24 Jul 2001
Australian aviation services company, National Jet Systems (NJS) has extended its lease of an Avro RJ70 jet from BAE Systems, after securing a major new contract from Australia's Department of Territories and Regional Services. NJS is to provide scheduled flights to the remote Indian Ocean communities of Christmas and Cocos Islands.
NJS already uses the 73-seat, one-class RJ70 to fly contract services to regional resources sites in the vast state of Western Australia, including fly in - fly out operations to the AUD $1 billion Anaconda laterite nickel development at Murrin Murrin, in the state's eastern goldfields region.
The RJ70, serial number E1228, is based in the Western Australian capital of Perth. Since joining the National Jet fleet five years ago, from BAE Systems, the aircraft has operated contract flights for resources companies and a range of ad hoc domestic and international charters. It currently flies in excess of 2000 hours per annum.
"The reliability of the RJ70 and its high altitude cruise capability, were key considerations in our bid to provide scheduled services from Perth to Christmas and Cocos Islands," said National Jet Systems Managing Director Ms Daniela Marsilli.
"Although they are Australian external territories, Christmas and Cocos Islands are 2800 kilometres from the aircraft's home base of Perth, and are actually closer to Indonesia," said Ms Marsilli.
"The RJ70 is the right size for this operation, and has the capability to fly non-stop from Perth to Christmas Island. This contract, which we will now operate until early 2004, is in addition to the resources work which the aircraft currently performs throughout Western Australia."
BAE Systems director of sales for the Australasian region, David Ropper, said the decision of NJS to extend its RJ70 lease was a strong endorsement of the aircraft's capabilities for a range of missions.
"This aircraft is not only required to fly long distances. It is also required to operate in hot outback locations and, in some circumstances, to use short runways in remote centres," said Mr Ropper. "It passes every test".
"The RJ70 continues the good work of its predecessor, the BAe 146, which now operates in every Australian state and territory, and throughout New Zealand."
