24 Nov 2006
BAE Systems Regional Aircraft has leased a further five ATP turboprop freighters to leading operator of the type West Air Sweden.
This major new lease comes only six months after Regional Aircraft leased an additional two ATPFs to the cargo carrier, which has also since expanded its fleet further with the acquisition from Sun-Air of Denmark and BA Connect of the UK of a further eight ATPs.
When deliveries are complete, West Air Sweden will have a fleet of 28 ATPFs - a dramatic expansion since the beginning of the year - and required to fulfil a significant new contract from the Norwegian Post Office as well as the decision by the Swedish Post office to consolidate all West Air Sweden operations on to the ATPF. In addition, the airline continues to operate the aircraft on behalf of the major integrators for their European operations.
Gustaf Thureborn, Chief Executive of West Air Sweden said today: “ The ATPF has demonstrated its suitability as a platform to become a successful regional freighter, and we have therefore built up our fleet to become the largest operator of the type. We look forward to continuing to develop the aircraft in co-operation with BAE Systems, to ensure that it meets and exceeds our customers’ high expectations from a reliability and cost of operation standpoint.”
Alan Fraser, Managing Director of BAE Systems Regional Aircraft added: “ Our relationship with West Air Sweden on the ATP started several years ago with the joint agreement to develop and certify a Service Bulletin to incorporate a Large Freight Door in the aircraft. We look forward to continuing to support the airline with its expanded fleet and to meet their customers’ expectations through a strong on-going relationship over the coming years.”
The first of the five new leased ATPFs (2053) will be delivered to the airline in mid-December, with further deliveries in February (2037), March (2011), April (2005) and May (2006).
Three of the aircraft (2005, 2006 2011) will be equipped with Large Freight Doors (LFD) installed by the ATPF freight conversion centre at Romaero, in Baneasa, near Bucharest, Romania. The remaining two aircraft will have their LFDs retrofitted at Romaero during the second half of 2007.
This further order for five more ATPFs ensures that 2006 will be a record-breaking year for the BAE Systems freighter programme. So far this year Regional Aircraft has placed 15 ATPFs with customers in India, the Netherlands and the UK in addition to West Air Sweden.
The number of freighter conversions of the ATP in service or scheduled for delivery now rises to 40 (17 of which are LFD-equipped), indicating the growing success of this programme, particularly in Europe where it has emerged as the dominant 8-tonne regional turboprop freighter.
About BAE Systems
BAE Systems is the premier transatlantic defence and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions and customer support services. With 86,000 employees worldwide, BAE Systems’ sales exceeded GB£15.4 billion (US$28 billion) in 2005.
For further information contact:
David Dorman, BAE Systems
Tel: +44 (0)1582 488336 Fax: +44 (0)1582 488447
ddaviddorman@aol.com
Issued by::
BAE Systems, Farnborough, Hampshire, GU14 6YU, UK
Tel: +44 (1252) 38 4719 Fax: +44 (1252) 383947
www.baesystems.com
