22 Oct 2009 | Ref. 201/2009
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BAe 146 South Africa
Hatfield, United Kingdom - South African aviation charter company Bionic Aviation CC/FLANA Pty Ltd has bought a BAe 146-300 regional jetliner from BAE Systems Regional Aircraft. The aircraft will be used for passenger charter work from South Africa to neighbouring countries.
Delivery of the aircraft took place this week and it is now being ferried to the company’s base at Lanseria International Airport, Johannesburg.
Announcing this latest deal at the Airlines Association of Southern Airlines (AASA) Annual General Meeting in Kleinmond, Western Cape, South Africa, Mr Nigel Benson, Director Sales and Marketing for Sub-Saharan Africa for BAE Systems Regional Aircraft said:
“Strong interest in the BAe 146 and Avro RJ family is being shown from African airlines and operators right across the Continent.
“The sale of this aircraft to our new customer underlines the growing success and acceptability of the BAe 146/Avro RJ family for the African market. It brings the number of African operators of the BAe 146/Avro RJ to eight with over 20 aircraft in operation, and given the aircraft’s low acquisition cost and excellent airfield performance, we are confident that more will follow soon.”
In addition to Bionic Aviation/FLANA, South African operators of the type include SA Airlink, Allegiance Air and African Airlines Investments. Elsewhere in Africa, the BAe 146/Avro RJ is operated by Air Congo International (Republic of Congo), Air Libya, Comores Aviation International (Comores Islands) and Jet-Link Express in Kenya.
Established in 2006 as a maintenance, repair and overhaul management, parts supply, avionics upgrades, charter and cargo logistics company, Bionic Aviation also carries out occasional charter services using wet leased aircraft.
In addition to its maintenance and charter activities, Bionic Aviation provides aircraft sales and outsourcing, ground handling for corporate flights and cargo logistics, clearing and forwarding at O.R Tambo International Airport and complete aircraft refurbishments through Bionic Aviation Refurbishment Centre based at Lanseria International Airport
About BAE Systems
BAE Systems is the premier global defence, security and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. With approximately 105,000 employees worldwide, BAE Systems' sales exceeded £18.5 billion (US $34.4 billion) in 2008.
For further information contact:
David Dorman, BAE Systems
Tel: +44 (0) 1582 488336 Fax: +44 (0) 1582 488447
david@dorwaypr.co.uk
Mike Dennehy, BAE Systems
Tel: +44 (0) 1252 384782 Mobile: +44 (0) 7793427132
michael.dennehy@baesystems.com
Issued by:
BAE Systems, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 6YU, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1252 384605 Fax: +44 (0) 1252 383947;
24hr media hotline: + 44 (0) 7801 717739
