As part of a phased replacement of its Learjet 45 fleet, Ryanair have taken delivery of a brand new Challenger 3500 registered M-ABSU. The aircraft, s/n 21052, was delivered directly from the Bombardier factory in Montreal to Dublin, arriving on Wednesday afternoon. It departed to Stansted later that evening, where it will be based. On Thursday, it was noted completing crew training at East Midlands Airport and on Friday and Saturday, is was noted training at Newquay.
Like the four Learjets currently operated by the airline, M-ABSU will be used to move engineers, parts and crew around the network quickly when aircraft are AOG. This is aimed at reducing delays and knock-on effects for passengers, as well as the airlines’ exposure to EU261 compensation claims. The Challenger 3500 was chosen due to its strong dispatch reliability and spacious cabin that will allow it to carry larger aircraft parts. It’s understood that Ryanair will receive three Challenger 3500s, with the remaining two to be delivered in April and May.
The current fleet of four Learjet 45’s – M-ABEU, M-ABGV, M-ABJA and M-ABRB – are based at London Stansted and Milan Bergamo.
Photo above by Kenneth Meegan.
