09 Jan 2002
BAE Systems Aviation Services, Air Contractors (Ireland) Ltd and Safair have agreed to jointly market two Airbus A300B4 freighters due to be converted during 2002.
Through this agreement BAE Systems Aviation Services, Air Contractors and Safair will jointly provide a sales and marketing team to offer the aircraft for sale, dry lease or wet lease.
Aviation Services is currently the world leader in Airbus A300B4 freighter conversions and has developed a totally integrated on-ramp freighter package - including aircraft, freighter conversion, maintenance and training to be performed at its facilities in Filton, Bristol, UK.
Cliff Duke, Managing Director of BAE Systems Aviation Services said: "We have now converted 39 A300B4 aircraft into cargo configuration and are using our experience in structural modifications and repairs of these aircraft to offer converted aircraft as an on-ramp solution"
Air Contractors is one of the world's largest operators and wet lessors of A300B4 freighters, currently operating eight A300B4, six 727 freighters and two Lockheed Hercules freighters. In addition to traditional wet leasing, Air Contractors can also provide or assist with complete operational infrastructure including assisting with setting up traffic rights, operating certificates, pilot training and scheduling. Engineering, spares and maintenance support can be provided in conjunction with BAE Systems Total Maintenance Support Solutions (TMSS) programme.
Safair specialises in 'value added' leasing and chartering of passenger and cargo aircraft to domestic and international operators. Based in South Africa, Safair has a vast amount of experience in setting up operations in countries all over the world.
Duke added: "We are delighted to be working with Air Contractors and Safair on this project and look forward to a long relationship; this agreement reinforces a continued confidence in the A300B4 conversion programme".
