CHANNEL EXPRESS has been forced to ground the An-72 cargo aircraft it has been flying under a dispensation from the Department for Transport due to exceptional circumstances - unforeseen issues surrounding the modification of the Rolls Royce Dart engines equipping the Channel Express Fokker F27 fleet. Earlier last week an Enimex An 28 (a variation on the Shorts 300 theme) crashed on take-off from Tallinn for the short flight to Helsinki. Two of the three crew members were killed. The Estonian authorities were quick to suspend the Enimex
AOC, therefore nullifying the UK An 72 operation. Commentators are concerned that expansion of the European Community will open up both the passenger and cargo market to carriers whose monitoring might not meet the standards set by the JAA. The instantly recognisable An-72 is unique with its engines mounted above the wing.
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