Irish regional operator CityJet is acquiring SAS group’s Danish subsidiary Cimber, consolidating its position with SAS following its previous takeover of the Blue1 Operation.
CityJet is already operating services for SAS under a three-year wet-lease agreement using a fleet of 8 CRJ900s which is set to rise to 12 by the end of March this year.
All parties believe this acquisition will create further synergies between CityJet and Cimber thereby further reducing Cimber’s cost base.
CityJet will take control of Cimber by the end of the month and Cimber’s 11 CRJ900s will be sold to CityJet within the next few months. CityJet plans to replace Cimber’s existing fleet with 10 new aircraft through 2017-2018.
By the summer CityJet will be in control of 23 aircraft operating for SAS.
This acquisition further enhances CityJet’s strategy of becoming a big player in providing regional jet capacity to European airlines.