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Home | News | News Archives | Operators | Photographs | Current Status
This page contains recent news items related to the BAe 146, Avro RJ, and Avro RJX regional jetliners built by BAE Systems (formerly British Aerospace), in reverse chronological order. Items older than a month are moved to the archives.
Last updated: 16 September 2009
Bolivia's Transporte Aéreo Militar (TAM) is adding another BAe 146-200, their fifth. The newest example is a former Flightline series 200, G-FLTB (msn E2024). Like the airline's other 146s, she has been acquired from lessor Tronos on a lease-purchase agreement. She had been stored at Southend since Flightline ceased operations last December. Wearing her new registration, FAB-104, she departed Southend on September 14, stopping in Reykavik and Narsassuak on her way to Sydney, Nova Scotia, where she cleared customs. After night-stopping, she will continue to Tronos' base at Summerside, where a TAM flightcrew will pick her up later this month. [2009-09-14] |
Air Dolomiti operated its last BAe 146 flight, EN8071 from Wien to Verona, on September 13. On this flight, BAe 146-300 I-ADJJ (msn E3155) replaced the regularly scheduled ATR42. I-ADJJ is the last of Air Dolomiti's once five-strong BAe 146 fleet. The airline received five Embraer 195s to replace the 146s in the spring, and the other four 146s were handed back to BAE Systems. However, I-ADJJ was retained to fly charters and cover for technical problems during the busy summer season. She was ferried to Exeter for handback maintenance on September 14. [2009-09-14] |
Interlink to operate BAe 146s
South Africa's Interlink Airlines is to operate two BAe 146-300s from Wonderboom Airport outside Pretoria to Cape Town and Durban. Services will begin on October 30. There will be two flights daily to both cities on weekdays, one in early morning and one in late afternoon. Close-in Wonderboom offers a convenient alternative to Johannesburg's Oliver Tambo International Airport for Pretoria residents, saving well over an hour in driving time -- more if traffic is heavy. Wonderboom small size also allows much faster check-in. The airport's relatively short runway and high temperatures have precluded airline services to date, however. The Tshwane City Council, which owns the airport, is spending R165.5 million (US$22 million) upgrading Wonderboom's infrastructure in preparation for the new service.
[2009-09-13]
BAe 146s for the RAF?
A day after BAE Systems announced the BAe 146M, and perhaps not coincidentally, The Times reports that the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) is considering using BAe 146s to help meet a shortfall in transport capacity resulting from delays in the Airbus A400M program. The RAF has ordered 25 A400Ms, but technical difficulties have pushed back deliveries until 2012 or 2013 at the earliest. In the meantime, the ageing Lockheed C-130 Hercules fleet has been under heavy strain due to the need to support operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The 146 freighter's 11-12.5 tonne capacity of a 146 is only about half the 20-tonne capacity of a C-130, the difference in price more than makes up for it: New Lockheed Martin C-130Js would cost about US$60-90 million apiece, whereas used BAe 146s are available for US$2-3 million in passenger configuration and about US$5 million as freighters.
[2009-09-11]
BAE Systems intends to promote the BAe 146 to the world's military as a cost-effective replacement for ageing turboprop and jet airliner transport aircraft. The company made the announcement at the Defence Services & Equipment International Exhibition (DSEI) in London. The BAe 146M could take on a wide variety of non tactical air transport roles, thereby reducing the burden and prolonging the fatigue life of tactical aircraft such as the Lockheed C-130 Hercules. The BAe 146M's shortfield performance would also allow it to undertake some of the more challenging air transport support roles, including operations from unpaved runways. BAE Systems is offering the BAe 146M in passenger, freighter, or combi configurations. A variety of options could also be fitted, including additional fuel tanks, LCD Flight deck displays, steep approach and unpaved runway capability. The BAe 146M could also be used as a platform for specialist roles such as paratroop transport, medical evacuation, forward air refueller, or general surveillance duties. With several BAe 146-200s and -300s in storage and due to come off-lease in coming years, BAE Systems is able to offer relatively short delivery timescales. BAe (as it then was) had offered a specialized military version, the BAe 146STA Small Tactical Airlifter, in the late 1980s, but failed to secure any orders. [2009-09-09] |
Second BAe 146 for Manunggal Air
Indonesia's Manunggal Air has added a second BAe 146-100, PK-VTA (msn E1015). PK-VTA was ferried to Indonesia in January 2008 in anticipation of a lease to Asian Spirit. She was left stranded, however, when that airline's new owner decided to replace the BAe 146 fleet with Airbus A320s. In Manunggal service, she will complement the airline's existing series 100, PK-VTM (msn E1009), on services within Papua Indonesia. PK-VTM departed Indopelita's facility at Pondok Cabe following a C-Check and painting into Manunggal's colors.
[2009-09-08]
BAE Systems to remarket Titan BAe 146s
Titan Airways has awarded BAE Systems a mandate to remarket three of its BAe 146 freighter variants: two series 200QC Quick Change versions, G-ZAPN (msn E2119) and G-ZAPK (msn E2148), and a series 200QT freighter, G-ZAPR (msn E2114). Titan hopes to sell one of the aircraft and replace her with a higher capacity aircraft.
[2009-09-06]
Aegean bids for subidized domestic routes
Greek Avro RJ operator Aegean Airlines submitted a bid in response to a Greek government tender for subsidized services on 24 commercially unviable routes, primarily to island destinations. Aegean's bid offered to fly from Athens and Thessaloniki to the islands of Kalymnos, Ikaria, Astypalaia, Skiathos, Skyros, Samos, Chios, Lesvos, Karpathos, and Kythera, using its Avro RJ100s and ATR72s. Aegean operates six RJ100s.
[2009-08-31]
BAE Systems' corporate BAe 146-200, G-TBAE (msn E2018) has been accompanying Eurofighter Typhoons being delivered to Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia has ordered 72 Typhoons: 24 originally built by BAE Systems for the Royal Air Force, and 48 to be assembled locally. The first two were delivered in mid-June, departing on June 24, and staging via Toulouse and Malta, and accompanied by G-TBAE. G-TBAE also accompanied the second pair to delivered, who departed on August 26. [2009-08-28] |
Comores Aviation leases BAe 146
The BAe 146 operated by Comores Aviation International is believed to be BAe 146-200 ZS-SFZ (msn E2030), on lease from South Africa's African Airline Investments. The 146 operates from the airline's base at Moroni on inter-island services and to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; Mahe, Seychelles; and Mauritius. [Additional details on BAe 146 operations in the Comores would be extremely welcome. Please contact the editor.]
[2009-08-28]
Italiatour Airlines changes routes
Italian Avro RJ operator Italiatour Airlines is modifying its network, shifting its center of gravity from Brescia to Crotone. On July 18, the airline started a four times weekly service between Crotone and Bologna. The loss-making Brescia-Roma segement of the company's initial Brescia-Roma-Crotone route will be dropped in early September, but the Crotone-Roma segment will be retained, and a separate Crotone-Brescia non-stop service will be added. The company is looking for an additional Avro RJ for its fleet.
[2009-08-23]
MDLR declines to participate in multi-airline 'strike'
Indian Avro RJ operator MDLR Airlines has announced that it would not participate in a 'strike' by private airlines on August 18, and would operate its normal schedule. The Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA) has called for airlines to suspend flights on that day to protest high jet fuel taxes and airport charges.
[2009-08-04]
Ansett Aircraft Spares & Services donated BAe 146-100 G-JEAO (msn E1010) to the de Havilland Aviation Museum at London Colney. The museum already has in its collection several examples of airlines produced by de Havilland and its successors, Hawker Siddeley and British Aerospace, including the fuselage of a DH.106 Comet and of an HS-121 Trident. The BAe 146 was the last of this lineage. E1010 was built at Hatfield in 1983 and delivered to Brazil's TABA late that year. She subsequently flew for Royal West Airlines in the USA, and for Air Nova and AirBC in Canada before returning to the UK in 1989. She has since flown for Air UK and Jersey European. She was finally flown into storage at Filton in January 2003. The fuselage was delivered to the Museum by road on July 27, and the wings and tail will follow. With the support of Ansett Aircraft Spares & Service the museum plans to return E1010 to a high static standard for exhibit. [2009-08-01] |
Second BAe 146 for Mahan Air
Iranian airline Mahan Air has added a second former China Eastern BAe 146. Series 300 EX-27001 (msn E3212 ex B-2712) was delivered through Iranshahr on July 1, wearing Mahan Air's logo but without titles. She had been stored at Nanjing since 2005.
[2009-07-29]
Star Perú has put into service its first BAe 146-300, OB-1914-P (msn E3181 ex G-JEBA). OB-1914-P received its certification from the Peruvian civil aviation authority on July 24, and operated her first service the following day, on the Lima-Tarapoto-Iquitos route. She joins Star Perú's two series 100s and single series 200. Star Peru has also acquired a second former Flybe series 300, G-JEBB (msn E3185). She departed Exeter on her ferry flight to Peru on July 28. The airline has also purchased series 200 G-CCJP (msn E2066) from BAE Systems (Operations) for spares recovery. She was broken up at Kemble on May 23 and 24. [2009-07-29] |
Maltese airline Efly is struggling to obtain a licence so that it can begin operations. Its first BAe 146-300, 9H-ELE (msn E3209), is ready to fly, having arrived at Malta in mid-June and then having had the airline's titles and logo applied. The airline has also secured JAR-145 and CAMO maintenance licences. However, Malta's Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) has still not issued the airline the necessary operating licence. Although the DCA has stated merely that the airline has not yet completed the necessary requirements, many suspect that the airline's CEO, Luigi Crispino, was the primary obstacle. Crispino is a controversial figure in some quarters, having been investigated for fraud over the failure of a previous airline venture, Air Sicilia. Accordingly, on July 10 Crispino announced that he was resigning as CEO "in the best interest of the airline." Efly is positioning itself as a 'luxury' low-cost airline. In addition to charters, the airline has applied to operate the Malta-Gatwick and Malta-Catania-Gatwick routes that British Airways is abandoning. [2009-07-25] |
Mistral Air ends BAe 146 operations
Italian airline Mistral Air ended BAe 146 operations when she withdrew her second BAe 146-200QT freighter from service in mid July. I-MSAA (msn E2109) was ferried to Norwich on July 18, joining sistership I-TNTC (msn E2078) in storage. Both are for sale. Mistral Air had been the oldest BAe 146 operator, having taken delivery of I-TNTC in late 1987, for operation on behalf of TNT. In 1994 and 1995, the airline experimented with passenger operations, leasing series 100 G-BVLJ (msn E1160) and series 300 G-BUHB (msn E3183) for brief periods. The airline's second freighter was added in 2000, initially as I-TPGS before being re-registered I-MSAA in 2002.
[2009-07-20]
Due to the end of its SAS contract and the weakness of the current charter market, Atlantic Airways has returned BAe 146-200 OY-RCW (msn E2115) off-lease to BAE Systems. After hand-back maintenance by Malmö Aviation in Malmö, she was ferried to Kemble on June 18. She has since reverted to her previous UK registration, G-BRXT. She had been flying for Atlantic Airways since April 2005. Atlantic Airways still operates two other BAe 146-200s, along with two Avro RJ85s and two RJ100s. [2009-07-20] |
Carlos Santana tours on Avro RJ70
Musician Carlos Santana chartered TIM's VIP-configured Avro RJ70, LZ-TIM (msn E1258) for his summer tour of Europe, Santana Tour '09. LZ-TIM departed Sofia on July 5 to pick up Santana and his party at Istambul. She then carried him across Europe for a tight schedule of concerts in Romania, Turkey, Greece, Macedonia, Serbia, Croatia, Italy, Austria, and Germany.
[2009-07-15]
Albanian BAe 146 to fly in Kenya
Albanian Airlines has announced that it will operate their BAe 146-100, ZA-MAK (msn E1085), on an ACMI lease on behalf of Kenya's Jetlink Express for six months beginning in late July. The 146 will substitute for Jetlink Express' Bombardier CRJ200 on services from Nairobi to Kisumu, near Lake Victoria. Runway work at Kisumu is limiting the available length, precluding the use of the CRJ200 but posing no problems for the 146. Jetlink Express will be the first Kenyan operator of the BAe 146.
[2009-07-15]
Titan Airways buys Snowjet
Titan Airways acquired the Satellite Travel Group, parent of ski flight operator Snowjet. Titan plans to operate several aircraft in Snowjet colors this winter, with BAe 146s operating direct flights from London Stansted to Alpine airports such as Chambéry and Sion. Flights to Sion will operate twice a week, on Saturdays and Sundays. By flying into Sion, passengers headed for resorts such as Crans Montana or Verbier will save several hours of travel time compared to Genève.
[2009-07-15]
Aviastar acquires a second BAe 146
Indonesia's Aviastar Mandiri has acquired a BAe 146-200 from BAE Systems Asset Management. The new aircraft, former Jazz series 200 C-GRNU (msn E2139), will be delivered later this month. The 146 will replace BAe 146-300 PK-BRD (msn E3189), who crashed on April 9 near Wamena, in Papua Indonesia. BAE Systems announced the sale together with that of the former Linus Airways series 200 PK-LNI (msn E2204) to PT Nusantara Air Charter (NAC).
[2009-07-04]
Comores Aviation BAe 146 aids in search for crashed Yemenia A310
A BAe 146 operated by Comores Aviation International participated in the search for the Yemenia Airbus A310 that crashed off Moroni on June 29. The 146's crew located debris from the crashed aircraft at 7:00 am the following morning, helping to narrow further searches. The 146 is believed to be on lease from South Africa's African Airline Investments, an off-shoot of Allegiance Air, and to have been operated by Comores Aviation since late 2008. [Additional details on BAe 146 operations in the Comores would be extremely welcome. Please contact the editor.]
[2009-07-02]
Syria holds Orionair BAe 146
The Syrian government is preventing Orionair from recovering BAe 146-300 EC-JVO (msn E3179). The 146 had been flown to Syria in early May for operation on behalf of new airline Syrian Pearl, beginning operations on May 4. On May 7, however, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) of the US Department of Commerce issued a Temporary Denial Order (TDO) deeming the lease to be a "re-export" in violation of a trade embargo imposed on the country. As a result of the US action, BAE Systems, Flybe (which was preparing EC-JVJ for service in Syria), and others were forced to withdraw support from Orionair to avoid falling foul of the same restrictions. The Syrian government, however, is insisting that Orionair fulfill its contract and is refusing it permission to recover the 146. For a time, Orionair's crews were also prevented from leaving. Following the intervention of the Spanish Foreign Ministry, they were finally allowed to depart in mid June. The unfortunate EC-JVO, however, remains blocked at Damascus Airport.
[2009-07-01]
Second Eurowings BAe 146 handed back
Lufthansa subsidiary Eurowings continues to hand back its BAe 146s off-lease to BAE Systems. The second to leave the fleet, series 300 D-AEWP (msn E3165), was ferried from Nüremberg to Exeter on June 22 for hand-back maintenance by Flybe.
[2009-06-25]
Lufthansa takeover of Brussels Airlines approved
The European Commission approved Lufthansa's acquisition of Brussels Airlines on June 22. Lufthansa is to buy a 45% stake in Brussels Airlines parent company SN Airholding SA/NV for EUR65 million, with an option to acquire the remaining 55% in 2011. The approval is conditional upon the implementation of a set of remedies to alleviate the Commission's concern that competition would be restricted on several routes. Under these remedies, Lufthansa will make available slots for new entrants wishing to operate those routes.
[2009-06-23]
Lufthansa CityLine marks 50th anniversary
CityLine is marking its 50th anniversary with special markings on its aircraft. The airline operated its first service, as Ostfriesische Lufttaxi (OLT), on June 17, 1959. It began scheduled regional services in 1974 under the name DLT Luftverkehrsgesellschaft. In 1978, it began cooperating with Lufthansa, a process which increased over time so that by 1988 all the airline's operations were on behalf of Lufthansa. Lufthansa took a majority stake in 1989, and eventually acquired the entire airline, which was renamed Lufthansa CityLine in 1992. Avro RJ85s were added in 1994, and the fleet was gradually built up to the current 18 examples.
[2009-06-20]
Mistral Air withdraws its BAe 146s
Italian airline Mistral Air withdrew one of its two BAe 146-200QT freighters from service in mid June. I-TNTC (msn E2078) was ferried to Norwich on June 16 and placed in storage. She is advertised for sale. Mistral Air took delivery of I-TNTC in late 1987, making her almost 22 years of service the longest of any 146 with the same airline. Mistral's second 146QT, I-MSAA (msn E2109) is due to be withdrawn from service next month. The 146QTs are being replaced with ATR42 freighters.
[2009-06-19]
The first BAe 146-300 for new Maltese airline Efly, former Flybe 9H-ELE (msn E3209 ex G-JEBG) was ferried from Exeter to Malta on June 17. She was still wearing the basic red and black colors of the promotional scheme for Mansion that she wore during her last months with Flybe. [2009-06-18] |
Damaged BA CityFlyer Avro RJ100 written off
Following a lengthy dispute between BAE Systems and its insurance company, a decision has been made to break up Avro RJ100 G-BXAR (msn E3298). She was damaged in a landing accident at London City on February 13 while operating for BA CityFlyer. A scaffolding has been erected around the aircraft to allow parts to be removed.
[2009-06-15]
Club Air declared bankrupt
Italian airline Club Air was formally declared bankrupt by a tribunal in Milano on June 3. The airline was operating an Avro RJ70 and an RJ85 when its licence was withdrawn by the Italian civil aviation authority, ENAC, in May 2008 because of of its continued financial and organizational troubles, its failure to meet a variety of regulatory requirements, and its inadequate treatment of passenger and suppliers. Since then, RJ85 I-CLBA (msn E2300) has found a new home with Italiatour Airlines. Sistership RJ70 I-FASI (msn E1160) was to have joined her, but technical problems and Club Air's legal travails prevented it. She remains parked at Verona's Villafranca Airport.
[2009-06-11]
The fuselage of former Air Wisconsin BAe 146-200 N607AW (msn E2052) will be used to test the airtanker system that will eventually be fitted to E2111 by Minden. E2052 had been broken up at Summerside by lessor Tronos in late 2006. The fuselage had then been used in Tronos' own airtanker project, but that project was eventually abandoned. E2052's fuselage arrived at Toronto's Pearson Airport at the end of April. [2009-06-08] |
Former Linus Airways BAe 146-200 PK-LNI (msn E2204) is being prepared for delivery to PT Nusantara Air Charter (NAC) as PK-JKW by Indopelita. PK-LNI has been stored at Indopelita's facility at Pondok Cabe since Linus ended operations in late April. She will be operated in a VIP configuration for the airline's owner, with 12 business class and 68 economy seats. Nusantara also recently acquired a BAe 146-200QT freighter, PK-JKC (msn E2113), for operation in Papua Indonesia. [2009-06-06] |
Linus Airways licence revoked
Indonesia's Directorate General of Air Transportation (Dephub) has revoked the licence of BAe 146 operator Linus Airways. Linus had suspended operations on April 27 as a result of financial difficulties. Under Indonesian regulations, airlines may only suspend operations for a maximum of 30 days. The airline has been negotiating with new investors to enable services to resume, but has so far failed to secure new financing. National airline Garuda was reportedly interested in acquiring Linus so as to obtain a certificate for its own CitiLink division. Linus' two BAe 146-200s, PK-LNI (msn E2204) and PK-LNJ (msn E2210), are currently at Indopelita's facilty at Pondok Cabe.
[2009-06-05]
BAE Systems Asset Management has arranged the placement of BAe 146-200QT SE-DRN (msn E2113) to Indonesia's PT Nusantara Air Charter (NAC). SE-DRN had previously been operated by Malmö Aviation on behalf of West Air Sweden. BAE Systems Asset Management won a contract to remarket the aircraft on behalf of her owner, Erik Thun AB. She departed Exeter on her delivery flight on June 4, still wearing her Swedish registration as all Indonesian-registered aircraft are banned from European skies. She is due to become PK-JKC. Nusantara is planning to base her at Jayapura, in Papua Indonesia. [2009-06-05] |
Gainjet to operate VIP-configured BAe 146
Athens-based Gainjet Aviation will offer Casino Rodos new VIP-configured BAe 146, SX-BJI (msn E2079, ex G-MIMA), for executive charters. The 146 will complement Gainjet's existing fleet, which includes a Boeing 757, a McDonnell Douglas MD-83, a Gulfstream G550 and seven G200s, all with VIP interiors. SX-BJI has been at Stansted for some time now, to have her corporate interior fitted.
[2009-06-01]
Atlantic Airways' contract to operate three BAe 146s on behalf of SAS expired at the end of May. The contract had been signed in February 2008, extending and expanding an earlier contract under which two 146s had been flown on SAS' behalf. One of the 146s released from SAS flying, series 200 OY-RCE (msn E2233), has since operated several flights on behalf of BA CityFlyer from London City. [2009-06-01] |
BA CityFlyer begins to return its Avro RJ100s
BA CityFlyer began the process of replacing its fleet of Avro RJ85s and RJ100s with Embraer 170s and 190s by ferrying RJ100 G-BZAW (msn E3354) to Exeter for hand-back maintenance, prior to being returned off-lease to BAE Systems Regional Aircraft. She arrived at Exeter on May 30. G-BZAW's departure further reduces capacity at the airline, already strained by the loss of Flightline's two BAe 146s and the accident to G-BXAR (msn E3298) on February 13. Although the first Embraer E-Jet is not due to arrive until September, the airline preferred to reduce services rather than retaining G-BZAW -- and is blaming the accident to G-BXAR for the resulting cutbacks. Services between Edinburgh and London City will be cut from from eight to six, and the airline is looking to shed about 25 staff members.
[2009-05-31]
English football team Manchester United hitched a ride on BAe 146-200QC G-ZAPN (msn E2119) of Titan Airways to play the Champions League final against Barcelona in Roma. Titan's 146 delivered them to Roma Fiumicino on the evening of May 26. Late the next day, she brought back a dejected team that had been defeated 2-0. [2009-05-29] |
One of the oldest BAe 146s, VH-NJA (msn E1004), was broken up at Adelaide on May 27. In her long life since her first flight on August 29, 1982, she had been operated by British Air Ferries (on route proving flights), the Royal Air Force, Dan-Air London, Manx, Debonair, and National Jet Systems, as well as on short leases by SATA Air Açores, Hamburg Airlines, CityJet, and Merpati Nusantara. She had also been used by BAe for two demonstration tours, one to Africa in 1983 and one to the Middle East in 1987. She had been in storage at Adelaide since August 2008, and used as a spares source. [2009-05-29] |
US Government objects to Syrian Pearl lease
The US government has formally objected to Orionair's lease of two BAe 146s to Syrian airline Syrian Pearl, deeming it to be a "re-export" in violation of a trade embargo imposed on the country. On May 7, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) of the US Department of Commerce issued a Temporary Denial Order (TDO) forbidding the lease. Although the BAe 146 is British-built and Orionair is a Spanish airline, the US claims jurisdiction because the aircraft's engines, APU, and EFIS are US-built. Orionair argued, to no avail, that its arrangement with Syrian Pearl was a standard ACMI lease, and not a "re-export". The US action means that others, such as BAE Systems, would withdraw support from Orionair, as US law considers anyone assisting someone subject to a TDO to be themselves in violation of export restrictions. Orionair had planned to operate its two BAe 146-300s on behalf of Syrian Pearl. The first, EC-JVO (msn E3179), is already in Syria, where she began operations on May 4. Sistership EC-JVJ (msn E3195) is currently at Exeter and was to have joined her soon.
[2009-05-27]
Greece's Astra Airlines has leased former Air Dolomiti BAe 146-300 I-ADJF (msn E3193) from BAE Systems Regional Aircraft as SX-DIX. She was ferried from Southend to Thessaloniki on May 20, still wearing basic Air Dolomiti colors with no titles. She is configured in a 99-seat all economy class layout and will operate charter flights from Thessaloniki's Makedonia Airport, as well as a planned scheduled service to Kiev. Astra has borrowed crews from Malmö Aviation to fly her. The airline's original BAe 146-300, SX-DIZ (msn E3206), is based at Athens, operating to Larnaca on behalf of Olympic Airlines. She will also be used on a new contract to operate services to Thessaloniki and Chios on behalf of Athens Airways. [2009-05-21] |
Bolivia's Transporte Aéreo Militar (TAM) has added former CityJet BAe 146-200 EI-DJJ (msn E2040) from lessor Tronos on a lease-purchase agreement as FAB-103. She departed Summerside on May 5, stopping at Norfolk/Chambers on her way to Opa Locka. She then departed on May 7, stopping in Panama City and Lima before arriving in La Paz that evening. After being painted in TAM's colors, she was formally greeted at a ceremony at El Alto airport on May 13, during which she flew a pass over the airport, escorted by two Lockheed T-33s, with President Evo Morales, the Vice-President, the Minister of Defence, the Foreign Minister, and the entire High Command on board. In their coverage of the event, the local press helpfully pointed out that she had been manufactured in Canada. TAM already operates three other series 200s, and has a series 100 which it uses as a spares source. The airline links 21 destinations within Bolivia; the addition of FAB-103 will allow it to increase services to Sucre, Tarija, and Trinidad. South America is the fourth continent on which E2040 has operated. She began her working life in the USA, having been built for PSA as N357PS in 1985, then returned to the United Kingdom for a spell with Debonair, before journeying on to Australia in 2000, where she flew for Southern Australia and National Jet Systems. She then returned to Europe and flew for CityJet from 2005 to 2008. [2009-05-16] |
BAE Systems Regional Aircraft exhibited Avro RJ70 LZ-TIM (msn E1258) at the European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (EBACE) show in Genève, in an effort to promote its Avro Business Jet (ABJ) program. LZ-TIM is operated by Varna-based industrial group TIM, parent of BAe 146 operator Hemus Air, and features an interior designed by UK consultancy Design Q. BSRA stresses the low acquisition cost and the large cabin as the ABJ's main attractions, along with its short-field performance. [2009-05-12] |
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