BAE Systems Regional Aircraft has leased a further two ATP turboprop freighters to leading operator of the type West Air Sweden.

The two aircraft are currently being equipped with the Large Freight Door at the Romaero conversion line at Baneasa, Bucharest, Romania and will be delivered in August (msn 2010) and September (msn 2038).

These aircraft will be deployed by West Air Sweden to replace two BAe 748 freighters that are currently used on the Swedish Post Office overnight mail contract. The Swedish Post Office has decided that from October 28 it will consolidate its overnight postal flights undertaken by West Air Sweden to an all ATPF operation. This means that the BAe 748s will be phased out, as will the Falcon Air Boeing 737-300s that are currently used, in favour of an all –turboprop operation.

In addition, West Air Sweden recently won a five-year Euros30 million contract from the Norwegian Post Office which will demand the stationing of five ATPFs into Norway, also commencing October 28. This contract calls for eight routes to be flown by West Air Sweden in Norway.

To meet this surge in demand West Air Sweden has also recently acquired a further three ATPs from Danish operator Sun-Air and these are being converted into E-Class bulk freight interiors ready for the new service start.

The addition of the two new leased aircraft from Regional Aircraft and the three ex-Sun Air machines will bring West Air Sweden’s ATPF fleet to 18 aircraft.

This order for two more ATPFs, follows closely on significant new business gained for the aircraft this year from customers in India, the Netherlands and the UK covering eight aircraft. This brings the number of freighter conversions of ATPs in service or scheduled for delivery to 27, indicating the growing importance of the ATPF, particularly on Europe where it is emerging as the dominant regional turboprop freighter. 

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 300 aircraft

About BAE SYSTEMS

BAE Systems is the premier transatlantic defence and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions and customer support services. With more than 100,000 employees worldwide, BAE Systems’ sales exceeded GB £15.4 billion (US$28 billion) in 2005.

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

Issued by:
BAE Systems, Farnborough, Hampshire, GU14 6YU, UK
Tel: +44 (1252) 384695 Fax: +44 (0) 1252 383947
www.baesystems.com

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