CommuteAir took delivery of its first Embraer E170

Regional Airline CommuteAir Welcomes its First Embraer E170, purchased from Nordic Aviation Capital (NAC). This acquisition marks a significant milestone for the American company, which is currently the sole operator of the ERJ 145 model for the United Express network.

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The arrival of this higher-capacity aircraft is the result of a recent certification granted to the airline by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DoT) to operate larger aircraft. The certification extended by the DoT is known as «public convenience and necessity.»

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«The CommuteAir team is pleased to complete this acquisition of an E170 from NAC as part of our previously announced plan to add this type of aircraft to our certificate and seek independent charter flight opportunities,» said CEO Rick Hoefling.

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The recently arrived E170, registered as N780NC, has a history of 14 years and previously belonged to the Australian airline Airnorth. CommuteAir’s fleet consists of 53 Embraer E145XR aircraft with a capacity for 50 passengers. The E170 can carry up to 80 passengers in its densest configuration, representing an increase of over 40% in capacity per aircraft.

CommuteAir is an airline that operates shorter-haul and connecting flights for United Airlines under the United Express brand. Its main base is located at Cleveland International Airport (CLE). Additionally, it has three secondary bases at Washington Dulles (IAD), Houston (IAH), and Denver (DEN) airports.