BBD, Comair Celebrate RJ Anniversary

On June 1, 1993, Comair launched North American CRJ regional jet service and ushered in the regional industry's jet age with a flight from the airline’s base at Cincinnati to Toronto. On June 26, 2008, the 15th anniversary was celebrated at Comair’s headquarters in a ceremony attended by Comair President John Selvaggio, and Bombardier Commercial Aircraft Senior Vice President-Sales Jim Dailly.
The anniversary comes as 50-seat regional jets are coming under pressure given rising fuel prices. Despite that, the introduction of the CRJ 200 service at Comair was an historical watershed in regional airline history since it proved that jets could make money in the short-haul operations served by regional airlines. The concept, introduced with Short Bros.' FJX program in 1987, defied conventional wisdom, but went on to transform the industry into the giant it is today. Related Story
The pioneering aircraft was the first from a firm order for 20 aircraft, plus options for another 20, of the revolutionary 50-seat regional jet. Comair, a wholly owned subsidiary of Delta which operates as a Delta Connection, kept re-ordering the aircraft to raise its total CRJ Series orders to 130 regional jets. The airline currently operates 100 CRJ100/200, 15 CRJ700 and 13 CRJ900 jets.