Eastern Airlines (2D, Miami Int'l) is planning to complete the certification of its first B777-200(ER) within days and induct a further two of the type within six months or less as it explores new scheduled and charter market opportunities, Chief Executive Steve Harfst told AirlineGeeks.

"We’re looking worldwide. The B777 expands our range circle significantly... We’re not in the business of competing with big airlines. We want to fly niche routes that aren’t big enough for them and focus on markets that we can serve with limited to no competition," Harfst said.

The carrier added its first B777-200(ER), N771KW (msn 28530), in June 2020. The 18.7-year-old ex-AL!FQC twinjet has been stored at Kansas City Int'l since then as the airline completes its type certification. A further two units of the type - 15.3-year-old ex-Kenya Airways N783KW (msn 33683) and 23.4-year-old ex-VIM Airlines N821JT (msn 28410) - were acquired by Eastern Airlines in mid-October and will be inducted within the next three to six months.

Harfst underlined that the...