15 Feb 2001
Ref: 022/2001
BAE Systems has signed up its first North American Jetstream 41 customer for a Material And Component Repair and Overhaul (MACRO) programme. The United Express Atlantic Coast Airlines 32-strong Jetstream 41 fleet will be covered by MACRO this month.
The MACRO programme is designed to provide operators with a fixed maintenance cost that includes comprehensive spares support for a single fixed rate per aircraft flight hour. Manx/British Regional Airlines – which operates 13 J41 aircraft - was the first European customer to sign up for the MACRO programme.
Offering complete coverage on 56 Jetstream 32s with eight customers and 36 ATPs with three operators, MACRO was launched in October 1996 with Corporate Airlines of Nashville, Tennessee, in the USA. To date, the programme has collected more than 250,000 flight hours.
MACRO removes the financial risk associated with engine overhauls and eliminates the initial cash outlay normally associated with aircraft acquisitions. The fixed hourly cost includes airframe rotable parts, engines, propellers and landing gear. Each agreement is tailored to meet the individual needs of every customer.
MACRO was designed by BAE Systems as a spin-off of the highly successful Jetstream Cost Advantage Programme (JCAP) and Jetspares programmes offered in support of the BAe 146/RJ aircraft. Currently there are 101 aircraft flying under the Jetspares programme, supporting 11 operators worldwide.
“This MACRO contract with Atlantic Coast Airlines is significant as it provides further evidence of the cost competitiveness of our MACRO programme, said Vice President Spares Operations, Graham Smith. “We are pleased to now offer our customers full internet power-by-the-hour ordering capability for both the MACRO and Jetspares programmes. Customers can now inquire about the status of various parts using the speed of the internet, and have the satisfaction of a fixed hourly cost for their Jetstream fleet,” he added
Tom Moore, Atlantic Coast President and Chief Operating Office, said: “We appreciate the customer focused approach BAE Systems has taken in the design of the MACRO programme. We expect the new programme will help us operate our J41 fleet more efficiently, which will ultimately benefit our customers, airline partners and our employees as well.”
