BAE SYSTEMS ATTENDS AIR CARGO AFRICA TO PROMOTE ITS REGIONAL AIRCRAFT FOR PASSENGER AND FREIGHT USE.

Hatfield, Hertfordshire….Building upon its growing penetration of the African regional airliner market, BAE Systems Asset Management will be attending the Air Cargo Africa Conference and exhibition in Nairobi, Kenya, (February 22-24). BAE Systems can be found on booth No.6.

Attending on behalf of the company will be Mr Nigel Benson, Director Sales Sub-Saharan Africa and Freighter Programmes, together with Mr Stuart Begg, Director Technical Sales. Mr Benson said today:

“Nairobi is not just a major African cargo and passenger hub but is also a major operational base for aircraft support activity on behalf of the United Nations and other NGOs. As a result there is scope at this conference for a good level of contacts from both passenger and freight airlines which we hope will stimulate opportunities for our regional freighter and passenger aircraft.”

Mr Benson explained that BAE Systems believes that the developing African Continent needs more regional connecting passenger and freight flights to sustain its growing economies.

He added: “The African regional freight market so far has not developed as extensively as it has done in more established economies around the world, and whilst the major international integrators are active on the African continent, this is not at the same level of intensity or capacity as is evident in Europe and North America.

“As a result we believe that existing African air cargo airlines will grow and that potential new entrants will also come into the market particularly to serve intra-African needs and to feed long haul freight flights. We also note that there are some airlines in Africa that operate both passenger and freight services and we think that these carriers will try to grow capacity to match the increased demand.”

In recent years the BAE Systems BAe 146 and Avro RJ 70-112 seat regional jetliners have enjoyed increasing success in Africa, mostly in the passenger role. Currently there are some eight operators of the type in countries such as South Africa, Libya, Equatorial Guinea and the Comores Islands and with a strong level of market interest for further acquisitions.

In recognition of the increasing market for its products in Africa, BAE Systems is developing a regional support strategy for the Continent and has discussions underway with operators and repair stations. The intention is to establish a regional support centre in the Johannesburg area that will provide African operators convenient access to the same levels of service as currently enjoyed by European customers.

In addition to a range of passenger aircraft available, BAE Systems has a BAe 146-200QT (Quiet Trader) 10-tonne freighter and a BAe 146-200QC (Quick Change passenger/freighter aircraft) available for delivery from the early summer. BAE Systems has also been mandated exclusively by Titan Airways of the UK to sell or lease one of its BAe 146 freighter or Quick Change variants – this aircraft is available for immediate delivery.

The BAe 146/Avro RJ represents an affordable acquisition for growing airlines. Its low capital cost and excellent economics means that it is an ideal aircraft for lower utilisation services, as is commonly found in Africa. The aircraft also offers exceptional ‘hot and high’ airfield performance and is capable of operating independently from remote and unpaved airfields so can be used to introduce services to more inaccessible areas.

For further information contact:

David Dorman
BAE Systems
Tel: +44 (0) 1582 488336