A new venture specialising in revamping and remarketing the out-of-production BAe 146 and Avro RJ’s for the global VIP, passenger and special mission markets has been launched.
Berlin-headquartered Cordner Aviation Group has formed a strategic alliance with four UK companies to “provide a turnkey, seamless service menu” for prospective owners of the four-engined aircraft.
Cordner Aviation will source the aircraft and manage each project, Design Q will create the interior specification, Inflite Engineering will handle the completion and charter operator Cello Aviation will manage the aircraft, if required.
Birmingham-based Cello already operates a 40-seat VIP configured 146-300 and plans to add another of the VIP-configured types to its managed fleet soon.
“Our mission is to serve our customers at any or all stages in the conversion process,” said Cordner’s founder and president Stewart Cordner. “This includes sourcing and evaluating the aircraft, arranging for bespoke interior concepts, providing the necessary post-sale maintenance and completions and even arranging outside aircraft management,” he added. Cordner is a former BAE Systems executive.
The aircraft – branded the Multijet – will be offered in VIP, passenger, special mission, quick change and freighter conversion “The 146/Avro is one of the greatest airliners ever built and there is still a huge demand for these types worldwide from a broad range of individuals and operators,” Cordner said.
“You can pick up a good 146 or an RJ85 for between $2 million and $5 million. Add another $3 million to the price for a VIP interior and you have a great aircraft with a range of around 1,600nm [2,960km] – or 1,800nm with the extended range tanks – that has steep approach capability,” added Cordner.
The company now has a mandate to remarket “to non-scheduled operators” five Lufthansa RJ85ERs and a number of RJ70s for an undisclosed eastern European operator.
Around 390 BAe 146 and Avro types were built between 1983 and 2002. Of these around 220 remain in operation, 25 in executive configuration. BAE Systems offers an executive version of the BAe 146 and Avro RJ under the brand name Avro Business Jet.
Source: Flight International
