Home | News | News Archives | Operators | Photographs | Current Status | Registration Index
Home | News | News Archives | Operators | Photographs | Current Status | Registration Index
This page contains an archive of news items relating to the BAe 146, Avro RJ, and Avro RJX regional jetliners built by BAE Systems, from January to December 2001.
| Index | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| January 2001 |
British European ends London City to Dublin service
British European is ending its three times daily service from London City to Dublin on January 7. British European took over the route from Irish airline Cityjet in mid-1999, although CityJet continued flying it on British European's behalf until October 2000. The route was initially profitable, but CityJet/British European lost much of their most profitable business traffic when Aer Lingus began serving the route in November 1999. The move does not end British European's commitment to London City. The 146 freed from the Dublin service will be used to expand service from London City to Edinburgh from 4 to 6 daily frequencies. BAe 146 service to Aberdeen was added in October. British European is also expecting to use the former Malmö Aviation series 200 they are acquiring to add a new route from London City in the spring. [2001-01-05]
buzz to add new summer routes
Stansted-based buzz announced it would add service to La Rochelle and Poitiers on 25 March, to Murcia on 27 March, and to Gerona on 31 March. In addition, it will resume flights to Jerez de la Frontera on 27 March and to Montpellier on 31 March. These summer destinations replace the ski destinations of Geneva and Chambéry in buzz's schedule; service to both will be suspended on 14 April until the beginning of the next ski season. To help provide capacity to the new summer sun destinations, summer service to Berlin, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, and Paris will be reduced from three flights to two daily flights on weekdays. Separately, buzz will switch its Berlin service to Schönefeld airport from Tegel airport. buzz flies eight BAe 146-200s and two 737-200s. [2001-01-10]
Mixed news on Avro RJX competition
As the first flight of the Avro RJX nears, the competition is also moving forward. Bombardier has cancelled plans to develop an all-new 100-115-seat regional jet, the BRJ-X. The 86-seat CRJ-900 is on a fast track, however, with the construction of the prototype underway. The 70-seat CRJ-700 was certificated on 22 December 2000, and delivery of the first example is imminent. Embraer continues to work on its new ERJ-170/190. First deliveries of the 70-seat ERJ-170 are scheduled for 2002. Fairchild Dornier's 728JET has experienced a series of delays, and first deliveries are now not expected before 2003. At the high end of the scale, Airbus's A318 has attracted considerable attention from airlines already operating other members of the A320 family, but its weight and price make it unattractive to regional airlines. Initial deliveries are scheduled for late 2002. Boeing has put on hold plans for an 80-seat shrink of its 717 (née McDonnell Douglas MD-95). Moreover, American Airlines' proposed acquisition of TWA has put TWA's order for 50 717-200s in doubt, as American is reported not to be interested in the aircraft. Cancellation of the TWA order would be a severe blow for the 717 program, from which it might not recover. [2001-01-15]
British Airways shops for regional jets
Flight International reports that British Airways has issued a request for proposals for up to 100 regional jets. BA is reportedly considering the BAE Systems Avro RJX, Bombardier CRJ 700/900, Embraer ERJ-170/190, and Faichild Dornier 728JET/928JET for the order, which would likely cover 50 firm orders and 50 options. The move is part of BA's efforts to consolidate its commuter affiliates, under which Avro RJ100 operator CityFlyer is to be merged with Gatwick-based EOG, and BAe 146 operator British Regional Airlines (BRAL), which operates as a BA franchise operator, may be acquired and merged with subsidiary Brymon. CityFlyer has three outstanding orders for RJ100s, for delivery in the next few months, and six options for RJX-100s. These options will now only be taken up if BA opts for the RJX for the entire regional jet order. BRAL, though at one point seen likely to order RJXs, had apparently chosen the ERJ-170. This order would also be superseded by any BA order, assuming BRAL is in fact acquired. Prospects for the RJX to win the order appear mixed. The RJX would be available sooner, and would provide a full range of sizes from the start. And of course the RJX is the only jet among those under consideration able to serve airports such as London City (although at present no British Airways affiliate serves the airport). But BAE Systems would be hard pressed to deliver the numbers required, given its current production rate of about 20 aircraft a year. The Bombardier CRJ-700 is available now and the CRJ-900 will follow soon, but at 86 seats the latter falls well short of the top end of the 70-110 seat range specified in the BA tender, and it would be impractical to stretch the design further. The Embraer and Fairchild Dornier products have a distinct advantage in being all-new designs, but they have yet to fly, and the larger members of their families would not be available for several years. [2001-01-29]
National Jet Italia opens Athens route
National Jet Italia, which operates British Airways franchise flights, has expanded beyond the Italian domestic services it has operated hitherto, beginning service from Roma Fiumicino to Athens on 22 January. The flight is operated twice a day. BAe 146-300 G-NJIE operated the first flight. [2001-01-30]
| February 2001 |
The Avro RJX came one step closer to first flight on 24 January, when the first Honeywell AS977 engine was fitted to the prototype RJX-85, msn E2376, in the number four position. The engine arrived at Woodford the previous day. The entire engine assembly, comprising the AS977 engine, nacelle, and pylon installation has been designed as an integrated whole known as the Integrated Powerplant System (IPPS). It is being produced in a cooperative arrangement by BAE Systems, Honeywell, and GKN-Westland. Its development has experienced delays, postponing first flight by several months from the mid-late 2000 timescale originally envisaged. First flight is now expected to take place later this month, although it may slip further, into March. The first RJX-100, msn E3378, will follow a few months later. [2001-02-05] |
Strikes disrupt SABENA and Aer Lingus flights
Aer Lingus cancelled the majority of its flights on February 6 to 8 because of a strike by the IMPACT union which represents its cabin crew. The union is seeking pay increases. Aer Lingus Commuter operates eight BAe 146-300s on routes from Dublin to UK regional airports. Flights at SABENA were also disrupted on February 7 by a pilot walkout. The pilots were upset over possible job losses included in a cost-cutting plan. Further labor trouble is threatened at both airlines. [2001-02-10]
French BAe 146 operator Air Jet has separated from parent Jet Services. Jet Services was acquired by the TNT Post Group in December 1998. TNT's interest was limited to Jet Service's parcel distribution network. Neither the airline nor its three BAe 146s were integrated into the TNT network, partly because TNT did not need the capacity and partly because as convertible QCs AirJet's 146s cannot carry TNT's standard freight igloos. One 146QC was returned off-lease in July 2000. A sale of the airline to Flightline was considered, but fell through. Instead, Air Jet has become a stand-alone company in late 2000, with its Head Office in Bordeaux. Their current fleet is composed of two BAe 146-200QCs, which are used on passenger services on behalf of Air France during the day and to fly parcels for Jet Services at night. The company is considering acquiring additional 146s to expand. [2001-02-11] |
First 146 heads for atmospheric research future
After twenty years of test flying, the number one BAe 146, serial number E3001, has found a new role in life as an atmospheric research aircraft. BAE Systems won the contract to supply an instrumented aircraft to the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST). UMIST will use it in partnership with the UK's Meteorological Office and Natural Environment Research Council, replacing a Lockheed C-130 currently operated by the Meteorological Research Flight (MRF). Like the C-130, E3001 will be equipped with a comprehensive suite of equipment allowing researchers to make a wide variety of atmospheric observations. The modifications are expected to cost about UKP16.5 million, and to be completed in late 2002. E3001 will be based at Woodford, where BAE Systems will maintain and operate her on behalf of UMIST and its partners. E3001 was originally built in 1981, as the first BAe 146, serial number E1001. She was rolled out on 20 May and made her first flight on 3 September. In 1987, she was converted to serve as the series 300 development aircraft, E3001, making her first flight in her new guise on 1 May. This new mission is expected to keep her busy for another ten years. [2001-02-17]
Asset Management announces BAe 146 lease renewals
BAE Systems' asset management arm has announced two lease renewals in its year-end review. Australian Air Express renewed the leases on three BAe 146QT freighters (two series 300s and a series 100). Australian Air Express is a joint venture company between Qantas and Australia Post. It has operated BAe 146 freighters for 10 years on overnight cargo services throughout eastern Australia. The 146s are operated on Australian Air Express' behalf by National Jet Systems. In addition, Air Canada has extended the leases on ten BAe 146s operated by its subsidiaries AirBC and Air Nova, who have five series 200s each. The leases were actually extended some time ago, but the announcement was postponed pending Air Canada also reaching an agreement with Honeywell for the power-by-the-hour program on the engines. Air Canada is planning to integrate all of its regional subsidiaries into a single carrier. As part of this process, it has announced its intention of seeking replacements for all the aircraft in its regional fleet, but its priority is to replace the Fokker F28s obtained from Canadian Regional. Overall, BAE Systems won new business worth about US$800 million from its regional aircraft business in 2000, including $525 million in new aircraft sales and options, $165 million in leases and sales used aircraft, and $110 million from customer support, training, and ongoing spares sales. [2001-02-18]
| March 2001 |
Exeter-based British European has agreed to acquire as many as 20 Avro RJX-100s. In a deal worth over US$600 million, British European signed a memorandum of understanding for twelve RJX-100s, with options on a further eight options. The MoU calls for deliveries to begin in April 2002 and continue through March 2006. The RJX-100s will gradually replace British European's current fleet of BAe 146s -- three series 100s, seven series 200s, and six series 300s, with one more series 200 scheduled for delivery. The RJX-100s will be used throughout British European's route system, as well as on the routes it operates on Air France's behalf. British European's RJX-100s will be configured with 112 seats, while those to be operated for Air France will seat 100. The RJX's ability to operate from London City, where British European is building a hub, and Belfast City, where British European is the largest operator, was a key factor in its selection. From London City, for example, the RJX-100 will be able to carry 100 passengers as far as 760 nautical miles even on a hot summer day -- compared to the BAe 146-300's limit of 124 nm under the same conditions. British European, which changed its name from Jersey European in 2000, is one of Asset Management's greatest success stories; its order for RJXs continues this relationship. This order brings a welcome boost to the RJX orderbook, which so far included only two firm orders, from Bhutan's Druk Air for RJX-85s, and six options, from CityFlyer for RJX-100s -- and the latter are in some doubt in light of British Airways's decision to standardize the regional jet fleet of its regional subsidiaries. [2001-03-01] |
Avro RJ85 sold
BAE Systems announced that it has sold an Avro RJ85 to an undisclosed customer. The combined BAe 146/Avro RJ/Avro RJX orderbook now stands at 399. [2001-03-01]
Lufthansa's acquisition of Eurowings blocked
Lufthansa's acquisition of a 24.9% stake of Eurowings has been blocked by the German federal cartel office, on the grounds that it would exacerbate Lufthansa's already dominant position in Germany's domestic market. Lufthansa has competition on only 20 of its 86 domestic routes, and on four of these routes Eurowings is the sole competitor. Moreover, the termination of Eurowings' codeshare agreements with KLM and Air France reduces foreign carriers' ability to provide competition. The deal might nevertheless be approved if Lufthansa offers concessions to improve competition, though what these might be was not indicated. Lufthansa acquired 24.9% of Eurowings in January, and had planned to increase this stake further. Joint flight plans were announced in February. [2001-03-06]
British Airways buys British Regional
British Airways has offered to buy British Regional Airlines Group PLC (BRAL), which includes BAe 146 operators British Regional Airlines and Manx, for UKP78 million ($115 million). BRAL's board is recommending that shareholders accept BA's offer. BA is planning to merge British Regional with Brymon, another BA regional subsidiary. British Regional already operates as a British Airways franchisee. Manx would continue to operate in its own colors. The takeover is subject to approval by the UK's Office of Fair Trading. [2001-03-08]
The first Avro RJX-85 was fitted with its fourth Honeywell AS977 on 6 March, finally opening the way for the type's much-delayed first flight to take place. No date for the first flight was announced, however. Delays in the design and construction of the Integrated Powerplant System (IPPS), which includes the engines, nacelle, and pylon, have been the major factor in causing the first flight to slip by more than three months. The first IPPS arrived at Woodford in late January, over two months behind schedule. The delays have been attributed to insufficient resources being assigned by BAE Systems, Honeywell, and GKN-Westland to development of the IPPS. To help make up the delay, the third RJX will join the test program. BAE Systems still hopes to achieve certification by the end of the year. By then, Honeywell hopes that AS977 deliveries will be back on schedule. The engine is expected to be certified in September. [2001-03-09] |
Goldwing suspends operations
Italian start-up Goldwing Airlines was forced to suspend operations when Palermo-based Med Airlines, which had been operating its SAAB 2000 on Goldwing's behalf, shut down. Goldwing had planned to begin service using a BAe 146-100 leased from Air Botswana, but could not do so as it had not received its AOC. Instead, operations on December 20 using a BAe 146-200 wet-leased from Flightline. After a few days, however, the 146 was replaced by the Med Airlines SAAB 2000. Still without an AOC, Goldwing is unable to take delivery of the Air Botswana 146, which remains in storage at Southend. [2001-03-12]
Greek Avro RJ100 operator Aegean Airlines has announced an agreement to merge with Boeing 737 operator Cronus. The merger hopes to take advantage of the complementarity between Aegean's domestic network and Cronus' primarily international route system to create a strong competitor to troubled state-owned airline Olympic. Together, the two companies account for nearly 40% of the Greek air travel market, carrying more than 2.8 million passengers (including 2.4 million on Greek domestic flights). Current shareholders of Aegean will receive 77.5% of the shares of the new airline, with Cronus shareholders receiving the balance. Both brand names will continue to be used at first, with Aegean's six Avro RJ100s and three ATR72s initially concentrating on Greek domestic routes and Cronus' Boeing 737s focusing on international routes and charters. The merger is subject to regulatory approval. [2001-03-12] |
Köln-based BAe 146 operator WDL has received a contract to operate a BAe 146-200 on behalf of Deutsche BA on routes from Münich to Hamburg and Köln. Operations began on 11 March, using a series 200 painted with Deutsche BA's titles and its 'Bavaria' tail colors. The contract is due to last for one year. WDL had already operated the same 146 on Deutsche BA's behalf for several weeks in November 2000, flying between Köln and Münich, Dusseldorf, and Berlin (Tegel). Two of WDL's other 146s are operated for EADS on the shuttle between the Airbus plants at Hamburg Finkenwerder and Toulouse, while the fourth is operated for BMW between Münich and Birmingham. [2001-03-18] |
The Avro RJX passed a major milestone on 18 March when it began engine runs. The tests began with the number four Honeywell AS977 fitted to the first RJX-85, G-ORJX. The engine was started up twice, and run through a pre-planned series of tests. In the following two days, the tests were repeated on each of the other three engines in turn. The fire extinguisher systems were also tested. All tests were completed successfully. Taxi trials are now expected to begin in early April, and then be followed by the long-awaited first flight. [2001-03-28] |
| April 2001 |
CityJet adds more BAe 146s
Irish Airline CityJet is expanding its already sizeable BAe 146 fleet by leasing three additional series 200s from BAE Systems. The leases were arranged with the assistance of Mike Ryan of Vikingar, a specialist who advises in buying and selling the BAe 146. The first of the three former Malmö Aviation 146s has already been delivered. The second is due in mid-April, and the third in early May. In addition, CityJet has been leasing a series 200 from Flightline since late January. Once all three ex-Malmö aircraft have been delivered, CityJet will have a twelve-strong 146 fleet, although its series 100 is out of service for repairs and is unlikely to return to service before being returned to BAE Systems at the end of its lease. All are operated on behalf of Air France, in the French airline's colors. [2001-04-04]
Mesaba teams with Pan Am for Avro RJ training
Avro RJ operator Mesaba Airlines has signed a 10-year agreement with Pan Am International Flight Academy (PAIFA) to provide it with flight training services. Under the terms of the agreement, PAIFA will establish a new training center in Minneapolis to train Mesaba's Avro RJ85 and SAAB 340 crews. The center, due to open in the fall, will house an FAA-approved Level D simulator for the Avro RJ. Mesaba's pilot currently receive RJ flight training in Europe. PAIFA is a major supplier of flight training services. It already operates a BAe 146 simulator, at its training center near Dulles International Airport outside Washington DC. [2001-04-10]
Southern moves BAe 146 maintenance to Tasmania
Qantas regional subsidiary Southern Australia has moved the maintenance operations for its three BAe 146s from Adelaide to a new hangar at Launceston airport, in Tasmania. National Jet Systems, who undertakes 146 maintenance under contract to Southern, has relocated 15 engineers to Launceston. The new facility will ease maintenance, since Southern uses its 146s heavily across the Bass Strait, which separates Tasmania from mainland Australia. "Launceston is the centre of our jet operation," said Southern general manager Tony Mathews. "All our jets go through Launceston at some stage of the day so it fits in quite nicely with us." Construction of the new hangar was financed by the Australian Pacific Airports Corporation, Launceston airport's owner, with some State Government assistance. Rumors suggest that Qantas may soon re-brand its regional subsidiaries, including Southern. [2001-04-20]
New Zealand's Tasman Pacific Airlines, which operates as Qantas New Zealand, ceased flying late on Friday, April 20, and was placed in receivership early the following morning. The airline's fleet, including its eight BAe 146-300s, have been parked. The owners of the financially-troubled airline had been negotiating to sell it to Qantas. Had the sale occurred, Qantas was expected to replace Tasman Pacific's 146s with Boeing 737s so as to combine domestic New Zealand flying with trans-Tasman flights to Australia. Ultimately, however, Qantas balked at the asking price, which included the assumption of considerable debt. Australian low-cost carriers Impulse and Virgin Blue were also approached, but nothing came of these talks either. Tasman Pacific was formed in 1987 as Ansett New Zealand. The airline ordered seven BAe 146s in 1989 to replace its Boeing 737s. In 1996, Ansett New Zealand was sold to the News Corporation Ltd. Cost-cutting moves led to labor strife that all but grounded the airline in September 1999 after pilots refused to sign a new contract offered by management. The pilots eventually gave in, allowing services to resume in November, but not before the airline had lost considerable market share. The airline was later acquired by a group of New Zealand investors, who arranged the franchise agreement with Qantas. The Qantas New Zealand name was adopted in June 2000. Despite the boost given by the Qantas brand, the airline's financial troubles continued. Tasman Pacific was apparently forced into receivership when Wellington Airport demanded immediate payment of two months' in landing fees. [2001-04-20] |
The first Avro RJX-85, G-ORJX (msn E2376), began taxi trials at Woodford on 20 April. The first flight is imminent. [2001-04-22] |
British European increases Air France collaboration
Exeter-based British European is increasing its cooperation with Air France. In addition to operating several BAe 146s on behalf of the French airline, British European will also codeshare with Air France on UK domestic routes. Air France is hoping the deal will help it entice British passengers to bypass British Airways' congested hub at Heathrow and instead use its hub at Paris Charles de Gaulle. The codesharing arrangement began in March on British European flights from Aberdeen and Edinburgh to London City, and from Edinburgh and Belfast to Birmingham, and will be expanded to cover all British European flights from UK regional airports into Birmingham, London City, and London Gatwick in July. British European has also taken over Air France's Glasgow-Paris service, which it now operates three times a day on weekdays with BAe 146s, connecting through Birmingham. The frequency of Birmingham-Paris services has been increased to seven times a day, with most services operated with BAe 146-300s. In other news, British European is adding a fourth daily flight from London City Airport to the Isle of Man, to be operated by a BAe 146 (the remaining services continue to use Dash 8s). [2001-04-22]
Albanian Airlines buys a BAe 146
Albanian Airlines is joining the ranks of BAe 146 operators. The Albanian national airline is acquiring a series 200 previously operated by Malmö Aviation from the Trading and Services business of BAE Systems Aircraft Services Group. Albanian decided on the BAe 146 as a replacement for its Tupolev Tu-134s a year ago, and has been working with BAE Systems to secure a suitable example. In addition to being substantially quieter than the stage II Tu-134, the 146 also offers a substantial capacity increase. In Albanian service, the 146 will be configured with 96 seats arranged 6-abreast, compared to the Tu-134's 76 seats. Albanian flies from Tirana, the country's capital, to Bologna, Frankfurt, Istanbul, Pristina, Rome, and Zurich. The airline was acquired in 1995 by Kuwait's M.A. Kharafi Group, one of the largest foreign investors in Albania. It's current fleet is wet-leased from Bulgaria's Hemus Air, and operated under the latter's Air Operators Certificate. BAE Systems has been working on placing BAe 146s in eastern and central Europe for some time. Air travel to and within the region is expanding rapidly, but many new markets remain too small for larger equipment such as Boeing 737s, while noise restrictions and high maintenance costs are forcing the replacement of the remaining Russian-built airliners. Albanian is scheduled to take delivery of its BAe 146 in May, once the aircraft has received a 'C' check from British European Aviation Services (BEAS), British European's engineering arm. [2001-04-25]
The new Avro RJX took to the air for the first time on 28 April. RJX-85 msn E2376 G-ORJX took off at 12:16 local time from Woodford, with Avro RJX Project Pilot Alan Foster at the controls. Blustery April weather had threatened to further delay the flight, but lightning, hail, and rain made way for clear blue skies at the time of takeoff. The maiden flight lasted 2 hours and 54 minutes, during which G-ORJX reached an altitude of 20,000 feet. Pilot Alan Foster said the RJX-85 handled extremely well throughout the flight. "Any pilot converting from the Avro RJ or BAe 146 will feel immediately at home in the RJX," he said. "The most obvious differences from the earlier aircraft were the lower fuel flow rates and the improved climb rate due to the increased thrust at altitude." The RJX orderbook includes 14 firm orders and 10 options: 12 firm orders for RJX-100s and eight options from British European, two firm orders for RJX-85s from Druk Air, and six options for RJX-100s from CityFlyer. The total orderbook for the BAe 146/Avro RJ/Avro RJX family stands at 399, plus 14 options. [2001-04-28] |
Avro RJX test program detailed
The test program which began with Saturday's maiden flight is expected to last until early 2002. In the first phase of the program, testing will focus mainly on confirming aircraft handling characteristics and the operation of the new systems. The second phase will focus on performance testing. During this phase, G-ORJX will spend about three months in the Americas, where hotter conditions and higher elevation airfields are available. This phase will also include a stay at the McKinley Climatic Laboratory at Eglin Air Force base in Florida, which has facilities for testing aircraft in environments ranging from minus 540C to plus 740C with 100-mile per hour winds, icing, clouds, rain, and snow. The second RJX, RJX-100 msn E3378 G-IRJX, is expected to make her first flight in July. She will then join the test program, undertaking performance, handling, and systems development trials. She will also be used for autoland validation and to gather data for the simulator. The third RJX built, RJX-100 msn E3391, will also take part in testing. Following her first flight, scheduled for October 2001, she will used to measure internal noise, for tests such as proof against electromagnetic interference, and for airworthiness authority assessments. Unlike G-ORJX and G-IRJX, E3391 will be a fully furnished passenger aircraft. BAE Systems expect the RJX to receive its airworthiness certification in the first quarter of 2002. Both prototype aircraft will then be refurbished for customer delivery. [2001-04-28]
The Australian Federal Government has renewed National Jet Systems' (NJS) contract to serve the Cocos (Keeling) and Christmas Islands for three years. The new contract became effective on April 1. NJS will use its Avro RJ70 to operate the twice weekly service to the Indian Ocean islands from Perth. NJS has been operating the 2,800 km route under contract for some time. Although the Islanders had complained about the limited capacity offered by the RJ70, the primary constraint is not the aircraft type but the limited flight frequency -- and even that wouldn't happen without a substantial government subsidy. [2001-04-30] |
| May 2001 |
Titan is operating a BAe 146-200 on behalf of low-cost airline go. The 146 is used on go's new services from Belfast to Edinburgh and Glasgow, with inaugural service being flown on 4 May. The wet lease is expected to last until September, when the arrival of additional 737s will allow go to take over the route in its own right. KLM recently considered making an offer for go, with the intention of merging it with its own low-cost subsidiary, BAe 146 operator buzz. [2001-05-05] |
Qantas rebrands its regional subsidiaries
Qantas is rebranding its regional subsidiaries, including BAe 146 operators Airlink and Southern Australia. All four subsidiaries, who have hitherto operated under their own names, will henceforth operate under the QantasLink brand. All services will have four-digit Qantas flight numbers, Airlink's in the QF1800-QF1999 range and Southern's in the QF2600-QF2899 range. In other respects, however, the airlines will retain their independence. National Jet Systems operates five series 100s, five series 200s, and two series 300s on Qantas' behalf under the Airlink name, while Southern's fleet includes three series 200s. The intention of the rebranding is to provide a more seamless service to passengers in the 52 cities and towns throughout Australia served by QantasLink. Aircraft will be progressively re-painted over the coming weeks. Some aircraft have been flying with their titles painted out in recent weeks, in anticipation of the change. [2001-05-10]
British Airways has announced details of its plan to merge BAe 146 operator British Regional Airlines with Plymouth-based Brymon. The two airlines will be combined into a single operation under the name British Airways CitiExpress. Louise Fowler, Brymon's Managing Director, will lead the effort to integrate the two airlines, a process that is expected to take about a year. Rob Hearn, currently BRAL's Chief Operating Officer, will eventually head CitiExpress. The joint network will serve 59 destinations within British Airways' route system, with a fleet of 72 aircraft -- including BRAL's two BAe 146s. BRAL's sister airline Manx will continue to operate services to the Isle of Man under its own colors. In the late 1980s, Brymon played a leading role in efforts to bring the BAe 146 to London City Airport. Its acquisition by British Airways and subsequent pull-out from London City services meant it never operated the type, however. [2001-05-10] |
First Air Botnia RJ85 delivered
Finnish airline Air Botnia joined the ranks of Avro RJ operators when it took delivery of its first RJ85 on 10 May. The SAS subsidiary placed an order for five RJ85s in September 2000, to replace its Fokker F28s. Noise considerations were a major factor in the RJ85's selection. The noisy F28s are subject to strict curfews at many airports, and new noise rules scheduled to take effect this year will make the situation worse. The RJ85, on the other hand, will meet both the new noise rules and all anticipated future restrictions. With their 79 seats, Air Botnia's RJ85s will also provide a capacity increase over the 67-seat F28s. [2001-05-10]
Twentieth anniversary of BAe 146 roll-out
May 20 marks the twentieth anniversary of the roll-out of the first BAe 146. The first BAe 146, registered G-SSSH to emphasize the type's quietness, was rolled out at Hatfield on 20 May 1981. She later made her first flight on 3 September. Since then, the 146 and its successors, the Avro RJ and RJX, have become the best-selling British-built jetliner, with 385 examples built to date out of 399 ordered. [2001-05-20]
Air New Zealand to operate BAe 146s
Air New Zealand has announced plans to operate at least four of the eight BAe 146-300s formerly operated by bankrupt Tasman Pacific Airlines as Qantas New Zealand. Air New Zealand will use the 146s to boost domestic services on routes from Auckland to Queenstown and from Christchurch to Rotorua and Queenstown. Tasman Pacific had been leasing the aircraft from Air New Zealand, an arrangement which dated from its origins as Ansett New Zealand. News Corp, which owned both Ansett Australia and Ansett NZ at the time, leased the 146s to the New Zealand airline. The expensive arrangement is widely thought to have been a way for News Corp to funnel profits out of its subsidiary, and to have played an important role in Tasman Pacific's eventual demise. Air New Zealand acquired title to the aircraft when it bought Ansett Australia from News Corp. Ansett NZ remained separate, and was later sold to a local consortium, who changed its name to Tasman Pacific and began operating as a Qantas franchise in September 2000. Air New Zealand repossessed the 146s soon after Tasman Pacific was placed in receivership and ceased flying, on April 20. It had to fight a court battle, however, to secure the maintenance records and spare parts. Air New Zealand had been expected to send the 146s across the Tasman Sea to Ansett Australia, joining the twelve 146s already operated by the Australian airline. The four 146s will be operated on Air New Zealand's behalf by subsidiary Mount Cook Airways. [2001-05-21]
BAE Systems shows off Avro RJX at Duxford
BAE Systems and Honeywell presented the RJX-85 to airline and industry executives, financial managers, and reporters at a special event at Duxford Airfield on May 21. The guests included Barry Perrott, Chief Executive of lead RJX customer British European, and Antonis Simigdalas, Chief Operating Officer of fast-growing RJ operator Aegean Airlines. The RJX prototype now sports British European titles. [2001-05-28]
| June 2001 |
Gatwick-based Avro RJ operator CityFlyer has taken delivery of its sixteenth RJ100 -- the last it had on firm order. The aircraft, registered G-CFAH, is the last of a group of six ordered by CityFlyer in July 2000. CityFlyer took delivery of her on 8 June and placed her into service on the following day. She had actually been ready for delivery some ten days earlier, but CityFlyer did not have sufficient crews ready and so delayed accepting her. CityFlyer holds six options for RJX-100s, but their fate depends on British Airways' decision on a large order of regional jets to be used by its subsidiaries and those of OneWorld Alliance partner QANTAS. CityFlyer is being integrated into British Airways' other Gatwick-based subsidiary, EOG. Most management functions have already been integrated. Most remaining staff are operational, and will remain at CityFlyer until next March, when all operations will be consolidated at Gatwick's North Terminal. CityFlyer's pilots recently voted to accept British Airways' offer on pay and conditions. [2001-06-10, updated 06-23] |
Northwest drops bid for Mesaba
Northwest Airlines has withdrawn its offer to buy the shares of Mesaba it does not already own. Northwest had made the offer in November 2000 and negotiations had been underway since then. Northwest's decision to withdraw the offer appears to be a reaction to the problems Delta Airlines experienced following its acquisition of Cincinnati-based Comair. The move prompted Comair's pilots to demand salaries and working conditions more similar to those of mainline Delta pilots. The resulting strike has grounded Comair since March. Despite its decision not to pursue an outright acquisition of Mesaba, Northwest has announced it would continue its existing relationship with Mesaba, and expand it. Mesaba operates 36 Avro RJ85s and a large fleet of SAAB 340s on Northwest's behalf. [2001-06-15]
Hailstorm pummels Air Wisconsin BAe 146s
A severe hailstorm smashed through Denver International airport on Wednesday 21 June, catching aircraft on the ground during the evening connection bank. Nine of Air Wisconsin's eighteen BAe 146s were damaged by the golfball-sized hailstones, as were six of its Do 328s and four of its CRJ-200s, causing substantial flight cancellations in the following days. Air Wisconsin dispatched teams of maintenance personnel to inspect and repair the damaged aircraft, and expects to return them all to service by Sunday. Air Wisconsin operates all its aircraft on United Express services. It recently placed an order for 75 Bombardier CRJs, to allow it to expand its operations. It is also considering its options to replace its 146s, and is looking closely at the Avro RJX. The BAe 146, Avro RJ, and RJX are the only jetliners able to operate on Air Wisconsin's key Aspen-Denver market. [2001-06-23]
| July 2001 |
GE-Honeywell merger blocked
General Electric's proposed purchase of Honeywell International has been blocked by European Union regulators. As a result, the 146's ALF502, the RJ's LF507, and the RJX's AS977 engines will remain Honeywell products rather than taking on the GE brand. It would not have been the first brandname change for the family's engines, which have already gone from the Avco Lycoming, then Textron Lycoming, then AlliedSignal, then Honeywell brands. Excessive concentration in the market for regional jet engines was one of the concerns cited by the EU. GE's CF34 engine powers the Canadair Regional Jet, and has been selected to power the Fairchild Dornier 728JET family and the ERJ-170 family. [2001-07-05]
Avro RJX flies with first 'Block 2' AS577
The first production-standard 'Block 2' Honeywell AS977 has been fitted to the Avro RJX-85 development aircraft, msn E2376 G-ORJX, replacing one of the pre-production 'Block 1' engines previously fitted in the number 1 position. She made her first flight with the new engines on 6 July. The 50 minute flight was the 54th in the RJX development program. It brought G-ORJX's total flight time to over 107 hours. Compared to the Block 1 engines, the Block 2 engines include performance-related developments to the fan/stator, to the combustor, and to the FADEC software, as well as durability and weight enhancements. After the initial Block 2 engine operability phase is completed, the remaining Block 1 engines will be replaced and performance trials will begin. Two additional Block 2 engines have already been delivered. [2001-07-10]
British European has signed a contract for up to 20 Avro RJX-100s. The contract confirms the memorandum of understanding signed in March 2001. It includes 12 firm orders, with deliveries due to begin in April 2002. As part of the deal, British European also extended its contract for the JetSpares aircraft support program for a further 10 years. JetSpares provides rotable spares at a fixed fee per flying hour. British European also become a launch customer for BAE Systems' new Electronic Fleet Data Management System (EFDMS), which provides access to dynamic operational data through the internet. British European currently operates 17 BAe 146s, including three series 100s, eight series 200s, and six series 300s, which it operates both on its own behalf and on Air France franchise flights. Jim French, managing director of British European said: "We have enjoyed considerable success with the BAe 146, which has proved very popular with our passengers. The RJX will give us even greater potential to develop our network. With the new Honeywell AS977 engines we will enjoy excellent fuel savings, improved range and excellent reliability. Furthermore, the installation of Cat III landing capability will considerably enhance our operational performance year round". [2001-07-12] |
Tolmount acquires NJI
Rome-based BAe 146 operator National Jet Italia had been acquired by the Tolmount investment group for UKP35 million. Tolmount is headed by Peter Sutch, a former chief executive of Cathay Pacific Airways. It will raise funds for the transaction by issing shares on the London Stock Exchange. NJI operates three BAe 146-300s and two Boeing 737s on British Airways franchise flights from Rome. [2001-07-17]
Albanian Airlines took delivery of former Malmö Aviation BAe 146-200 SE-DRG (msn E2054) as ZA-MAL on July 13. She entered service on July 16, on services from the Albanian capital, Tirana, to Frankfurt, Bologna, and Rome (Fiumicino). [2001-07-20] |
Eastern Air Group, parent of China Eastern Airlines, will take over Xian-based China Northwest, whose fleet includes three BAe 146 series 100s and seven series 300s. The move is part of the consolidation of Chinese airlines ordered by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). As part of the move, China Eastern has already taken over Great Wall Airlines and will also take over Yunnan Airlines. At least initially, China Northwest will continue to operate under its own brand, although it will coordinate routes and frequent flyer programs with China Eastern and cooperate on technical issues. Steps are also underway to unify equipment purchases and share spares inventories. If China Northwest were to be fully absorbed, BAe 146s would once again fly with China Eastern colors -- China Eastern operated three BAe 146-100s from its formation in 1989 until 1995. [2001-07-27] |
| August 2001 |
Following an extended stay at Woodford, Druk Air's BAe 146-100 A5-RGD (msn E1095) headed back to Bhutan on August 1st. The aircraft arrived in Woodford in June 2000 for a C check, but had to remain longer when microbiological contamination was found to have caused corrosion in the wings. Ultimately, the wings were replaced. During RGD's absence, Druk soldiered on with its remaining 146, A5-RGE (msn E1199). The lack of capacity forced Druk to charter aircraft for the connecting portions of its flights (Kathmandhu-Delhi, Dhaka-Bangkok, and Calcutta-Bangkok), while RGE concentrated on the sectors in and out of Paro -- the 146 is the only jetliner certified to operate into Paro. The airline found itself completely grounded for several days in early May after an aileron was damaged on RGE while she was being towed to the hangar. Druk is due to receive two RJX-85s next year. [2001-08-05] |
Eurowings offers concessions to German Cartel Office
Eurowings has offered concessions to the German Federal Cartel Office in an effort to gain approval for Lufthansa's proposed acquisition of a 24.9% stake. In March, the cartel office announced it would oppose the deal, on the grounds that it would exacerbate Lufthansa's already dominant position in Germany's domestic market. In an effort to alleviate these concerns, Eurowings is offering to reduce capacity on its Dortmund-Münich, Paderborn-Münich, and Nürenber-Berlin routes, so as to allow new competitors to enter them. Currently, Eurowings and Lufthansa both serve these routes, having backed off an earlier plan to combine their flights. Whether this concession will suffice to placate the cartel office remains to be seen. A final decision is expected by the end of August. Eurowings operates six BAe 146-200s and four series 300s. [2001-08-05]
British European to adjust fleet
Exeter-based British European is planning several fleet changes after posting disappointing financial results. The biggest change will see the airline disposing of all four of its recently acquired Bombardier CRJs, replacing them with additional Dash 8Q-400 turboprops. The airline's seventeen-strong BAe 146 fleet will also see changes. Under the growth strategy of previous Managing Director Barry Perrot, the airline had seriously considered retaining all the 146s when its RJXs arrive, thus expanding the fleet. It now looks likely that seven of the 146s will be retired as RJXs are delivered. The 146s likely to be involved include all three series 100s, three series 200s, and a series 300. In other news, British European announced plans to codeshare with Delta Airlines on flights from London Gatwick. The move is a logical extension of British European's relationship with Air France, Delta's partner in the Skyteam Alliance. British European will also codeshare with Scot Airways on flights from London City to Edinburgh. Together, the two airlines will operate 12 flights a day between the two cities, offering a nearly hourly service. [2001-08-09]
Air Wisconsin reached a tentative agreement with its pilot union, averting the threat of a strike that would likely have grounded the airline. The airline's 600 pilots had been seeking improvements in wages, retirement, job security, and rest provisions since their previous contract expired in July 1999. A strike seemed all but certain on Sunday, August 12, when a 30-day cooling off period ended, and Air Wisconsin had cancelled a number of flights on Saturday and Sunday to reduce the potential for disruptions. A final round of talks overseen by the National Mediation Board resulted in the agreement, which will now be submitted to the pilots for ratification. Air Wisconsin flies United Express services from Chicago and Denver to 42 cities in the USA. Its fleet includes eighteen BAe 146s, as well as Bombardier CRJs and Dornier 328s. [2001-08-14] |
CityJet BAe 146s cover for Gill Fokker 100s
Gill Airways arranged for CityJet to operate BAe 146s on its behalf for a four-week period, to cover for maintenance downtime on its Fokker 100s. The arrangement began on July 22 and ended on August 17, with 146s operating on Gill's route from Newcastle to Paris Charles de Gaulle. Although the aircraft may have been different, the color scheme was not -- both Gill and CityJet operate their aircraft in full Air France colors. A variety of CityJet 146s were used on the services, although usually a single aircraft flew most of any given day's rotations. This is not the first time that Gill has called on 146s to cover for its Fokker 100s. In addition to CityJet, Air Jet, Flightline, and Titan have all operated 146s on Gill's behalf at various times in recent years. [2001-08-18]
As planned, the first development RJX, G-ORJX (msn E2376), is heading to the US for the second phase of its flight trials, which will focus on performance testing. At first, the RJX will be based at Phoenix Williams Gateway Airport, where high ambient temperatures are common. The airport is also conveniently located near the manufacturing and support base for the Avro RJX's Honeywell AS977 engines. This stage of the trials is expected to last about two months. Later, the RJX will spend time at the McKinley Climatic Laboratory at Eglin Air Force base in Florida, which has facilities for testing aircraft in environments ranging from minus 540C to plus 740C with 100-mile per hour winds, icing, clouds, rain, and snow. G-ORJX left Woodford on the afternoon of August 25, with a team of 12 specialists from BAE Systems and Honeywell on board. RJX-85 flight test team (L to R): Al McDicken, Peter Lofts, Al Foster (Pilots), Alan Sunenberry (Honeywell), Derek Ferguson (Flight Test Engineer), Dave Simkiss (Pilots' Office), Sara Harper (Flight Test Engineer), Bob Scowcroft (Ground Support), Mark Jackson (Avionics), Mike McDonald (Ground Support), Rob Corpenstein (Honeywell), Paul Evans (Ground Support). [2001-08-27] |
| September 2001 |
September 3 marks the twentieth anniversary of the first flight of the BAe 146. The prototype BAe 146, G-SSSH msn E1001, made her first flight from Hatfield on 3 September. She had already made several hops into the air on the previous day, during runway trials. For her first flight, she was piloted by BAe chief test pilot Mike Goodfellow, assisted by deputy chief test pilot Peter Sedgwick, assistant flight test manager Roger de Mercado, and senior instrumentation engineer Ron Hammond. The flight began at 11:54 am, and lasted 95 minutes. E1001 was later converted to serve as the series 300 prototype. She is currently being modified to serve as an atmospheric research aircraft. [2001-09-04] |
Ansett ceases operations
Australian airline Ansett ceased operations on the morning of September 14. Ansett, Australia's second-largest airline is owned by Air New Zealand, and has been losing over A$1 million a day. The airline entered voluntary administration on September 12, when Air New Zealand -- who faces its own financial problems -- cut off support after several efforts to sell all or part of the airline fell through. Singapore Airlines was long considered a prime candidate to buy part of Ansett, but the New Zealand government refused it permission to increase its 25% stake in Air New Zealand. A deal with new low-cost airline Virgin Blue was also mooted, but spurned by Sir Richard Branson. Desparate to avoid the loss of Ansett, the Australian government even entreated arch-competitor Qantas to acquire Ansett. Negotiations with several potential buyers continue. Most are likely to only be interested in Ansett's trunk routes, however, rather than the airline's regional routes. Ansett was one of the oldest BAe 146 operator, having acquired two series 200s in 1985. At the time of the shutdown, the airline operated seven series 200s on regional routes in western Australia, and three series 300s on routes in eastern Australia. Its Ansett Cargo subsidiary operated two series 200QT freighters (Ansett sold its Ansett Air Freight subsidiary to TNT in 1999, but kept the 146QTs under the Ansett Cargo name). [2001-09-15]
BAE Systems was confirmed that the unannounced customer for the Avro RJ85 ordered in early March is the Bahrain Defence Force. The Bahrain Defence Force, which hitherto had been exclusively a helicopter operator, selected the Avro RJ85 for its outstanding airfield performance and operational flexibility. The RJ85 will be used in a variety of roles. Including support, the deal is worth US$25 million. The aircraft, msn E2390, was recently rolled out at Woodford and is due to be delivered in November 2001. The identity of E2390's buyer has long been something of an open secret, having been revealed in various publications. Total announced orders for Avro RJ stand at 166 aircraft, leaving only 4 aircraft from the planned Avro RJ production run -- two RJ85s and two RJ100s -- which are expected to be sold to National Jet Italia. Total sales for the BAe 146/ Avro RJ/ Avro RJX family stand at 399 firm orders, with 14 options. [2001-09-19] |
Avro RJX flight simulator ordered
BAE Systems Aircraft Services Group announced an order for an Avro RJX flight simulator for its Customer Training Centre at Woodford. The simulator is to be built by the NLX Corporation of Virginia. The visual system will be provided by Evans & Sutherland, using Panorama display optics from SEOS Displays Limited. Thales will provide the motion systems (Thales produced the original BAe 146 simulator in 1986). The simulator is expected to be ready for training to JAA Level C standard in 18 months, with full Level D approval following, the highest available, will be obtained after final flight test data has been loaded into the simulator software. [2001-09-23]
US airlines cut schedules
Like almost all other US airlines, BAe 146 operator Air Wisconsin (operating as United Express) and Avro RJ operator Mesaba (operating as Northwest Jet Airlink) have announced cuts to their flight schedules. The moves come in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks, which resulted in an unprecedented two-day grounding of all US airlines, and a precipitous drop in passenger numbers. Air Wisconsin announced it would initially fly only 65 percent of normal departures, building to 80 percent of normal departures by the end of September and to about 86 percent of planned departures in October. Air Wisconsin operates 18 BAe 146s jets feeding United Airlines' Chicago and Denver hubs. Mesaba announced plans to reduce its flight schedule by about 20 percent on a system-wide available seat mile basis. Mesaba operates 36 Avro RJ85s, feeding Northwest's Minneapolis-St.Paul, Detroit, and Memphis hubs. Hawaii-based Aloha Airlines, which had been thought to be close to an Avro RJX-100 order, has also cut its flights by about 25 percent. [2001-09-25]
British European picks up Gill pieces
When Newcastle-based Gill Airways ceased operations on 20 September, British European was quick to jump into the breach. Within hours of Gill's shutdown, a British European BAe 146 took over the defunct airline's route from Newcastle to Belfast City. On the next day, another BAe 146 arrived to operate the three roundtrips from Newcastle to Paris CDG that Gill had operated on Air France's behalf. British European had to shuffle aircraft to meet the requirements of the new schedules, with some Titan aircraft being chartered to cover some of British European's own routes, as well as some of the former Gill schedules. In separate news, British European adopted the "BE" code, replacing its old "JY" code. [2001-09-25]
Lufthansa takeover of Eurowings approved
The German Federal Cartels Office agreed to let Lufthansa acquire a 49% stake in Eurowings. Lufthansa acquired 24.9% of Eurowings in January, but the Cartels Office had blocked it from increasing its stake on the grounds that it would exacerbate Lufthansa's already dominant position in Germany's domestic market. In August, Eurowings announced several concessions intended to allay the regulatory body's concerns. Lufthansa indicated that the Cartels Office has imposed a series of conditions on the transaction, but did not specify what they were. Eurowings operates six BAe 146-200s and four series 300s. Eurowings has coordinated its operations with Lufthansa since the beginning of the summer schedule in March 2001. [2001-09-26]
The first Avro RJX-100 took to the air for the first time on 23 September. RJX-100 msn E3378 G-IRJX took off at 15:20 local time from Woodford, with Test Pilots Bill Ovel and Pete Lofts at the controls. The crew also included Flight Test Engineers Derek Ferguson and Paul Bayley, and Honeywell's Glen High. The flight lasted 3 hours and 10 minutes. During the flight, G-IRJX reached an altitude of 26,000 ft and speeds up to 250 kt. All planned tests were completed successfully. [2001-09-26] |
Manx grounded by insurance problems
Manx was all but grounded on September 25 after third party insurance cover for war and acts of terrorism was withdrawn in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks. Commercial insurance companies cancelled the cover to all airlines effective midnight on September 24. New policies were offered, but with coverage limited to US$50 million, rather than the previous limit of US$1 billion. The new, lower limit is below that required by regulations and by contracts with aircraft lessors. The UK Government established an indemnification scheme for British airlines, allowing them to continue flying. But Manx is not covered by the deal, as it is based on the Isle of Man, which had a distinct legal status. In the past, this status had been to the airline's advantage, as it gave it a tax advantage. As a result of the impasse, all of Manx's aircraft were grounded, including its BAe 146-200. While it tries to find a solution, Manx is trying to cover as much of its schedule as possible with aircraft borrowed from sister British Regional Airlines and leased from other airlines, but many flights have been cancelled or delayed. [2001-09-26]
Crossair and Swissair shorthaul fleets to be integrated
The restructuring plan announced by Swiss national airline Swissair calls the airline's shorthaul flights to be integrated with those of regional subsidiary Crossair, in a new operating entity dubbed Swiss Air Lines. The new entity, headed by current Crossair chief executive André Dosé, will build on Crossair's approach of providing a high quality product but at significantly lower cost than Swissair itself. It will focus primarily on European point-to-point premium traffic. Despite the integration, Crossair will retain its individual brand name. The move will see the combined Swissair and Crossair fleets being substantially reduced by 2004, but most of the cuts are expected to come from the longhaul fleet. Crossair currently operates 4 Avro RJ85s and 16 RJ100s, but is planning to replace them with Embraer ERJ 170s and 190s over the next several years. [2001-09-26]
KLMuk to maintain Aegean Avro RJ100s
Norwich-based KLMuk Engineering have entered into a contract with Aegean to maintain their Avro RJ100s. The first aircraft should arrive in Norwich in October. [2001-09-28]
Air Canada regional airlines to ground BAe 146s
Air Canada announced on September 26 that its regional airlines, Air BC and Air Nova, are to ground all ten of the BAe 146-200s they operate. The move is part of a retrenchement in the face of the drastic demand shortfall that followed the September 11 events. As part of the same move, Air Canada itself is grounding 17 DC-9s and 38 Boeing 737s and Canadian Regional, which is also now owned by Air Canada, is grounding all 19 its F28s. Air Canada has been gradually integrating its regional subsidiaries into a single carrier, but labor problems had resulted in the postponement of the launch of a new brand name for the consolidated carrier even before September 11. Air Canada had extended the leases on the ten BAe 146s late last year. [2001-09-28]
| October 2001 |
Crossair split from Swissair
In complicated maneuvering aimed at preserving something from the wreckage of Swiss national airline Swissair, Crossair was acquired by two Swiss banks. Credit Suisse and Union Bank of Switzerland bought Swissair's 70 percent stake in Crossair on October 1. The move was intended to provide Swissair with much-needed cash and to separate Crossair from Swissair's impending bankruptcy. The idea was to then use Crossair as the core of a new Swiss national airline. The plan supercedes that announced less than two weeks before, under which Crossair's operations would have been integrated with Swissair's shorthaul operations. Under the new plan, Crossair will take over The move has proven to be extremely controversial, with critics accusing UBS and Credit Suisse of cherry-picking the most viable part of the Swissair Group, leaving other creditors in the lurch. The controversy deepened when a promised loan from UBS to Swissair did not materialize in time to prevent the carrier from suspending operations on 2 October. Crossair continued operating its own flights, and then took over several of Swissair's schedules until a loan from the Swiss Federal Government allowed Swissair to return to the skies on October 4. The loan will allow Swissair to keep flying until October 28, when Crossair is scheduled to take over most of Swissair's operations under the UBS-Credit Suisse plan. [2001-10-07]
Swissair Express shut down
Swissair's financial problems have also led to the termination of Flightline's contract to operate four BAe 146-200s on Swissair Express services. Swissair created the Swissair Express brand in late 1998 in an effort to upgrade its codeshare flights to a more Swissair-like product. Debonair was the first Swissair Express operator. After Debonair collapsed, Flightline took over the contract, operating three series 200s mainly on routes to Italy and a series 300 on routes to the UK. The four 146s are currently parked at Southend airport. [2001-10-07]
Belgian national airline SABENA filed for protection from its creditors on October 3. The status, known as 'Judicial Composition', gives the struggling carrier time to attempt to re-organize. Swissair, which owns 49.5 per cent of SABENA, had been due to inject Euro 130 million (US$90 million) into the Belgian carrier, but is unable to do so because of its own financial problems. Under European Union rules banning state aid to airlines, the move also prevented the Belgian Government from providing the Euro 90 million that would have been its share of the recapitalisation. The airline's precarious financial situation was further worsened by a series of strikes by its pilot union, who are opposed to the restructuring plan proposed by SABENA's management. The Government did extend a Euro 125 million bridging loan to SABENA for a month to allow the airline to continue operating while it attempts to restructure. SABENA subsidiary Delta Air Transport (DAT) is expected to form the core of a restructured SABENA. DAT, which operates 6 BAe 146-200s, 14 Avro RJ85s, and 12 RJ100s, is the only profitable part of the SABENA group. [2001-10-07] |
Manx resumes operations
Manx was able to resume operations on October 10, after it reached an agreement that allowed it to be included in the insurance indemnification scheme established by the UK government. Manx had been grounded on September 25 after it had been left out of the program. Commercial insurance companies withdrew third party insurance cover for war and acts of terrorism in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks, and the new policies they offered had limits below those required by regulations and by contracts with aircraft lessors. The UK Government created an indemnification scheme to allow British airlines to continue flying, but Manx was not covered by the deal, as it is based on the Isle of Man, which has a distinct legal status. Manx was able to cover part of its schedule with aircraft borrowed from sister British Regional Airlines and leased from other airlines, but many flights have been cancelled or delayed. Manx wll be included in the indemnification scheme at least until October 24, by which time a permanent solution to the problem is expected to have been found. [2001-10-11]
Qantas is shuffling its QantasLink regional services, partly in response to the collapse of rival Ansett. Airlink will re-deploy the BAe 146s it is operating from Canberra to Perth, where they will operate on West Australia regional routes previously operated by Ansett. This move will concentrate Airlink's flights, which are operated by National Jet Systems, in Western Australia. Airlink's routes from Canberra will be taken over by Southern Australia, who will move their three BAe 146s from Launceston, in Tasmania. In turn, Southern's routes to Tasmania are to be taken over by Impulse using Boeing 717s. All the moves are scheduled to be completed by the end of October. [2001-10-15] |
Ansett BAe 146s on the election trail
The collapse of Ansett grounded its fleet of seven BAe 146 series 200s, three series 300s, and two series 200QT freighters. Although Ansett is now flying again in a limited "mark 2" version, this only affects the airline's Airbus A320s operating on trunk routes. However, three of the grounded BAe 146s have found work with the government. Two series 200s were chartered to operate flights for the two main political parties in their campaigns for the Australian elections due on November 11. Both went into this service on October 10. VH-JJW is flying for the Liberal Party (although the Liberal Party candidate, incumbent Prime Minister John Howard, usually uses a Falcon 50) and VH-JJP is flyign Australian Labor Party leader Kim Beasley. Australian political parties which receive a minimum number of votes in an election are entitled the use of a VIP aircraft in the following election -- an important factor given Australia's vast distances. The RAAF's VIP aircraft, which would normally have been used on these flights, are fully committed to supporting operations against Afghanistan. For the same reason, an Ansett BAe 146-300 has been chartered to operate a series of flights to East Timor, in support of Australian peacekeeping forces there. Ansett pilots and flight attendants have been hired to operate the aircraft. [2001-10-15]
Aviation Partners sells NJI
National Jet Italia (NJI), which operates four BAe 146-300s on British Airways franchise flights from Rome, has been sold by Aviation Partners Worldwide plc (formerly known as the Tolmount investment group) to Dutch company Nikoram Holding BV for UKP575,000. Nikoram will also assume NJI's debts including its liabilities to trade and other creditors and to bank and other financiers including aircraft lease commitments. In early September, NJI had been been about to place an order for the last two RJ85s and the last two RJ100s built. Indeed, the company's pilots had begun training on the new type. In the aftermath of September 11, however, the order fell through. Mounting problem have led NJI to ground its two Boeing 737s and end its flights to Nice and Athens. Instead, the company has been concentrating on Italian domestic flights with its four BAe 146-300s. Services from Rome to Genova and Verona were begun in early October. Under the new circumstances, Aviation Partners were unwilling to make the investments necessary for NJI to continue operating. [2001-10-27]
Embraer rolls out RJX competitor
Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer has rolled out its entry in the 100-seat regional jet race. The 70-seat Embraer 170 (formerly known as the ERJ 170) was rolled out at the manufacturer's plant at São José dos Campos on October 29. The 170 competes directly with the Avro RJX-70 (which has yet to attract any orders) and with the earlier BAe 146-100 and Avro RJ70. Like the 146/RJ/RJX, it will have the capability of operating into London City and other restricted airports. Embraer also announced the launch of a larger variant, the 86-seat Embraer 175, deliveries of which will begin in 2004. The 175 will compete directly with the RJX-85 (and with earlier BAe 146-200 and Avro RJ85) but will not be capable of operating from restricted airports. The family will also include two stretched models with a larger wing, the 98-seat Embraer 190 and 108-seat 195 (formerly known as the ERJ 190-100 and -200), deliveries of which will begin in late 2005 and late 2004, respectively. Deliveries of the 170 are expected to begin in December 2002, to current Avro RJ operator Crossair. Crossair has ordered thirty 170s and thirty 195s. In the long run, the 170s and 195s will replace Crossair's fleet of four RJ85s and sixteen RJ100s. However, RJs will continue to operate for the Swiss airline for some time yet -- probably until 2005-06, when 195 deliveries are completed, according to current plans. With its comfortable 4-abreast cabin and clean-sheet design, which allowed Embraer to take advantage of the latest technologies, the 170/190 family will doubtless prove formidable competitors to the RJX. However, only the smallest member of the 170/190 family will be capable of operating into restricted airports, and the full family will only be available in 2005. In contrast, every member of the RJX family will be able to operate from restricted airports, and the entire family will be available from 2002. [2001-10-30]
| November 2001 |
New BAe 146/Avro RJ maintenance program
OGMA Industria Aeronautica de Portugal, S.A., of Alverca, Portugal, and aircraft broker Hamilton Services have partnered in a joint venture to offer third-party maintenance support for the BAe 146 and Avro RJ. Government-owned OGMA has extensive experience maintaining Portuguese Air Force aircraft and overhauling Rolls Royce and other engines. In recent years, it has been expanding its civil activities, and now maintains Embraer 145s and Airbus A320s. Other activities include fabricating the fuselage of the Pilatus PC-XII airframe and part of that of the Dornier Do-328 fuselage. OGMA expects to receive an extension of is JAR 145 approval to work on the BAe 146 in mid-November. A dedicated team of engineers will be assigned to the program, the first of whom have already completed training courses with BAE Systems. The program will also have a dedicated hangar. OGMA will offer to undertake C checks, modifications, refurbishment, repairs, and painting. It will also offer line maintenance at operators' bases. [2001-11-08]
Belgian national airline SABENA suspended all operations on November 6. Since October 5, SABENA had been operating under 'Judicial Composition', a status similar to that of US Chapter 11 bankruptcy that gave it time to attempt to re-organize. The European Commission agreed to allow the Belgian government to provide a Euro 125 million bridging loan to keep the company flying as it attempted to re-organize. As with Swissair, SABENA's hopes focused on re-organizing operations around those of its regional subsidiary, Delta Air Transport (DAT). DAT, which operated six BAe 146-200s, fourteen Avro RJ85s, and twelve RJ100s, had a much leaner cost structure than its parent airline and was the only profitable part of the SABENA group. DAT operated about a third of SABENA's European flights and carried about a quarter of its passengers. However, SABENA failed to secure sufficient new financing for the effort. A last-ditch effort to arrive at a deal with Virgin Express fell through when the latter pronounced the proposed plan "unworkable." SABENA had planned to suspend operations on November 7, just ahead of a November 8 deadline to submit a new business plan. However, wildcat strikes on the 6th precipitated events. The bankruptcy filing only affects SABENA itself. DAT and several other subsidiaries are not technically included, and efforts to restart operations around DAT continue. [2001-11-08] |
British European picks up SABENA pieces
British European moved quickly to take over some of the route which had been flown by bankrupt Belgian airline SABENA. On November 7, the day after SABENA suspended operations, British European began services to Brussels from Newcastle, Birmingham, and Edinburgh. Both the Newcastle and Birmingham services are operated by some of the airline's seventeen BAe 146s. This is the second time British European has been able to profit from another airline's troubles. In September, the airline took over several routes that Gill Airways had operated from Newcastle. British European had been reducing its own schedules as a result of its own financial problems. This gave it surplus capacity which enabled it to move quickly to take advantage of the opportunities created by other airlines' problems. [2001-11-09]
Delta Air Transport (DAT), the regional subsidiary of bankrupt Belgian national airline SABENA, resumed limited operations on November 10. One of its Avro RJ100s inaugurated the new services with a flight from Brussels to Geneva. Four other flights were operated that day. On the following day, 22 services were operated. The flights use SABENA's flight numbers, but DAT's own 'QG' designator. SABENA titles have been removed from DAT's aircraft, leaving only the small 'Operated by DAT' stickers. DAT's proposed initial schedule called for it fly to 35 European destinations using its fleet of six BAe 146-200s, fourteen Avro RJ85s, and twelve RJ100s. The possibility of DAT also taking over some of SABENA's grounded fleet to operate to additional destinations is being studied. The European Commission has agreed that the EUR125 million bridging loan the Belgian government had provided to SABENA could be transferred to DAT. The government has also announced that un-named investors had agreed to provide a further E200 million to build a new company around DAT. Talks also continued with Virgin Express about a possible link-up. Air Belgium has been mentioned as a possible name for the new carrier. [2001-11-12] |
British Airways franchisee National Jet Italia (NJI) suspended operations after it failed to gain access to a new credit line and ran out of cash. The airline had announced in October that it was to be acquired by Dutch company Nikoram Holding BV. The transaction was to have included an infusion of new capital. It is unclear, however, whether the transaction was consumated. NJI had been operating four BAe 146-300s on flights from Rome, in British Airways colors. The four 146s have been flown to storage, two at Exeter and two at Dublin. NJI professes itself to be optimistic about its chances of restarting operations. However, Air Sicilia has already taken over its key Rome-Catania route, with three daily services. [2001-11-14] |
An Avro RJ100 operated by Crossair crashed on approach to Zürich around 22:00 on Saturday, November 24. Crossair flight 3597 had left Berlin at 21:00, with 28 passengers and a crew of five. The aircraft went down in bad weather in a wooded area about five kilometers from Zürich airport. Seven passengers and two crew members survived. Ten bodies were recovered at once. At first, it was hoped that at least some of the fourteen missing passengers might have survived and be lost in the woods, but hopes of finding them alive soon faded. Both pilots are among the dead. The aircraft was on a non-precision approach to Zürich's runway 28, the shortest of the airport's runways. A recent treaty with Germany bans most night landings at Zürich's two runways, both of which offer precision approaches, for noise abatement reasons. A Crossair ERJ-145 crew that landed ahead of the RJ100 reported picking up substantial amounts of ice during the approach, raising the possibility that icing might have played a role. Except for tentatively ruling out foul play, however, authorities have not yet reached any conclusions about the causes of the crash. Both flight recorders have been recovered. More details will be posted as they become available. This is the first fatal crash involving an Avro RJ. [2001-11-24, updated 11-26] |
BAE Systems has announced that it is ending the Avro RJX program. The four Avro RJs still in production will be completed, at which point production will cease. The move comes in response to a drastic fall-off in demand for new aircraft following the September 11 terrorist attacks. "Regrettably it has been concluded that our regional jet business is no longer viable in this environment," said BAE Systems chief executive John Weston. BAE Systems had been on the verge of securing several orders for the RJX just before September 11 -- all subsequently fell through. Still, the move comes as a surprise, given that most development costs will have been spent by now, and orders on hand are sufficient to keep production going for the better part of a year. In recent months, BAE Systems has repeatedly insisted that its low-rate production allowed the RJ and RJX programs to be profitable even with low demand. Depending on how various unfinished RJX airframes on the production line are counted, total BAe 146/Avro RJ/Avro RJX production will now come to about 395 -- not far short of the Viscount's 440 mark, which is still the highest for a British-built turbine-engined airliner. That mark will now never be broken. [2001-11-27] |
| December 2001 |
BAE Systems in RJX order bind
The Avro RJX might not have amassed a large order book, but the orders it did attract are now proving a headache for BAE Systems. The manufacturer's abrupt cancellation of the RJX program at the end of November leaves it unable to fulfill its contractual obligations with either Druk Air, who had ordered two RJX-85s, or British European, who had ordered twelve RJX-100s, with eight options. In announcing the cancellation of the RJX program, BAE Systems had indicated that it would build the fourteen RJXs on order if Druk and British European wanted them. Both airlines are now considering their options. The RJX cancellation is a particular problem for Druk, as the 146/RJ are the only jets able to operate into its home airport at Paro. Its two 146-100s, however, do not have the range to operate its key route to Bangkok non-stop, and are often weight-limited. The RJX-85 would have provided the airline with both greater capacity and greater range. No other type can offer both. The new Embraer 170 would presumably have the capability to operate into Paro, but its capacity is the same as the 146-100. For British European, the problem is also serious, though somewhat less drastic. The RJX would have been perfect for British European's London City routes, as well as its profitable charter operations into restricted airports. In the meantime, BAE Systems has resumed the RJX test program, in case either British European or Druk should decide to take delivery of the aircraft they ordered. [2001-12-09]
Low cost airline buzz is planning to add several new routes to and within France. Beginning on March 31, 2002, buzz will fly daily services from its base at London Stansted to Brest, Caen, Dijon, Bergerac, Grenoble, Limoges, Toulon-St Tropez, and Tours, and twice daily to Rouen. These routes will add to buzz's existing French destinations (Bordeaux, La Rochelle, Marseilles, Paris, Poitiers, and Toulouse), giving it the most extensive route system between the UK and France of any airline, including Air France. In another first, buzz will also offer service between several French destinations, becoming the first low-cost airline to do so. buzz's French domestic routes will include Brest-Marseilles, Bordeaux-Grenoble, Bordeaux-Toulon, and Toulouse-Grenoble. To free capacity for these services, buzz is planning to drop services to Helsinki, Milan, and Lyons. As a result, no additions to its eight-strong fleet of BAe 146s are planned at this time (buzz also operates two Boeing 737s). Like other low-cost airlines, buzz has been doing relatively well. Its bookings for November were 15% greater than last year and those for December 9% greater. [2001-12-11] |
Former BAe 146 operator British World Airlines (BWA) shut down on 13 December. British World, under its previous name of British Air Ferrries (BAF) was the first airline to operate the BAe 146 when it flew the fourth series 100, msn E1004 G-OBAF, on route proving flights for BAe during the 146's flight test program in 1982. The airline had been planning to place an order for as many as ten examples of the type, but the plan fell through. A decade later, British Air Ferries leased several BAe 146s from BAe Asset Management. The airline continued to operate 146s after changing its name to BWA in April 1993. Rising lease rates eventually forced BWA to relinquish its 146s, although it continued its relationship with the 146 by providing crews for other airlines' 146s. The most recent such arrangement proved unfortunate, however. BWA's contract to provide crews for National Jet Italia's four BAe 146-300s was one of the reasons for BWA's eventual downfall; when NJI collapsed, it left several of BWA's bills unpaid. [2001-12-15] |
Flightline picks up BWA pieces
British World's misfortune is proving a blessing for Flightline. Before its shutdown, BWA had been operating oil industry support flights between Aberdeen and Scatsta with BAe ATPs. Flightline was able to step in on short notice, putting to use several of its idle BAe 146s. Flightline positioned two BAe 146s to Aberdeen the morning following BWA's shutdown, and they immediately went into service on the Scatsta shuttle. [2001-12-15]
British Airways considers Gatwick cutbacks
British Airways is considering further cuts in its loss-making operations from London Gatwick. BA has already slashed most of its long-range routes from Gatwick; a new round of cuts would primarily affect its short-range routes, including those flown by the sixteen Avro RJ100s formerly flown by CityFlyer. CityFlyer has gradually been integrated into BA's Gatwick-based subsidiary, EOG, during the course of 2001. Although CityFlyer still remains nominally distinct, most functions have by now been integrated. CityFlyer flights use BA's "Speedbird" callsign, and almost all departures are from Gatwick's North Terminal, with only the German, Channel Islands, and Irish flights departing from the South Terminal. When the decision to merge CityFleyer into EOG was announced, almost everyone had expressed skepticism about the wisdom of merging profitable CityFlyer into unprofitable EOG, including this site. Almost everyone was right. [2001-12-20]
Rollercoaster month for DAT
December is proving a rollercoaster for Delta Air Transport (DAT)'s efforts to re-establish itself as an independent airline following the bankruptcy of parent SABENA. DAT restarted operations on November 10, with its fleet of six BAe 146-200s, fourteen Avro RJ85s, and twelve RJ100s, building up services over the next several days until it served 35 destinations. DAT had to establish a reservation and ticketing system, as these functions had previously been provided by SABENA. A series of promotions were launched in an attempt to attract passengers back. The first offered flights for as little as EUR50 per segment, the second for a higher but still generous EUR150 per roundtrip. They helped to increase load factors from a disastrous 30% to about 40% in early December -- still low, but improving. Meanwhile, a team team led by Maurice Lippens, vice chairman of the Fortis group, and Etienne Davignon, a former diplomat and European Commissioner, worked to develop a business plan for a new Belgian airline based on DAT and find the estimated EUR200-300 million in new financing needed for the task. Several Belgian companies have pledged contributions, but many have been less than enthusiastic about doing so, with some reporting feeling "bullied" into investing. A key part of the plan involved another SABENA subsidiary, Sabena Interservices Center (SIC), itself in bankruptcy proceeedings, to take equity in the new airline in lieu of payment for a EUR100 million loan. A restructuring plan for SIC which included the provision fell apart on December 13, when several creditors withdrew their support. [2001-12-20]
Continue to January 2002 news.
Home | News | News Archives | Operators | Photographs | Current Status | Registration Index
The Smiliner Website is maintained by Stefano Pagiola and is not related in any way to BAE Systems.
Copyright Stefano Pagiola unless otherwise indicated.
