BAE Systems: BAe 146/Avro RJs finding homes is Australia, US, Caribbean and Africa

BAE Systems reported (11-Oct-2016) BAe 146 and Avro RJ regional jetliners that are now starting to come out of mainland European airline service are "steadily finding new operators, markets and applications" with operators in Australia, the Caribbean, Africa and North America. Aircraft placements includes:

• Two BAe 146-200QT freighters, previously operated by ASL Aviation Group on behalf of the FedEx-TNT combination, have been sold to Pionair of Australia. In Sep-2016, the carrier started overnight freight services on behalf of Virgin Australia which has won a five-year USUSD575 million contract from TNT Express;
• Neptune Aviation Services of Missoula, Montana acquired an ex-Bulgarian Airlines BAe 146-200. It will be converted to the aerial firefighting role ready for the 2017 fire season. This aircraft joins seven other BAe 146-200s in Neptune service;
• Starbow took delivery of its first RJ100, which it added to its existing fleet of BAe 146 and ATR 72-500 aircraft;
• BVI Airways - a start-up based in Tortola, British Virgin Islands - has taken delivery of another ex-European RJ100. Once the airline has received its operating certificate, it plans to commence daily non-stop services from Tortola to Miami later in 2016. [more - original PR]