Estonia's Nordica Jets Sold: Seven Bombardier CRJ 900 Find New Home!

Deerfield Beach, Florida, USA - The Estonian government has made headlines with the recent sale of seven Bombardier CRJ 900 aircraft, previously operated by the now-defunct state airline Nordica. The deal, completed with the American leasing firm Regional One, is set at an impressive $37.5 million. These aircraft, gathering dust since their retirement at Tallinn Airport in late 2024, are about to embark on a new chapter.

Vladimir Svet, Estonia’s Minister of Infrastructure, confirmed the sale, noting that about 30 companies expressed interest in these jets, with eleven submitting bids that ranged from $20 to $40 million. The agreement is a significant step in winding down Nordica’s operations, which officially ceased in November 2024 following a collapse caused by a potential investor backing out of an essential deal. As Aero Telegraph reports, the state plans to orderly conclude Nordica’s affairs after the sale.

Inspection and Future Plans

Before the transfer, the aircraft will undergo a necessary inspection scheduled for July, ensuring they’re airworthy again after some time away from the skies. The final handover is expected in the autumn. Regional One, based in Deerfield Beach, Florida, is no stranger to this type of asset management and leasing, aiming to place these planes back into service efficiently.

This transition comes at a time when the global aircraft leasing landscape is looking optimistic. According to Aero Morning, the credit rating environment for lessors is stable, with a robust demand for commercial aircraft anticipated in 2025. Despite some industry hurdles and a few airline defaults, the overall financial outlook remains positive, reflecting the resilience of airline operators and lessors alike.

Broader Economic Context

The improving performance of airlines and other businesses is also being felt with steady earnings in the aviation sector, as high utilization rates drive earnings and improve lease yields. Interestingly, the industry has faced challenges with production and supply chain issues, further increasing demand for previously owned aircraft like the CRJ 900s now sold to Regional One. As noted, the demand for older aircraft is rapidly growing, especially with the ongoing uncertainty in new aircraft deliveries.

Looking ahead, Aircraft leasing companies, particularly those like Regional One, are poised to benefit from the current market dynamics. With forecasts indicating net profits for airlines nearing $30.5 billion for 2024, the shifts in operational strategy present an exciting future for both leasing firms and aircraft operators.

As the Estonian government successfully closes this chapter on Nordica, it highlights the shifting tides in the aviation sector—where opportunity meets necessity, creating a landscape ripe for growth and expansion.

With the aviation world continually evolving, there’s certainly something to be said for the resilience of aircraft lease arrangements, and as we track the next steps of these Bombardier CRJ 900s, we witness a small yet telling part of a larger story in the global airline industry.