BAE Systems Regional Aircraft has delivered a Jetstream 32 twin-turboprop to Romanian oil company Rompetrol Logistics for its newly created flight department. The handover marks the first sale to Eastern Europe for BAE Systems of a corporate-configured Jetstream type, and opens up a new market for the company's US Asset Management division, writes Kate Sarsfield.
"In all of our market studies we have seen opportunities in eastern Europe for the Jetstream, both in a scheduled airline and a corporate role," says Michael Canzian, senior vice-president Asset Management.
Rompetrol's J32, formerly a 19-seat airliner, has been reconfigured with a 12-seat corporate interior and will be used primarily as a company shuttle, transporting executives to Rompetrol's bases across Europe. The aircraft will also be available for charter, Canzian says, and the revenues could be invested in new aircraft acquisitions.
Canzian says sales of corporate Jetstream types have risen from around six aircraft 10 years ago to 50 now, which represents around a quarter of the J31/32 fleet in service. The company plans to sell between 10 and 15 units a year over the next five years, consisting mainly of J32s as the company is winding down its J31 business this year.
"With its stand-up cabin and a price point of around $1 million for a late [1991-2] low-time model, J32 has advantages over other turboprops in its class, such as the Raytheon Beechcraft King Air," Canzian says.
The growth in corporate sales, Canzian adds, has prompted BAE Systems to address the maintenance schedule for low utilisation operators. "Now we have a sizeable portfolio of corporate aircraft and we want to simplify the procedure," he says.
Source: Flight International
