CommuteAir (C5, Cleveland Hopkins) has received United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification to operate its only E170 on domestic charter flights. The regulator issued the amended Operations Specifications on August 7.
"CommuteAir recognised a significant opportunity in the market for charter aircraft that bridge the gap between small regional jets and larger narrowbody aircraft. With its 76-seat capacity, the E170 offers a cost-effective and appropriately sized solution for various client needs," Senior Vice-President (Flight Operations) David Fitzgerald said.
The aircraft, N780NC (msn 17000280), is currently parked at Houston Intercontinental, where it ended certification flights. It has yet to operate its first revenue charter. Under its recently extended passenger authority, CommuteAir has until September 23 to begin E170 operations. The aircraft is leased from Nordic Aviation Capital.
For now, regional capacity provision remains the airline's core business. CommuteAir operates seventy-four E145s on behalf of United Airlines. However, the mainline carrier plans to axe its E145 operations by 2026. All of the E145s operated by CommuteAir are owned by United Airlines.
