JetBlue Sidelines Embraer Fleet

JetBlue (JBLU) has been forced to sideline its 100-seat Embraer (ERJ) 190s in an effort to fix continuing software problems and has contracted with ExpressJet Holdings (XJT) to supply four 50-seat aircraft to replace the 25 190s as they are removed for repair two at a time. The software problems have produced erroneous instrument readings, although, according to JetBlue, this does not compromised safety. In one instance, instruments showed problems with the aircraft's deicing equipment and had to be diverted from the known icing conditions at its base at Kennedy Airport. The problems have caused a 10 percent decline in expected utilization each day, increasing cost per available seat mile averaging 9.9 hours daily compared to the 13.1 hours for the airline's Airbus fleet. The work should be done by this summer's travel season by both the airline and the manufacturer at Embraer's  Nashville facility. This is the latest placement of the 69 aircraft acquired when 25 percent of ExpressJets's routes were spun off by Continental. Related Story