26 Nov 2003
BAE Systems Regional Aircraft has today delivered the final Avro RJ to Blue 1 (formerly Air Botnia) of Finland, bringing to a close 22 years of BAe 146/ Avro RJ production.
The aircraft was the last of a recent contract for four aircraft, (two Avro RJ100s and two RJ85s), all of which have been delivered on schedule to the airline.
A total of 390 Avro RJs and BAe 146s have been delivered ensuring that the programme has been Britains most successful jet airliner.
The final aircraft an Avro RJ85 (E2394) was flown from FlyBE Aviation Services at Exeter where it had been customised, to Helsinki via four Regional Aircraft facilities in the UK. It overflew Weybridge, Surrey (European Spares Logistics Centre) and Hatfield (Asset Management), where previously many of the BAe 146s had been built.
It then landed at Woodford, near Manchester (Customer Training and Engineering and the former assembly line), followed by Prestwick, Scotland (headquarters of Regional Aircraft and centre for Customer Support and Engineering).
Blue 1 is a member of the SAS Group, operating more than 80 daily flights to/from five cities in Finland to Stockholm, Gothenburg, Oslo, Copenhagen, Brussels and Dusseldorf, and the new aircraft have been deployed on to these routes, augmenting the airlines existing five Avro RJ85s that have been operated since November 2001.
This final aircraft will bring the total of BAe 146 and Avro RJs delivered to 390, in service with over 50 operators world-wide. In Europe the BAe 146/Avro RJ is the most numerous jetliner in service with airlines belonging to the European Regions Airline Association and some 200 aircraft fly with 30 operators. Its low noise characteristics, excellent economics, passenger appeal and strong service and support from Regional Aircraft means that it will remain in front-line airline service for several decades.
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, 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.
BAE Systems, innovating for a safer world.
