22 May 2006
BAE Systems Regional Aircraft has leased one Avro RJ100 regional jetliner to FaroeJet a new airline based in the Faroe Islands. The aircraft (msn E3234) was delivered in mid-May.
The Faroe Islands (northwest of Scotland and halfway between Iceland and Norway) is a self-governing region of Denmark and with strong business and financial links with the Danish mainland. Despite a population of only 50,000, air travel between the Faroe Islands and Denmark is buoyant and tourism is the second largest industry on the Islands. In 2004, 140,000 passengers travelled on the direct route from the Faroes to Copenhagen effectively three times the population of the Islands.
Traditionally two airlines have been granted mutual concessions to operate this route according to Faroe Islands local regulations, but since 2004 only Atlantic Airways with its fleet of four BAe 146/Avro RJs has offered service. To take advantage of this opportunity a group of Faroese investors banded together in 2005 to form FaroeJet. The airline has been registered, shares issued and capital banked. Airline staff have been recruited and now FaroeJet is poised to enter the market to offer scheduled services between the Islands and Copenhagen.
The aircraft will stay overnight in Copenhagen to offer an early start for business travellers, along with early post and cargo shipments. Double rotations are planned in the summer, six days a week with a high class of service. On Saturdays FaroeJet expects to fly for other operators to European destinations.
The Avro RJ is ideally suited to operate from Vagar Airport, which is the only airport on the islands, with its difficult approach and short runway.
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 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, please contact:
David Dorman, BAE Systems
Tel: +44 (0) 1582 488336 Fax: +44 (0) 1582 488447
ddaviddorman@aol.com
www.regional-services.com
Ref: 119/2006
