YS RAE Frequent-flyer program Flying Blue Parent company Air France-KLM Founded 2001 Ceased operations 2013 Hub Nantes Atlantique Airport | RAE REGIONAL EUROPE Destinations 38 Headquarters Bouguenais, France Alliance SkyTeam (affiliate) Fleet size 44 Parent organization Air France–KLM | |
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Hubs Nantes Atlantique Airport | ||
Régional Compagnie Aérienne Européenne, or Régional for short, is a subsidiary airline wholly owned by Air France which connects hubs at Paris, Lyon to 49 airports in Europe. The airline operated in Air France livery, retaining its name in small titles and logo on the front fuselage and engines. It became the first European operator of the Embraer 190 aircraft in November 2006. It was headquartered in Bouguenais at the Nantes Atlantique Airport.
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History
On 30 March 2001, Flandre Air, Proteus Airlines, and Regional Airlines merged into Régional.
Régional is upgrading and consolidating its fleet, considering to ally with a turboprop partner as it increasingly turns its focus to its jet operations. The 2 remaining Saab 2000s were phased out in 2006 and the last of its 9 Embraer EMB-120 Brasilias followed in 2008, marking the exit of all of Régional’s turboprop aircraft.
From 31 March 2013, Régional services are operated under the HOP! brand.
Fleet
The Régional fleet includes the following aircraft in March 2013, the average fleet age is 12.3 years.
It became the first European operator of the Embraer 190 on 23 November 2006, when the first of six on order was delivered. The 100 seat aircraft will operate domestic and intra-European services in full Air France colours. Régional received its first Embraer 170 of 6 orders, which wears the new Régional logo, on September 2, 2008.
The Embraer 190s are part of a new order over the Air France-KLM group with another 18 further options. All Fokkers have been transferred to KLM Cityhopper. The last propeller aircraft Embraer EMB 120 left the fleet on October 10, 2008 replaced by the ERJ-135
Head office
The head office of the airline is located on the grounds of Nantes Atlantique Airport in Bouguenais, near Nantes. The head office is adjacent to the airport hotels. Nantes Atlantique Airport had the head office of Regional Airlines, the largest of the three companies that were merged into the current Régional Compagnie Aérienne Européenne.