Régional
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Airline |
| Predecessor | Flandre Air, Proteus Airlines, Regional Airlines |
| Founded | 2001 |
| Defunct | 2017 |
| Fate | Merged into HOP! |
| Headquarters | Bouguenais , France |
Area served | Europe |
| Parent | Air France |
Régional Compagnie Aérienne Européenne (known simply as Régional) operated as a fully owned subsidiary of Air France, linking the airline's hubs in Paris and Lyon with 49 destinations across Europe. While flying under the Air France color scheme, the Régional name appeared discreetly on the fuselage and engine markings. In November 2006, Régional distinguished itself as the first European airline to introduce the Embraer E190 into its fleet. Its corporate headquarters were situated in Bouguenais at Nantes Atlantique Airport.
After extensive discussions, Régional was integrated with Brit Air and Airlinair in 2017, forming the unified brand HOP!.
History
On 30 March 2001, the airlines Flandre Air, Proteus Airlines, and Regional Airlines consolidated their operations to establish Régional.
By 2006, Régional was streamlining its aircraft lineup by emphasizing jet-powered planes and gradually retiring turboprop models. The final two Saab 2000 turboprops were withdrawn in 2006, followed by the phase-out of nine remaining Embraer EMB-120 aircraft in 2008, marking the end of turboprop usage.
Beginning 31 March 2013, Régional flights were marketed under the HOP! brand. The airline ceased independent flight operations entirely in March 2017 upon full merger into HOP!.
Fleet
As of March 2013, Régional's fleet consisted of 44 aircraft averaging 12.3 years in age.
| Aircraft | In service | Orders | Passengers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Embraer ERJ-135 | 1 | 0 | 37 |
| Embraer ERJ-145 | 17 | 0 | 50 |
| Embraer E170 | 16 | 0 | 76 |
| Embraer E190 | 10 | 0 | 100 |
| Total | 44 | 0 |
Régional was a pioneer in Europe by being the first to operate the Embraer E190, taking delivery of its initial six aircraft on 23 November 2006 to serve domestic and intra-European routes under Air France branding. The first Embraer E170, which was part of a six-plane acquisition featuring Régional’s updated logo, arrived on September 2, 2008.
The E190 jets formed part of a larger group order through Air France-KLM that included options for an additional 18 aircraft. All Fokker planes were reassigned to KLM Cityhopper, while the last propeller-driven Embraer EMB 120 Brasilia exited the fleet on October 10, 2008, replaced by the ERJ-135.
Head office
Régional maintained its head office within the premises of Nantes Atlantique Airport in Bouguenais, close to Nantes and adjacent to airport hotel facilities. This location had previously served as the base for Regional Airlines—the largest among the three carriers merged to create Régional—making it a key administrative hub for the newly formed airline.
Incidents and accidents
- On 25 January 2007, Régional-operated Air France Flight 7775 traveling from Pau to Paris crashed shortly after departure. Although all 54 passengers and crew aboard the Fokker 100 survived, one fatality occurred on the ground. The BEA investigation concluded that the presence of ice on the wings was the primary cause of the crash.
External links
- Régional
- Archived Régional website
- Flight 7775 Documentation