Estonian state-owned lessor Transpordi Varahaldus sold seven CRJ900ERs previously operated by Regional Jet (Tallinn Lennart Meri), an ACMI-focused subsidiary of the country's defunct flag carrier Nordica, to Regional One for USD37.5 million, the Estonian Ministry of Climate announced on June 30.
“We have reached an agreement with a buyer whose offer was the strongest both in substance and financially, and who can see the deal through,” said the Estonian Minister of Infrastructure Kuldar Leis. In total, 30 companies expressed interest in buying the jets, while 11 firms submitted formal offers.
Negotiations were initially held with a higher bidder, but talks eventually fell through. In spring 2025, Transpordi Varahaldus entered into negotiations with the second-highest bidder, EIC Aircraft Leasing - a unit of Regional One's parent entity, Exchange Income - resulting in a binding sale agreement.
The CRJ900ERs are currently stored at Tallinn Lennart Meri and will undergo technical checks and maintenance, with all additional service expenses set to be covered by Transpordi Varahaldus. The US lessor is expected to take up the aircraft by autumn 2025.
According to the ch-aviation data, the aircraft are between 12.5 and 16.6 years of age. They have been stored since November 2024, when Nordica ceased operations. The Estonian airline was declared bankrupt in January 2025.
Transpordi Varahaldus did not own any aircraft leased to carriers other than Nordica.
