BAE Systems, the former BAe, which claims to be the largest aircraft leasing company, concentrating solely on regional and commuter aircraft, has secured business across all portfolios worth nearly $350m (”178m) during 2006.
Announcing this figure, Alan Fraser (pictured), managing director of this division stated, ”Despite a challenging market place regional aircraft continues to perform well to bring in new business worth $350m (”178m). Our aircraft continue to find favour with new customers, while we have been successful in retaining key operators for the longer term and increasing their fleets. We are also entering new markets to extend the product life cycle as part of our pro-active portfolio management.”
”All of these factors emphasise the continuing relevance of our products and underscore the importance of our sustained investment across the board to keep them competitive. Our support business is now very robust and growing strongly with sales increases across all sectors. But we are not complacent and we will continue to drive the business forward to serve our existing and new customers well for the long term.”
During 2006 regional aircraft secured lease transactions on its BAe 146/Avro RJ (pictured right) and ATP portfolios involving 81 aircraft, business worth $185m
(”94m) while the Jetstream 32 (pictured above) and 41 portfolios showed 50 sales and leases, worth a further $24m (”12m).
Also during the year Regional Aircraft customised and re-delivered 27 BAe 146/Avro RJ, ATP and Jetstream 41 aircraft through 12 different completion centres.