BAE Systems Regional Aircraft has leased a BAe 146-100 to Air Botswana. The aircraft, (msn E1160), was delivered in mid-December and becomes the second Series 100 in the airline’s fleet.
Air Botswana has been an established BAe 146 operator since November 1989 when it took delivery of its first BAe 146-100. This aircraft is operated on routes from the capital Gaborone, principally to Johannesburg in South Africa, and also to Maun in the north of the country.
The second BAe 146 - which operated from new for a while with the airline in the early 1990s – is going to be used by Air Botswana to increase jet service frequency from Maun in order to cater for tourist traffic growth. Known as the ‘Gateway to the Okavango’, Maun is an important destination for the inland delta and high-quality safari lodges and is ideally suited to the BAe 146 because of its high altitude and short runway length
From Maun, the BAe 146 will be used to operate additional frequencies to Cape Town and Johannesburg. In the future the airline also plans to use the aircraft on international scheduled services from Gaborone to Harare, Nairobi and Luanda, which suits the long-range capability of this particular aircraft.
In addition to the lease agreement Air Botswana has also concluded a JetSpares, ‘spares by the hour’ support agreement with Regional Aircraft covering both BAe 146s.
JetSpares is an individually customised support programme, designed to allow an airline to concentrate on its operations while BAE Systems takes care of spares inventory, logistics and repairs. The priority is to keep the airline’s business running smoothly by providing a first-class support serviced at a fixed monthly cost.
About BAE SYSTEMS Regional Aircraft
BAE Systems Regional Aircraft is responsible for Customer Support, Engineering and Asset Management activities covering a world-wide base of 160 customers operating over 1,100 aircraft in addition to managing a trading and leasing portfolio of some 350 aircraft.
About BAE SYSTEMS
BAE Systems is an international company engaged in the development, delivery and support of advanced defence and aerospace systems in the air, on land, at sea and in space. The company designs, manufactures and supports military aircraft, surface ships, submarines, fighting vehicles, radar, avionics, communications, electronics and guided weapon systems. It is a pioneer in technology with a heritage stretching back hundreds of years. It is at the forefront of innovation, working to develop the next generation of intelligent defence systems.
BAE Systems has major operations across five continents and customers in some 130 countries. The company has more than 90,000 people and generates annual sales of approximately £12 billion through its wholly-owned and joint venture operations.
For further information contact:
David Dorman, BAE Systems
Tel: +44 (0)1582 488336 Fax: +44 (0)1582 488447 ddaviddorman@aol.com
www.regional-services.com
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