KLM Cityhopper has a new challenge ahead in addition to problems with the Pratt & Whitney GTF engines of its Embraer E195-E2.
Like other carriers operating from Amsterdam-Schipol Airport, the company will also be impacted by the Dutch government’s decision to reduce from 500,000 to 460,000 flights per year at the huge hub.
The reason is to reduce noise pollution around Schipol and the measure led Cityhopper’s managing director, Maarten Koopmans, to reveal that the airline is considering bringing forward deliveries of more E195-E2s.
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The Embraer aircraft is 60% quieter than the old Fokker 70 and 100 operated in the past by KLM’s regional arm and also emits 30% less pollutants.
To Aviation Week, Koopmans confided another possible change to compensate for the reduction in operations in Amsterdam, the increase in the number of seats on the aircraft.
KLM Cityhopper configured its 18 E195-E2s with 132 seats, but the company is considering adding another row of seats, which would take the capacity to 136 passengers.
It is the same layout used by Azul Linhas Aéreas and relatively below the maximum capacity of 146 seats – a configuration that has not yet been adopted by any customer.
KLM Cityhopper has 25 options for the Embraer aircraft, all through leasing, and says it is discussing how to speed up deliveries.
The Dutch company’s executive also revealed that the E2 has suffered fewer problems with the GTF engines than the A220, which is heavier and uses the turbofan in more extreme conditions.
KLM Cityhopper hopes to resolve the issue of unavailability of new generation jets within 18 months.
