02 Oct 2003
BAE Systems Regional Aircraft has signed an agreement with West Air Sweden for the long lease of a further ATP (msn 2041). This aircraft is currently undergoing conversion at Romaeros Baneasa facility near Bucharest into a Large Freight Door (LFD) freighter and will be delivered to the cargo airline in the first quarter of 2004.
In addition, West Air Sweden has agreed to extend the current lease of another ATP (msn 2043) which it currently operates in the passenger charter market in Sweden. This aircraft will be flown to Romaero early in 2004 where it too will be converted into a LFD aircraft for delivery to West Air Sweden in the second quarter of the year. The new lease is also for a long-term.
Regional Aircraft has also negotiated purchase options with West Air Sweden for both of these aircraft at the end of the lease terms.
The addition of this extra ATP will bring West Air Swedens ATP fleet to 12 aircraft. Currently nine of these are operating with a flexible E-Class configuration either on internal routes for the Swedish Post Office, or on behalf of the major integrators on routes throughout Europe. The airline also operates nine BAe 748 turboprop freighters.
One aircraft the first to be converted with the Large Freight Door is operated on a 120-hours/month schedule in Scandinavia on behalf of one of the integrators. It is the success of this operation, and particularly the reliability of the ATP, together with the growing requirement for containerised freight, that has led the airline to acquire/convert two more ATPs into LFD configuration.
The ATPF is a true 8-tonne plus freighter, capable of carrying eight LD3 containers or six LD4s when fitted with the Large Freight Door, or bulk loading of up to eight tonnes when configured with an E-Class compartment. The ATP freighter, with its large freight door, offers unrivalled economics in its class through a combination of low operating costs together with conversions priced to meet market needs. As a consequence, the ATPF has the right economics to ensure competitive cargo contract bids, good profit margins and to successfully complement and ultimately replace first-generation 4-6 tonne turboprop freighters.
About BAE SYSTEMS Regional Aircraft:
BAE Systems Regional Aircraft is responsible for Customer Support, Engineering and Asset Management activities covering a world-wide base of 160 customers operating over 1,100 aircraft in addition to managing a trading and leasing portfolio of some 350 aircraft.
About BAE SYSTEMS:
BAE Systems is an international company engaged in the development, delivery and support of advanced defence and aerospace systems in the air, on land, at sea and in space. The company designs, manufacturers and supports military aircraft, surface ships, submarines, radar, avionics, communications, electronics and guided-weapon systems. It is a pioneer in technology with a heritage stretching back hundreds of years. It is at the forefront of innovation, working to develop the next generation of intelligent defence systems.
BAE Systems has major operations across five continents and customers in some 130 countries. The company has more than 90,000 people and generates annual sales of approximately 12 billion through its wholly-owned and joint venture operations.
BAE Systems, innovating for a safe world.
