The arrival of low-cost carriers (LCC) such as Ryanair and Easyjet has transformed the regional carrier business, says Steve Doughty, vice-president of Sales and Marketing, BAE Systems Regional Aircraft.
"The growth of LCCs is undoubtedly the most significant development in our market in the last five years and has completely redefined what regional carriers are," Doughty said. "It's not just about competing directly with Mr O'Leary [CEO Michael O'Leary of Ryanair] but companies do have to drive down costs or die.
"That is why we are committed to delivering the best possible value for our customers - because if they don't make money, then we don't," he says.
Doughty was speaking on the back of the third year of business for BAE Systems Regional Aircraft, which was founded in 2002 to provide customer support, engineering and asset management for 160 customers worldwide who operate 1,100 aircraft between them. The company also manages a trading and leasing portfolio of 350 aircraft.
Precocious
Managing director Alan Fraser says that in common with a precocious three-year-old child, BAE Systems Regional Aircraft is looking to the future: "When you're three, you don't look back, you look forward and that's what we are doing."
He points to the company's recent 4 million ($7.3 million) investment in its SAP and customer portal and its slicker project management as examples of how it is constantly aiming to improve its service.
On top of a robust first two quarters, BAE Regional signed a major buy and leaseback deal with Belgian carrier SN Brussels Airlines last month which will involve 23 Avro RJ85/100s.
The deal will see BAE Systems Regional Aircraft acquire the aircraft in stages over the next five years with long-term leases back to SN Brussels Airlines, ensuring that the RJ aircraft will remain a core part of the SN Brussels fleet into the next decade. The company has also been strongly involved in developing business in the new markets in Eastern Europe, Asia and South America
"The growth of LCCs is undoubtedly the most significant development in our market in the last five years and has completely redefined what regional carriers are," Doughty said. "It's not just about competing directly with Mr O'Leary [CEO Michael O'Leary of Ryanair] but companies do have to drive down costs or die.
"That is why we are committed to delivering the best possible value for our customers - because if they don't make money, then we don't," he says.
Doughty was speaking on the back of the third year of business for BAE Systems Regional Aircraft, which was founded in 2002 to provide customer support, engineering and asset management for 160 customers worldwide who operate 1,100 aircraft between them. The company also manages a trading and leasing portfolio of 350 aircraft.
Precocious
Managing director Alan Fraser says that in common with a precocious three-year-old child, BAE Systems Regional Aircraft is looking to the future: "When you're three, you don't look back, you look forward and that's what we are doing."
He points to the company's recent 4 million ($7.3 million) investment in its SAP and customer portal and its slicker project management as examples of how it is constantly aiming to improve its service.
On top of a robust first two quarters, BAE Regional signed a major buy and leaseback deal with Belgian carrier SN Brussels Airlines last month which will involve 23 Avro RJ85/100s.
The deal will see BAE Systems Regional Aircraft acquire the aircraft in stages over the next five years with long-term leases back to SN Brussels Airlines, ensuring that the RJ aircraft will remain a core part of the SN Brussels fleet into the next decade. The company has also been strongly involved in developing business in the new markets in Eastern Europe, Asia and South America
Source: Flight Daily News
