Inflite Engineering Services has purchased a BAE Systems Avro Business Jet (ABJ) and has teamed with UK design firm Linley to offer customised interiors for ABJs.
BAE Systems announced at the show yesterday that UK-based Inflite, which has converted several Avros from commercial aircraft to business jets in recent years, has purchased a 146-100 and will speculatively convert the aircraft for onward sale. BAE says the aircraft is being delivered immediately.
Inflite selected Linley, which has worked with several business jet companies including Gulfstream, to "offer the market a very special interior configuration and styling".
BAE says the sale of one aircraft to Inflite means there are now 27 Avros delivered or contracted, including the aircraft sold to UK-based Gill Group earlier this month.
"This sale to Inflite is a further demonstration of the appeal of the Avro Business Jet, in this case as a business investment. Inflite has seen for itself the value proposition and increase in asset value offered by the combination of a pre-owned BAe 146/Avro RJ combined with a top-class interior," says BAE Systems vice-president of ABJs Stewart Cordner.
Inflite managing director Steve Buckingham adds: "We have a really positive experience of the Avro Business Jet and the strong market reaction to it, and this has convinced us there is an excellent business opportunity to buy our own aircraft, convert it and offer it for sale. If this concept works then we would not rule out further speculative acquisitions."
Source: Flight Daily News
