Unexpected aircraft lease expenses pushed Aurigny further into the red in 2024 as it battled aircraft shortages and flight cancellations, but the UK regional carrier promises to provide a "robust and reliable" service this year. The Guernsey-based operator incurred a full-year net loss of £6 million ($8.2 million), compared with a £3.6 million net loss the previous year. It made an operating loss of £6.5 million, versus an operating profit of £1.7 million in 2023. Aurigny says that an "unanticipated" cost of leased aircraft amounting to £6.5 million was responsible for its losses, without which the carrier would have achieved a £500,000 profit. The airline was forced to wet-lease an ATR 72-500 from Spanish ACMI provider Swiftair in August 2024 after unscheduled maintenance of one of its aircraft led to a series of flight cancellations. Aurigny shed an Embraer 195 from its fleet last year and replaced it with two ATR 72-600s on long-term leases. "The entry of these aircraft brings commonality across the fleet servicing the UK routes, thereby reducing operating costs through the simplification of crew and engineering staff requirements," states Aurigny chairman Kevin George in the carrier's annual report. Aurigny's fleet is now comprised of five ATR 72-600s – three of which are owned and two leased – and two owned Dornier 228s. The airline says that the two Dornier 228s will be "phased out" this year and it has partnered instead with a "specialist Twin Otter operator" to provide a "more resilient service" on its Alderney routes. "The intention for the year ahead is to provide a robust and reliable service after acknowledged punctuality shortfalls in 2024," says George. "For this reason, the number of seats that we intend to provide in 2025 is less than 1% more than 2024. This is seen as a prudent target that, barring any unforeseen events, should be achievable without placing undue pressure on fleet and staff." Aurigny's revenue in 2024 increased to £63 million from £60 million a year earlier. Operating expenses grew to £65 million from £51 million.

Qantas will acquire up to 14 mid-life Embraer 190-E1s that will start delivering in late 2026 to effectively replace its last Fokker 100s that are operated by its Network Aviation subsidiary on regional services in Western Australia. The airline explains that before those deliveries, however, its four remaining F100s will be replaced by four Airbus A320ceos coming from Jetstar Asia by the end of this year. The timing of the E190 acquisitions and deliveries will be revealed " in the coming months as procurement discussions progress", Qantas adds. "The E190 is a proven platform that operates across Australia today and will deliver improved operational efficiency and reliability, while also creating opportunities for our people in the West," says chief executive of Qantas's regional arm, QantasLink, Rachel Yangoyan. Cirium fleets data shows that there are 32 E190-E1s that Alliance Airlines wet-leases to QantasLink which are used on a variety of routes outside of Western Australia, but the new acquisitions are set to be the first E190s operated by a Qantas Group subsidiary. It comes as Qantas's rival in the resource charter space Virgin Australia Regional Airlines (VARA) prepares to receive its first of eight E190-E2s that it is using to replace its own F100s. It is understood that both Network Aviation and VARA have had to retire several of their Fokker jets in recent years to provide parts to keep the remaining aircraft active. National Jet Express also operates eight E190-E1s on resource charter services in Western Australia.

N3 Engine Overhaul Services has appointed Holger Sindemann as its new director and general manager, succeeding Carsten Behrens who has left the company after three years. The Germany-based MRO provider, which is jointly owned by Lufthansa Technik and Rolls-Royce, says that Sindemann will be responsible for operations and will be the main point of contact for German regulator LBA. N3's management team is made up of representatives from each of its parent companies, with duties divided into operational and commercial. Sindemann represents Rolls-Royce and will work on an "equal footing" alongside commercial director Stefan Landes, who represents LHT. Sindemann has almost 20 years' experience in aerospace management roles and has spent a decade working as a consultant, notes N3.