BAE Systems Regional Aircraft and Cello Aviation of the UK are jointly exhibiting the latest converted Avro Business Jet (ABJ) at the European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (EBACE) show in Geneva (May 4-6, 2010).
To be displayed in the show aircraft static park, EBACE will be the first public outing for Cello Aviation’s ABJ which will fly directly to Geneva after completion at Inflite Engineering Services Southend facility on Sunday. Cello Aviation’s home base is at Birmingham International Airport.
Cello Aviation is part of the Gill Group which acquired the aircraft (a BAe 146-200) late last year. Cello Aviation’s intention is to offer the aircraft to the UK and European VIP executive charter market.
Nim Baines, Chief Executive Officer of Cello Aviation, has created the aircraft’s unique 46 first class seat interior which can be reconfigured as a 44 seat layout with a Club 4 arrangement at the front. The four-abreast parchment colour leather seats with 43 inch pitch and moveable cabin divider, together with the hot galleys and increased cabin staff complement will allow a bespoke customer driven product offering with the highest level of flexibility and on-board service.
Mr. Baines said: ‘’This aircraft has an interior configuration unique within Europe and is targeted towards the high end group movements market , particularly the sporting team and entertainment industry . Additionally, we expect the product launch sector to find this level of in-flight service quality particularly attractive. Initial enquires received so far have significantly exceeded our expectations.’’
In addition to the Cello Aviation ABJ, another recent delivery was the aircraft for the Presidential Flight of Abu Dhabi. A third ABJ, recently acquired by Inflite Engineering Services will incorporate an interior developed by the internationally renowned LINLEY design group.
Over the past two years the number of BAe 146/Avro RJs that have been converted into ABJs or which are in work at present has reached 13 aircraft, around half the total of current in-service aircraft in the corporate role.
Stewart Cordner, Vice President Avro Business Jets for BAE Systems commented: “The ABJ programme continues to gather momentum as recent deliveries have shown. The aircraft is being used in a variety of different executive roles from government/VIP to business charter services and company shuttles.
“We have some exciting new ideas for innovative interiors which we shall be unveiling at EBACE, some of which are particular to this aircraft, and which will enable operators or individuals to use and enjoy and indeed offer the aircraft for potentially interesting new opportunities.
About BAE Systems
BAE Systems is a global defence, security and aerospace company with approximately 107,000 employees worldwide. The Company delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. In 2009 BAE Systems reported sales of £22.4 billion (US$ 36.2 billion).
