newstodate.aero
Mar 23, 2007 (newstodate): BAE Systems Regional Aircraft has signed a contract confirming Aerostar, Romania, as the prime contractor for the re-launched BAe 146QT freighter conversion program.
In addition, Aerostar will be sub-contracting major work packages to other partners in the Romanian aerospace industry, notably Avione Craiova S.A.
Two of Regional Aircrafts leasing portfolio BAe 146-200s will be assigned to the program initially for conversion, and ferry of the first aircraft to Avione Craiova took place in early March.
The first conversion is expected to be available in early to mid-2008 and will be marketed by the Asset Management team of Regional Aircraft.
Some 30 BAe 146QT and QC variants were converted as new-build aircraft off the production line in the mid-late 1980s under a programme with Pemco World Air Services of Dothan Alabama. Pemco built and installed the Regional Aircraft-designed large freight door, together with the roller floor and associated cargo-handling equipment.
All of these aircraft remain in service, the biggest operators being TNT Express, which uses a large fleet on an intensive overnight network across Europe, and Australian air Express, which uses three aircraft on overnight operations linking key centres in eastern and southern Australia. Other operators include Titan Airways of the UK and West Air Sweden.
In addition, Aerostar will be sub-contracting major work packages to other partners in the Romanian aerospace industry, notably Avione Craiova S.A.
Two of Regional Aircrafts leasing portfolio BAe 146-200s will be assigned to the program initially for conversion, and ferry of the first aircraft to Avione Craiova took place in early March.
The first conversion is expected to be available in early to mid-2008 and will be marketed by the Asset Management team of Regional Aircraft.
Some 30 BAe 146QT and QC variants were converted as new-build aircraft off the production line in the mid-late 1980s under a programme with Pemco World Air Services of Dothan Alabama. Pemco built and installed the Regional Aircraft-designed large freight door, together with the roller floor and associated cargo-handling equipment.
All of these aircraft remain in service, the biggest operators being TNT Express, which uses a large fleet on an intensive overnight network across Europe, and Australian air Express, which uses three aircraft on overnight operations linking key centres in eastern and southern Australia. Other operators include Titan Airways of the UK and West Air Sweden.