airlink adds bae 146-200 to existing fleet
Airlink recently acquired three BAe 146-200 regional jetliners from BAE Systems. Delivery of the first two aircraft took place in mid-April with the remaining aircraft due to follow later in the year. All aircraft are configured in a comfortable four and six-abreast business/economy layout with seating for up to 89 passengers.
Unit production costs of smaller aircraft are far greater than those of larger aircraft, and to make sense of the low unit revenue, Airlink has moved towards the larger gauge aircraft.
“We selected the BAe 146 as it offers a spacious, comfortable and quiet cabin, affording heightened comfort levels to our passengers. It is environmentally friendly and offers competitive economics and the most cost-effective means to increase capacity. This aircraft is a relatively new concept in terms of its technology, particularly in regard to its engines, where its four engine configuration provides advanced safety features. It is capable of operating at smaller destinations and restricted airfields, thus prospectively opening some exciting new market opportunities,” comments, Rodger Foster, Airlink Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.
The added capacity represented by the BAe 146s enables Airlink to introduce new routes, replace older leased equipment on some of its services and offers more seats on its most saturated routes.
With its newly acquired aircraft, Airlink has launched flights from Johannesburg to Lusaka, Zambia and Harare, Zimbabwe. The BAe 146 will replace a wet-leased Boeing 737 on Airlink’s services linking Johannesburg with Antananarivo and Nosy Be, Madagascar and Pemba, Mozambique. Airlink has also upgraded its current ERJ-135 service between Johannesburg and Ndola, Zambia, with the BAe 146.
In addition, domestically the BAe 146s will supplement the ERJ-135 on the Johannesburg-Nelspruit and Johannesburg-George routes. “We’ve kept the best two flights on the George route – the night flight and the early morning flight, and the new aircraft’s capacity will help us reduce unit production costs,” adds Foster.
BAE Systems is a global defence and aerospace company and Johannesburg-based Airlink is a long-standing customer. The BAe 146-200, being a relatively new generation aircraft, offers a balance between operational affordability and the risk associated with owning and operating the capital asset and represents a prudent financial solution to Airlink’s operational requirements.
Depending on Airlink’s economic performance in the forthcoming months and how the market responds to the BAe 146, Airlink may acquire a fourth BAe Aircraft towards the end of the year.