BAE Systems Regional Aircraft signs long-term spares support agreements with six key vendors on BAe 146/Avro RJ regional jetliner

BAE Systems Regional Aircraft has signed long-term spares support agreements with six key vendors on the BAe 146/Avro RJ regional jetliner. The agreements cover fixed price repair and overhauls for a total of nearly 340 different parts covering hydraulic and mechanical components, cabin oxygen cylinders/valves, flap electronic control unit and printed circuit boards and a range of avionics components. The vendors are AEM Limited, Eaton Aerospace, Oakenhurst Aircraft Services, Ontic Engineering & Manufacturing, Ultra Electronics Controls, and Honeywell. Building on these agreements BAE Systems will start a drive to increase the range of parts on the aircraft to be covered under similar fixed price repair and overhaul agreements. Currently some 230 BAe 146/Avro RJs are in active service worldwide (and a further 50 aircraft in storage programmes) with 61 operators in a variety of roles including, traditionally, as airliners, freighters, corporate shuttle and VIP aircraft, but also as military transports, airtankers (aerial waterbombers) and research and test/development aircraft. Some operators state they will keep the aircraft in service for at least the next 20 years.