Swiss Carrier Leasing Aircraft From M1 Travel

Aero-News has learned Embraer delivered the first E-190 jet to Swiss carrier Flybaboo S.A., on April 30. The Geneva-based airline, which previously flew a dedicated turboprop fleet, will begin operating the Embraer 190 in 2008 under a leasing agreement with M1 Travel Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lebanon's M1 Group.

The Embraer 190s leased to Flybaboo will support the airline's current network and also enable it to expand to new destinations. Flybaboo has selected the steep approach option for its E-Jet, allowing the airline to operate out of London City Airport, as well as key existing destinations at Lugano, in Switzerland, and Florence Vespucci, in Italy, downtown airports, all with short runways.

"We are proud to welcome a new Embraer 190 operator in Europe, where we already have a strong base of customers reporting great success with their E-Jets," said Mauro Kern, Embraer Executive Vice President, Airline Market. "While Flybaboo passengers enjoy the aircraft's exceptional comfort, the airline will benefit from the Embraer 190's outstanding economics and performance."

Flybaboo's aircraft features all-leather Elite seating for 100 passengers, and will also be fitted with an In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) system with individual displays in front of each seat.

"The delivery of our first Embraer 190 is a milestone for this five-year-old company, heralding the beginning of exciting new developments," said Jacques Bankir, President of Flybaboo. "The Embraer 190 will be the catalyst to further grow both our aircraft fleet and our route network to Europe and beyond."

FMI: www.embraer.com, www.flybaboo.com