Spanish regional airline Air Nostrum has officially ended operations with its last Bombardier CRJ 200 aircraft, concluding a significant chapter in its operational history. The airline's final scheduled flight occurred on October 25, 2025, on the route between Santiago de Compostela and Bilbao. Over the years, the CRJ 200 became a staple in the airline's fleet, facilitating the shift from turboprop aircraft to modern regional jets and strengthening its presence in domestic Spanish traffic, often in partnership with Iberia.
Industry experts note that the retirement stems from a strategic fleet harmonization effort. While the CRJ 200 was once considered reliable and crucial for servicing less busy routes, its high unit operating costs have rendered it less economical. Moving forward, Air Nostrum intends to focus on larger aircraft, such as the CRJ 1000 and ATR 72-600 turboprops, aiming to reduce operational costs and better align capacity with current regional travel demands.
Strategic Shift and Fleet Modernization
The airline has historically been one of the most extensive operators of the CRJ family, a relationship that has influenced its market positioning for over two decades. The phased retirement includes returning aircraft to lessors and repurposing others for resale or spare parts. Additionally, the airline is investing in digital maintenance tools at its Valencia base to ensure continued technical reliability within the Iberia Group framework.
Despite the phase-out of the CRJ 200, Air Nostrum remains a key player in the European regional aviation sector. It continues to operate flights for Iberia, engage in wet-leasing arrangements, and has adopted a more standardized fleet of larger CRJ models to enhance operational flexibility. This strategic shift enables the airline to respond more effectively to fluctuations in seasonal demand while maintaining vital connections within Spain and to international hubs.
