BAE Systems Regional Aircraft stated that its lease portfolio and support businesses remained strong in 2008, despite the difficult economic climate. During 2008 the Asset Management team of Regional Aircraft placed 75 aircraft through new leases, extensions with existing customers and sales.
The Avro RJ portfolio remained strong in Europe, but is also finding favour in developing markets, while the BAe 146 operator base is diversifying with nine new operators added in 2008. There was renewed interest in the ATP as a passenger aircraft, but 80% of the global fleet has now been converted to freighter configuration. The Jetstream portfolio registered a zero idle fleet in 2008 and availability is expected to remain limited in the future.
Regional Aircraft’s support businesses covering continuing spares sales, ‘rate per flight hour’ contracts and modifications contracts also performed well. During the year, 17 more aircraft were added to the ‘rate per flight hour’ programmes and 50 aircraft had their contract terms extended – a strong vote of confidence in the offering from Regional Aircraft. Customers doing new business during the year included SA Airlink, Malm
