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Avro business jet makes its debut

BAE Systems is displaying an Avro Business Jet (ABJ) for the first time at the Dubai Air Show (November 15-19).

The ABJ is an RJ70 delivered in late 2008 to Bulgaria Air after conversion at Inflite Engineering Services at London-Stansted Airport. Featuring an interior designed by Design Q of the UK, the aircraft is operated on behalf of the airline’s parent company, the Varna-based diversified industrial group TIM.

The modern, innovative mood-lit cabin has a double club-4 executive seating, dining and divan area at the front, with a separate 12-seat business class seating cabin at the rear. Sliding pocket doors separate the two cabin areas. The front entrance area has been converted into a welcoming bar area. There is a state-of-the-art inflight entertainment system featuring a Bang & Olufsen 42 inch plasma TV screen, as well as a number of smaller TV screens with multi-channel access and there is also full in-flight connectivity.

The aircraft is available for executive charter and has proven to be a winner in attracting a diverse clientele from around the world. This summer the aircraft was used to fly the internationally famous rock band Santana on their European tour. Heads of State are also using the ABJ and recently the ABJ flew the President of Moldova on a return flight between Kishinev and Athens. International business people are also regular users, particularly Bulgarian and Russian executives and in August a Saudi Prince charted the aircraft to fly himself and his family from Athens to Riyadh.

According to Bulgaria Air Senior Pilot Valeri Dimitrov, the ABJ has proven very popular. He said:

“Our VIP passengers really like the interior of the cabin, its high ceiling, the space inside, the finish, the capabilities of the Bang & Olufsen entertainment system, and the positioning and luxury of the sofas and seats.

“We have flown our Prime Minister several times, the President of Bulgaria, many foreign dignitaries including one of the Gulf State Royal Families, not to mention our Company owners. Everybody is very impressed with the aircraft, and with the luxurious interior.”

Sales of the Avro Business Jet continue to grow steadily, the latest success being the aircraft sold to the Gill Group of the UK for its newly formed ‘in house’ flight department. The aircraft will be converted to a 46-seat executive shuttle configuration and will enter service in the second quarter of 2010.

The Gill Group, founded by Chief Executive and owner Mr Raj Gill, specialises in large airport and motorway infrastructure construction. The company has offices in the UK and UAE and has recently completed a new apron area at Abu Dhabi International Airport.

Stewart Cordner, Vice President Avro Business Jets for BAE Systems said: “The ABJ represents a fantastic value proposition. The combination of a pre-owned BAe 146/Avro RJ together with an innovative interior results in a strong, cost-effective contender for the larger business jet market and at a fraction of the cost and timescale of new production line aircraft. We are in detailed negotiations for the sale of several more ABJs which we hope to announce shortly.”

He added: “We have been particularly successful in the Middle East where we have ABJs in service with the Dubai Air Wing, Presidential Flight of Abu Dhabi and the Bahrain Defence Force, as well as with Kuwaiti First Trading and Construction.”

Currently one ABJ is under conversion at Inflite Engineering Services. This is a late model Avro RJ100 which is destined for the Presidential Flight of Abu Dhabi where it will operate alongside the existing RJ70.