Portugália Airlines (NI, Lisbon) is considering its fleet growth options and might choose to replace its E190s and E195s with a larger type seating between 110 and 140 passengers, CEO Valter Fernandes told MRO Network.

"I hope to have a larger regional jet in the future - in the 110-140-seat bracket to keep it below the A319-100. We will definitely keep one fleet type only because we are not big enough to justify multiple manufacturers, so we will try to maximise our capacity in the sub-140-seat range. I don’t think we’ll grow next year, but there’s a strong chance we’ll grow in 2020," Fernandes said.

He did not elaborate whether Portugália would be looking at Embraer E2s or Airbus A220s for the possible growth.

The Portuguese regional production carrier is currently also limited by a scope clause with its parent TAP Air Portugal (TP, Lisbon).

According to the ch-aviation fleets module, Portugália currently operates nine EMB-190LRs and four EMB-195ARs. It operates exclusively on behalf of its parent under the TAP Express brand, providing feeder services into Lisbon. It also operates from Porto to London City, London Gatwick, Madrid Barajas and Zurich.

The smallest aircraft in TAP's fleet are twenty-two A319s.