12 Feb 2001
Ref: 17/2001
Australian air Express, a joint venture company owned by Qantas Airways Ltd and Australia Post, has marked a decade of service by extending long-term leases on three BAe 146QT freighters from BAE Systems.
The aircraft – two series 300 units (E3194 and E3198) – and a series 100 jet (E1002) operate overnight cargo services throughout eastern Australia, carrying general freight, perishables and mail.
Their route network stretches from Adelaide and Melbourne in the South-East to Sydney, Brisbane and the tropical northern cities of Townsville and Cairns.
“The BAe 146 aircraft provide the backbone of our operations,” said Australian air Express chief executive Mr Allen Buckley. “Since we started our business in 1991, we have operated this aircraft type reliably and economically, and I am pleased to say that we have just renewed long-term leases on all three of our BAe 146QTs.”
Mr Buckley said the 146-300s based in Adelaide and Brisbane each carried up to 11.5 tonnes of freight, while the 146-100 freighter, based in Cairns, carried 7.5 tonnes.
“Our BAe 146 fleet carried 36% of our total freighter uplift last year, at an average load factor of over 90% on all the forward moving sectors” said Mr Buckley. “Not only do these aircraft offer significant freight capacity – their low-noise engines also enable us to operate overnight throughout eastern Australia and comply with the Sydney Airport Curfew Act and the curfew in Adelaide.”
Mr David Ropper - BAE Systems' director of regional aircraft sales Australasia, said the lease extensions were an excellent endorsement of the BAe 146 freighter, which has proved its capabilities in very diverse Australian conditions.
“Australian air Express has very exacting demands, and requires not only air freight space but a reliable aircraft type to carry that cargo to its destinations,” said Mr Ropper.
“We are delighted that our aircraft will continue to be the frontline freighters for this specialist airline.”
The Australian air Express BAe 146QTs are operated by Adelaide-based aviation company National Jet Systems, which also operates a fleet of 146-100, 200 and 300 passenger aircraft for the Qantas group within Australia, and to East Timor.
