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Breeze Airways Takes First E190 From Nordic Aviation Capital

The first Embraer E190 in Breeze paint. (Photo: Denis González Díaz / @denis_costa_rica_spotter)

One of the newest airlines in the United States has taken another major step towards its first flight. Start-up carrier Breeze Airways has taken delivery of its first Embraer E190 aircraft from Nordic Aviation Capital. In December 2020, the airline took its first Embraer 195 aircraft, registered N190BZ, from Elevate Capital Partners. 

The airline, which hopes to begin operations later this year, already has the E195 aircraft delivered. However, this E190 will be the first of 15 aircraft on lease from Nordic Aviation Capital.

Nordic Aviation Capital is a Danish-based leasing company that has a variety of aircraft on lease to airlines around the world. 

The aircraft registered N90NA, was originally seen after receiving paint in San Jose, Costa Rica at the end of 2020. The airframe, equipped with GE CF34-10E engines, previously flew for Air Canada before being transferred to Nordic Aviation in Sept. 2019.

While this delivery marked the true start of relations between Breeze and Nordic Aviation Capital, it is not the first time that the leasing giant has worked with Breeze CEO David Neeleman. One of Neeleman’s previous start-up carriers, Azul Linhas Aereas, has also utilized Embraer E190 aircraft leased from Nordic Aviation Capital.

In a press release, the lessor stated, “NAC is delighted to begin this new partnership with Breeze, and to continuing its long-standing relationship with veteran aviation entrepreneur Neeleman who has a proven track record of success.”

Nordic Aviation Capital Chief Commercial Officer Jim Murphy said, “The Breeze team has vast experience with the E-Jet family, and we are excited to work with them as they begin their new airline with the E190, an aircraft type ideally suited to their exciting new network.” 

“We couldn’t be happier with our partnership with Nordic Aviation Capital and to take delivery of our first Embraer E190 from NAC. We look forward to a long and mutually-beneficial relationship together as well as the next 14 aircraft,” Neeleman added.

Breeze has not officially announced the number of seats planned to be on its aircraft, but it is expected to be around 100. JetBlue, another carrier started by Neeleman, currently has its E190 fleet configured in a 100 seat layout, but these aircraft feature generous seat pitch not often seen on low-cost carriers.

Although Breeze has an order for Airbus A220-300 aircraft, deliveries are not expected to begin until late 2021. The late timeline of initial deliveries forced the airline to turn to alternative aircraft types to launch operations.

Given Neeleman’s previous success using the Embraer E190s at both JetBlue and Azul, leasing the aircraft seems a sensible choice until the company can receive enough A220s to cover their planned route network. 

AirlineGeeks.com Staff

Author

  • Jace Moseley

    Being from Seattle, Jace was bitten by the aviation bug at a young age and never outgrew it. Although none of his family is in the industry, he has always wanted to work in aviation in some capacity. He currently in college studying air traffic management.

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