24 Apr 2001
Ref: 058/2001
Albanian Airlines has commenced a fleet upgrade programme with the acquisition of a BAe 146-200 (E2054) from the Trading and Services business of BAE Systems Aircraft Services Group.
As the flag carrier for its nation, Albanian Airlines operates a fleet of three Tupolev Tu-134A and one Tu-134B on scheduled international passenger operations linking the capital Tirana with Bologna, Frankfurt, Istanbul, Pristina, Rome and Zurich. The aircraft are wet-leased from Hemus Air of Bulgaria, who also provide the Air Operators Certificate.
The M.A. Kharafi Group of Kuwait, one of the largest foreign investors in the Albanian market, acquired Albanian Airlines in 1995 and got it flying again in the same year. Since then, the airline has been constantly expanding and improving passenger services as well as adding new destinations to its route network.
It is the age of the current Russian-designed aircraft and Stage 2 noise operating restrictions at Frankfurt and other West European airports that has led Albanian Airlines to seek more modern and environmentally acceptable equipment.
The Managing Director of the airline, said: "We first identified the BAe 146 as the ideal replacement for our current fleet about one year ago and have been in discussion with BAE Systems since then to earmark the right aircraft for our needs. With air traffic to and from Tirana increasing as Albania's regeneration gathers momentum, we clearly needed a modern airliner that would attract passengers for us and generate hard cash".
Delivery of the BAe 146 to Albanian Airlines will take place in May following a 'C' maintenance check and customisation that is currently being carried out by British European at Exeter in the UK. The aircraft will be configured in a 96-seat layout with six-abreast configuration, providing a useful increase in capacity over the 76 seats of the Tu-134s. The BAe 146 will be operated and maintained by Hemus Air crews under contract to Albanian Airlines, following their training in the UK and Albania.
Paul Stirling, Senior Vice President Asset Management Jets and Support Solutions says the Albanian Airlines deal is the start of a plan to increase the company's penetration into the Eastern European market.
He added: "We are delighted to have won this exciting new business from Albanian Airlines. As the air travel market in Eastern Europe expands, airlines in the region will need to acquire more modern jet equipment to be able to serve lucrative Western European destinations. The BAe 146 provides an affordable, cost-effective, and environmentally acceptable solution with an aircraft that will meet even the most stringent of the future proposed ICAO Chapter 4 noise regulations."
