France’s Amelia Strengthens Fleet with Delivery of Two Embraer E190s
Amelia, the French regional airline based at Paris Le Bourget Airport, has expanded its fleet with the addition of two Embraer E190 aircraft, according to a statement released by lessor CDB Aviation on April 10. The aircraft were acquired on lease and mark a strategic move by Amelia to bridge capacity between its smaller regional jets and mainline narrowbody aircraft.
The two jets—VP-CFL (msn 19000570) and VP-CFT (msn 19000605)—are expected to be re-registered in France as F-HDRI and F-HDRK, respectively. Both aircraft are powered by General Electric CF34-10E engines and offer a seating capacity of up to 98 passengers, making them ideal for regional routes requiring more capacity than 50-seat aircraft but not as much as the larger Airbus A319.
VP-CFL is 12.6 years old, while VP-CFT is 12.1 years old, according to ch-aviation fleets data. Both aircraft were originally delivered to China Southern Airlines and later operated by Vietnam’s Bamboo Airways. After being retired in 2024, they are now undergoing maintenance at Jinan, China, in preparation for their integration into Amelia’s fleet.
Amelia’s Chief Executive Alain Regourd emphasized the importance of this fleet expansion, stating, “With the delivery of these two E190 aircraft, Amelia shows its commitment to sustainable growth. These aircraft will fill the gap between our 50-seaters and the A319-100, allowing us to offer greater flexibility and efficiency on mid-capacity routes.”
While Regourd previously indicated plans to purchase the E190s outright, CDB Aviation has confirmed that the aircraft were delivered under operating lease agreements.
The addition of the E190s complements Amelia’s existing fleet, which includes a mix of regional and mainline aircraft. As of now, the airline operates:
1 Airbus A319-100
4 Airbus A320-200s
1 Embraer ERJ-145
1 Dassault Falcon 100
Meanwhile, its Slovenian subsidiary, Amelia International, operates:
1 Airbus A319-100
2 Embraer ERJ-135s
8 Embraer ERJ-145s
1 Learjet 45
The arrival of the Embraer E190s will not only enhance capacity but also improve network optimization for Amelia, especially on routes where demand exceeds the limitations of 50-seat jets but doesn’t justify a full-size narrowbody like the A320. With the E190’s strong range and fuel efficiency, the aircraft fits well into Amelia’s hybrid model of scheduled and charter operations across France and Europe.
Although an exact timeline for entry into revenue service has not been disclosed, both aircraft are expected to be introduced into Amelia’s schedule in the near future, pending the completion of maintenance and regulatory approval.
The move underscores Amelia’s broader growth strategy in regional aviation, positioning the airline for improved route coverage and better passenger load management across its European operations.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com