Two-year-old Dutch commuter Air Exel Netherlands, C. V. is renamed in July 1992. In 1993, managing director Roberto Stinga employs 35 workers and operates two Embraer EMB-120 Brasilias. In October, routes are opened to Paris, Berlin, and Munich. Other destinations visited from the company’s base at Maastricht Airport include London (STN) and Amsterdam.
Service continues in 1994 and enplanements in 1995 total 80,477. There are profits: $1.46 million (operating) and $978,000 (net).
The workforce is increased by 17.1% in 1996 to 41 and passenger boardings soar 16.5% to 96,379. Revenues ascend 8.6% to $9.88 million while expenses grow 10.8% to $7.24 million. The operating gain increases to $1.88 million and net gain reaches $1.57 million.
Late in 1996, orders are placed with Aero International (Regional) for three ATR42-320s.
All three of the new ATRs are delivered in March 1997. They are employed to initiate new frequencies from Maastricht to Amsterdam and from Eindhoven to Paris (CDG) and London (LHR). At the same time, a company EMB-120 Brasilia is the first aircraft from a member carrier to display the new livery of the European Regional Airline Association.
Later in the spring, new service is launched to Hamburg. Airline employment at year’s end totals 75.
As part of the parent’s move to integrate the services of its feeders, the company is renamed KLM Exel, C. V. in January 1998.
AIR EXEL FRANCE, S. A.: France (1989-1992). Air Exel (France) is one of four European regional airlines established in the spring of 1989 by a consortium made up of Esquelle Holdings, Alphalines, and AeroLeasing. Formed at Aeroport Lyons Satolas to undertake scheduled daily commuter flights to Paris with a fleet of two Embraer EMB-120 Brasilias, the partner is the first to inaugurate services. Later in the year, flights are also undertaken from Lyon to Liege/Luxembourg, from Lille to Milan/Geneva, and from Paris to Liege.
General Manager Jean Luc Nugues adds a third Brasilia in 1990, but is succeeded in his post in 1991 by Jean Charles Bemberg. On January 1, 1992, the company is joined with Airlec, S. A. and Air Vendee, S. A., to form Regional Airlines, S. A.
World History
