. The bill for this acquisition amounts to $454 million US, an average of about $30 million per aircraft.
There is also an option to buy another 15 aircraft.
The 74-seat passenger aircraft is a turboprop which Jazz and Air Canada could use to return to Toronto City Island Airport. Jazz was evicted from that airport in February 2006. Porter Airlines has been exclusively using the airport since that time. A ruling on the eviction is expected in July and Air Canada could decide to renew operations there.
Jazz president Joseph Randell said in a statement that "the introduction of the Q400 NextGen aircraft is a perfect complement to our fleet of Canadian-built Bombardier turboprops and regional jets."
The distance between the airport and downtown Toronto has hurt other airlines that have chosen to land and take off from Pearson. That airport is located about half an hour away by taxi from downtown Toronto, on a good day when there is no traffic. On the other hand, Billy Bishop Airport on Toronto Island is located just 5 minutes from away from the business centre.