Someone on this forum said RA wants to turn XJ into an all jet fleet by 2012. It looks like that is what's happening. I know it doesn't look that way in the short run.

I am with the group that thinks there will be aircraft reshuffling amongst DCIs. Saabs being parked should not come as a surprise to those who have been following the DCI trends. Saab leases are coming for renewals in batches of 10 to 15 and DAL is not interested in renewing the lease at the rate Saab is asking for. Saab can get more money for them in Europe apparently, and DAL seems more interested in 76 plus jets.

I expect to see more cuts from DCIs in 50 seats or less smaller RJs and Saabs. In some cases they will be replaced with 76 seat jets, in some cases they will not be. Piecing together several puzzles together, my guess is that an undisclosed number of jets will replace the Saabs being parked at some time in the future, probably in 2010. Meanwhile, the pain of furloughing will probably continue throughout 2009.