Atlasjet Airlines of Turkey has taken delivery of three Bombardier CRJ900 90-seat regional jets to serve its expanding airline network.

Istanbul-headquartered Atlasjet was established in 2003 and commenced domestic scheduled service in summer 2004.

In May 2005, Atlasjet became Turkey's first Bombardier CRJ Series regional jet operator when it introduced two previously owned CRJ700 aircraft.

The new Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft are intended to stimulate growth on the airline’s busy domestic routes.

It was Atlasjet's commercial success flying the CRJ700 that prompted its decision to upgrade capacity with an order for CRJ900 jets.

The CRJ900 airliner’s excellent performance and passenger comfort, combined with the lowest operating costs in its class.  will allow Atlasjet to offer fully competitive airfares, and maintain the same operational efficiency it achieved with the CRJ700 in terms of fast turn-around times, including quick loading and unloading of passengers and their baggage.

Atlasjet has used the regional jets to expand its domestic route network markets and add frequency on existing routes. In addition, some airports in Turkey can only be served with regional aircraft in the CRJ700/900 class.

The operating costs of the Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft are ten per cent lower than its competitor regional aircraft, and are very close to those of much larger narrow-body jet aircraft.

Atlasjet flew 3 million passengers in 2005, including 1.6 million on domestic scheduled routes.

In addition to a busy international charter business, Atlasjet now serves more than 20 destinations in Turkey, and in May 2006 launched scheduled service between Turkey and London, Paris, Berlin and Munich.

Atlasjet’s Bombardier CRJ700 jets currently serve 12 domestic city pairs, operating more than 110 weekly frequencies on routes up to 575 miles in length. 

Atlasjet has two more Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft on option.

The growing carrier’s fleet also includes Airbus A319 and A320, and Boeing 757 jetliners.