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United to bring jets to Durango airport

Operator Republic Airways retiring old turboprops
United Airlines announced it will begin phasing out the Bombardier Q400 aircraft such as this one at the Durango-La Plata County Airport.

United Airlines and route operator Republic Airways Holdings Inc. will replace aging Bombardier Q400 turboprop planes with Embraer jets on United Express’s popular Durango-to-Denver route.

Republic announced Wednesday it had reached agreement with United to add 50 new Embraer 76-seat E175 aircraft. The parties also agreed to extend the service of 38 existing E170 aircraft until they are retired during a period from September 2019 through December 2022.

United confirmed in a Twitter message late Wednesday that some of the jets would be used on the Durango-to-Denver route.

“Yes they are,” United said on its official Twitter account in response to a question. “Stay tuned.”

Republic Airlines, a subsidiary of the holding company, operates United Express’ Durango-to-Denver route, among other regional links.

United accounts for the majority of passenger traffic out of Durango.

The airline enplaned 72,616 passengers at Durango-La Plata County Airport through August, a 4.5 percent increase from the same period a year ago. United accounted for 57 percent of passengers departing Durango through August.

It’s unclear if the Durango-to-Denver route will get the newly manufactured Embraer E175 planes, or the slightly older E170 aircraft, said Scott Thien, spokesman for Republic Airways Holdings. The jets will be phased in from July 2015 through August 2017, he said.

“Things are still fluid in terms of timing and timetable,” he said.

The purchase makes Republic the largest user of Embraer aircraft, manufactured in Brazil. “These are some of the world’s best aircraft,” said Thien. “The larger E-jets are very comfortable.”

Many of the aging Q400s will go to Flybe Limited, a UK airline. Republic has entered into a sublease with Flybe for 24 of the Q400s, Republic said in a news release. The remaining Q400 aircraft will be sold, leased or returned to the lessor after removing them from United service.

cslothower@durangoherald.com



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