With the passing months

July 2008
Les Ailes du Sourire

For several years now, Régional has been backing the actions of Aviation Sans Frontières for the most part through Les Ailes du Sourire.

Aviation Sans Frontières, in collaboration with flying clubs, has been active since 1995 in the organisation of discovery days of the magical world of aviation, which also gives each participant their very first flight experience.

Les Ailes du Sourire offers sick, handicapped and underprivileged children the opportunity to leave their troubles behind if just for a day and discover brand new horizons.

For the western region, these events are held at the La Baule airfield.

This year, for the second time, Régional invited children from the Association Onco Plein Air, whose aim is to improve the quality of life of children and adolescents with cancer and leukaemia, to participate in Les Ailes du Sourire.

And it's true to say that we discover, each and every time, truly magnificent smiles lighting up the faces of those children.

April 2008
Régional welcomes its sixth Embraer 190

At the end of March 2008, European carrier Régional, a subsidiary of the Air France group, will be receiving its latest Embraer 190, part of an order placed by the company in September 2005. Régional now boasts a fleet counting 6 Embraer 190's.

Next August, Régional will be receiving the first Embraer 170 from its July 2007 order, at the same time as KLM-Cityhopper. By the summer of 2010, Régional will be taking delivery of a total of five E190s and nine E170s at the rate of one aircraft every two months (one every month, from June and September 2009). Moreover, Régional holds options on three Embraer 190 and one Embraer 170.

These new aircraft are all part of the company's master plan to modernise its fleet while increasing its onboard passenger capacity. Some twenty "EJet" aircraft will be added to the Régional fleet in autumn 2010, for a capacity of from 76 to 100 seats.

March 2008
From Nantes to Amsterdam with Régional

From 30 March 2008, Régional passengers will be offered 2 daily Nantes-Amsterdam flights along with 1 on Saturday and 1 Sunday. Flights to Amsterdam, one of Europe's leading capitals and a destination for tourists of all kinds, will be operated by Embraer 145, a comfortable 50-seat aircraft.

European carrier Régional is a subsidiary of the Air France group and one of the first regional airlines in Europe. Through the opening of the Nantes-Amsterdam line, the Air France-KLM group will be able to offer new connections out of Charles de Gaulle airport to Europe (Leeds, Cardiff, Glasgow, Humberside, Riga, etc.) and throughout the world (Lima, Manila, Cape Town, Khartoum and many more).

February 2008
Nomination of Franck Terner as Régional Deputy Chief Executive Officer

Franck Terner is appointed Executive Managing Director of Regional, after occupying the position of Deputy Managing Director successively for Maintenance then for Operation and Supports.

October 2007
Two new Embraer 190 aircraft for Régional

Régional received its fourth Embraer 190 on 28 September 2007. This 100-seat aircraft is a part of the initial order placed by the company in September 2005. With this aircraft, Régional is rejuvenating its fleet, while increasing passenger capacity on board its aircraft. A fifth Embraer is scheduled to arrive 19 October 2007 and the sixth next spring.

3 August 2007
First joint order by AIR FRANCE KLM:
20 Embraer for Régional and KLM Cityhopper

The European carrier Régional and KLM Cityhopper, two regional subsidiaries of the AIR FRANCE-KLM Group, today announced a firm order for 20 regional jets of the E170 and E190 families, together with 18 options, from the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer.

This first joint order placed by the two regional carriers, will lead to substantial synergies both in the purchasing of aircraft, engines and spare parts, and in fleet management, operational maintenance and crew training. The order consists of six E170s and four E190s for Régional, and ten E190s for KLM Cityhopper.

Régional, which has ordered six Embraer 190s, including three which are already in operation today, is pursuing its programme to rationalize and upgrade its fleet, with the arrival of the new jets from the Brazilian manufacturer. Deliveries will take place between 2008 and 2011. The six E170s will boost the Company's capacity with aircraft seating 75 passengers. The arrival of these latest-generation aircraft is a key factor in the development of Régional, as it will significantly improve its fleet performance and the quality of service provided to customers.

As for KLM Cityhopper, this order will mark the launch of its programme to renew and upgrade its fleet. The airline will gradually replace its oldest Fokker 100s with the 10 new Embraer 190s.

June 2007
Régional lends its support to the Fédération Française de vol à voile (French Gliding Federation)

On 3 May 2007, Régional forged a partnership with the Fédération Française de vol à voile. The company is lending its support to the French team for the 2007 season, allowing them to participate in the European Championship.
A number of Régional pilots are committed to this sport and will be present at the championship. Among them, Laurent Aboulin, Régional Fokker 100 captain, with a number of titles under his belt already: French champion a few times and World champion 2001, has been enjoying this high flying sport for a good number of years now.

Photo caption: Laurent Aboulin in front of a glider

June 2007
A podium at the Trophée SNSM in Saint-Nazaire

The aim of this St. Nazaire to St. Malo race, open to amateurs and professionals alike, is to pay tribute to marine salvors, while making known the actions of the SNSM, help develop member numbers and gain ground in terms of marine safety awareness.

Olivier Busnel, a Régional airlines Embraer 145 captain, came second in the IRC 1 category, in 10 hours 44 minutes and 11 seconds. The prize-giving was held at the Salon Nautique de Paris (Paris boat show).

April 2007
Sixth edition of Transquadra: from sky to sea

The first stage of the sixth Transquadra sailing race, for amateurs only, will kick off late July 2008. The goal, cross the Atlantic in 8 to 15 metre boats, single or double-handed.
The first leg will start in St. Nazaire and end in Madeira late July 2008. At the end of January 2009 a new leg will take the competitors from Madeira to Martinique.

Régional’s Embraer 145 captain Olivier Busnel and Bruno Lecas, Air France 777 co-pilot, will be joining this prestigious race. With two years to go before D-day, they’ll have the time to familiarise themselves with their new Bongo 960.

Olivier and Bruno will also be in the Record SNSM race from 24 June 2007, in the company of the best. This Saint-Nazaire to Saint-Malo race pays tribute to salvers.

May the wind be always at your back for both competitions!

For all information visit transquadra2008 website.

Photo: Olivier Busnel, signed up to take part in the Transquadra, backed by Régional.

January 2007
A second Embraer 190 for Régional

The Régional fleet now boasts a new Embaer jet aircraft operating between Biarritz-Paris then Paris-Brest. It then flies round trip from Paris to Mulhouse and Paris-Clermont-Ferrand.

It thus joins ranks with the first Embraer that arrived last November, already offering one daily round-trip flight between Clermont-Ferrand and Paris then Paris-Mulhouse, before an additional rotation to Bologna than to Biarritz.

All of the first passengers were unanimous as to cabin spaciousness and quiet, along with seat comfort.
A third jet is expected to arrive in May to continue to continue on with rejuvenating the fleet while increasing on-board capacities.

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