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Aviation History
2003
2003 - 2043.PDF
AIR TRANSPORT PORTFOLIO MAX KINGSLEY-JONES / DUBLIN Tronos spreads leasing net wide UK company is aiming its BAe 146s at a broad range of markets, including corporate, cargo and passenger Tronos, a UK leasing company that has built up a large portfolio of BAe 146s, is targeting a broad cross- section of markets, including corpo rate, cargo and waterbombing fleets. Headed by UK aviation entrepre neur Adrian Noskwith, Tronos owns 12 146s and manages another nine aircraft on behalf of a bank - repre senting 10% of the entire 146 fleet. The airline recently purchased three ex-China Northwest Airlines 146- 100s and is finalising a deal to acquire three similar, ex-Air China aircraft. Its portfolio also includes the larger 146-200 and -300. Says Noskwith: "We funded Cranfield's 146 cargo conversion design, and will install a Europallet- compatible freight door on one -200 initially." He adds that the program me, which uses a smaller door on REBRANDIN6 MURDO MORRISON / VIENNA Austrian/Tyrolean rebra shift of focus in marketir G rebrand marks marketing strategy The first Q400 flew in the Austrian Arrows livery last week, marking the start of Tyrolean's rebranding ORDERS JACKSON FLORES / RIO DE JANEIRO Embraer and Satena ink deal for regional aircraft ($1.7 million) rebrand will allow the loss-making group to offer a "com mon identity", and Tyrolean to ben efit from the better-known Austrian name. Within the two airlines, busi ness and economy products will be "pushed further apart" to reflect the "polarisation" of the market into premium and no-frills segments, says Sorensen. Austrian is focusing on Eastern Europe. It wants to increase passen gers on Eastern European flights by half to almost 1.9 million by 2008, and set up a base at Bratislava air port in Slovakia - 50km (30 miles) from Austrian capital Vienna - to benefit from rising air travel after Slovakia joins the European Union next year and Bratislava's lower costs. But Sorensen rules out a sepa rate no-frills brand based in the Slovakian capital. He also dismisses suggestions that ailing Swiss might be a candidate for Star membership. Austrian Airlines Group has re- branded two of its divisions: Aust rian Airlines becomes Austrian, while regional Tyrolean Airways is renamed Austrian Arrows. The new liveries will be rolled out across the fleets over two years, with the first Austrian Arrows-branded Bombard ier Q400 taking to the skies last week, and an Austrian A330-200 due to follow in November. Austrian Airlines chief executive Vagn Sorensen says the €1.5 million Colombian state-owned airline Sat ena has signed a memorandum of understanding covering the pur chase of two Embraer EMB-145LR regional jets. The aircraft are due to be delivered by December. Satena recently secured a $20.6 million credit to acquire the two aircraft and improve its cash flow. Meanwhile Colombian start-up carrier Aerolineas Estelar has been forced to postpone launching ser vices by 90 days to December. The delay follows a shareholder reshuf fling, with foreign investors now owning 65% of the airline. This was further compounded by opposition from local airlines Aires, the -200 than on the -300, mounted on the forward right side of the fuse lage, is ready to go and a launch cus tomer is being sought. Noskwith says the -100's short fu selage means it cannot accom modate a forward cargo door, and is only suited for the bulk freighter role. Tronos and BAE Systems have studied the retrofitting of a stretch to the -100's fuselage to create a -300 AeroRepublica and Avianca, which have objected to the awarding of key routes to Aerolineas Estelar. Aimed at providing local busi nessmen with scheduled services between major Colombian destina tions, the airline has already received five Embraer EMB-120ER Brasilias and will fly to 18 destinations. sized freighter, but Noskwith thinks it is unlikely to go ahead. "The -100 makes an ideal cheap corporate aircraft, costing around $5 million with an interior," he says. "We have also spoken to two US operators about using the aircraft as a waterbomber - they would under take the conversions and certifica tions." He adds that the passenger airline market is also being targeted. CONVERSIONS Astar Air bolsters cargo fleet US-based Rightstar Aircraft Services is to convert 10 Boeing 727-200s into freighters for use by Astar Air Cargo. Flightstar says the aircraft are owned by BATA, a joint venture between Boeing Capital and ATA Holdings. "The conversions will begin immediately, and include a D level maintenance check for each aircraft," it says. "The conversion programme will continue through the second quarter of 2005." Flightstar, based at Jackson ville International Airport, Florida, says that earlier this year it completed conversions on four 727s now being operated by US cargo carrier Astar, which until a recent ownership change was known as DHL Airways. Astar flies around 40 Airbus A300B4, Boeing 727 and Mc Donnell Douglas DC-8 aircraft. ATLASJET START-UP Turkey's AtlasJet International Airways is starting a charter operation in Bangkok using Boeing 747s or 767s. "ThaiJet" services are set to commence around November to Frankfurt. AtlasJet's parent is German tour operator Oger. www.flightinternational.com FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 23-29 SEPTEMBER 2003 9
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