BAe 146
Encyclopedia
The British Aerospace 146 (also BAe 146) is a medium-sized commercial airliner
Airliner
An airliner is a large fixed-wing aircraft for transporting passengers and cargo. Such aircraft are operated by airlines. Although the definition of an airliner can vary from country to country, an airliner is typically defined as an aircraft intended for carrying multiple passengers in commercial...
formerly manufactured in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
by British Aerospace
British Aerospace
British Aerospace plc was a UK aircraft, munitions and defence-systems manufacturer. Its head office was in the Warwick House in the Farnborough Aerospace Centre in Farnborough, Hampshire...
, later part of BAE Systems
BAE Systems
BAE Systems plc is a British multinational defence, security and aerospace company headquartered in London, United Kingdom, that has global interests, particularly in North America through its subsidiary BAE Systems Inc. BAE is among the world's largest military contractors; in 2009 it was the...
. Production ran from 1983 until 2002. Manufacture of an improved version known as the Avro RJ began in 1992. A further-improved version with new engines, the Avro RJX, was announced in 1997, but only two prototypes and one production aircraft were built before production ceased in late 2001. With 387 aircraft produced, the Avro RJ/BAe 146 is the most successful British civil jet programme.
The BAe 146/Avro RJ is a high-wing cantilever monoplane with a T-tail
T-tail
thumb|right|Grob motor gliderA T-tail is an aircraft tail stabilizer configuration in which the horizontal surfaces are mounted to the top of the vertical stabilizer. Traditionally, the horizontal control surfaces are mounted to the fuselage at the base of the vertical stabilizer...
. It has four turbofan
Turbofan
The turbofan is a type of airbreathing jet engine that is widely used for aircraft propulsion. A turbofan combines two types of engines, the turbo portion which is a conventional gas turbine engine, and the fan, a propeller-like ducted fan...
engines mounted on pylons underneath the wings, and has retractable tricycle landing gear. The aircraft has very quiet operation, and has been marketed under the name Whisperjet. It sees wide usage at small city-based airport
Airport
An airport is a location where aircraft such as fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and blimps take off and land. Aircraft may be stored or maintained at an airport...
s. In its primary role it serves as a regional jet, short-haul airliner or regional airliner
Regional airliner
A regional airliner or a feederliner is a small airliner designed to fly up to 100 passengers on short-haul flights, usually feeding larger carriers' hubs from small markets. This class of airliners are typically flown by the regional airlines that are either contracted by or subsidiaries of the...
. The BAe 146/Avro RJ is in wide use among European airlines, such as Brussels Airlines
Brussels Airlines
Brussels Airlines is a flag carrier airline headquartered in the b.house on the grounds of Brussels Airport and in Diegem, Machelen, Belgium and a subsidiary of Lufthansa. It is the largest airline based in Belgium, operating to over 65 destinations in 20 European countries as well as long-haul...
, CityJet, Swiss International Air Lines
Swiss International Air Lines
Swiss International Air Lines AG is the principal airline of Switzerland operating scheduled services in Europe and to North America, South America, Africa and Asia. Its main hub is Zurich Airport...
and Lufthansa
Lufthansa
Deutsche Lufthansa AG is the flag carrier of Germany and the largest airline in Europe in terms of overall passengers carried. The name of the company is derived from Luft , and Hansa .The airline is the world's fourth-largest airline in terms of overall passengers carried, operating...
. The freight-carrying version has the designation "QT" (Quiet Trader), while a convertible version is designated "QC".
The BAe 146 comes in -100, -200 and -300 models. The equivalent Avro RJ versions are designated RJ70, RJ85, and RJ100.
Development
Hawker Siddeley carried out the original design in 1973 using the designation HS.146, but soon abandoned the project as a result of the world economic downturn resulting from the 1973 oil crisis1973 oil crisis
The 1973 oil crisis started in October 1973, when the members of Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries or the OAPEC proclaimed an oil embargo. This was "in response to the U.S. decision to re-supply the Israeli military" during the Yom Kippur war. It lasted until March 1974. With the...
. Low-key development proceeded, however, and in 1978 British Aerospace
British Aerospace
British Aerospace plc was a UK aircraft, munitions and defence-systems manufacturer. Its head office was in the Warwick House in the Farnborough Aerospace Centre in Farnborough, Hampshire...
, Hawker Siddeley's corporate successor, re-launched the project. The 146 type number comes from the original de Havilland
De Havilland
The de Havilland Aircraft Company was a British aviation manufacturer founded in 1920 when Airco, of which Geoffrey de Havilland had been chief designer, was sold to BSA by the owner George Holt Thomas. De Havilland then set up a company under his name in September of that year at Stag Lane...
designation sequence, which was continued by Hawker Siddeley when the former became a subsidiary of the latter. The type name "Avro RJ" superseded "BAe 146" in 1993.
Production
The early aircraft were built at what was originally a de HavillandDe Havilland
The de Havilland Aircraft Company was a British aviation manufacturer founded in 1920 when Airco, of which Geoffrey de Havilland had been chief designer, was sold to BSA by the owner George Holt Thomas. De Havilland then set up a company under his name in September of that year at Stag Lane...
factory at Hatfield
Hatfield Aerodrome
Hatfield Aerodrome, formerly , was an airfield and aircraft factory located in the town of Hatfield, Hertfordshire from 1930 until its closure and redevelopment in the 1990s.-Early history:...
. The Avro RJ family of aircraft was assembled at the BAE Systems Regional Aircraft
BAE Systems Regional Aircraft
thumb|300px|An Avro RJ85. BAE Systems Regional Aircraft still leases a large number of these jets.BAE Systems Regional Aircraft produced the last fully UK-built airliner in November 2001, the Avro RJX...
Centre at the Avro Airfield at Woodford
Woodford, Greater Manchester
Woodford is a suburban village at the southern extent of the Metropolitan Borough of Stockport, in Greater Manchester, England. It lies south of Stockport, north-northwest of Macclesfield, and south-southeast of Manchester...
in Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester is a metropolitan county in North West England, with a population of 2.6 million. It encompasses one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United Kingdom and comprises ten metropolitan boroughs: Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Wigan, and the...
, England. Production of various sections of the aircraft was carried out at different BAE plants. The rear fuselage section was manufactured at BAE Systems' former Avro
Avro
Avro was a British aircraft manufacturer, with numerous landmark designs such as the Avro 504 trainer in the First World War, the Avro Lancaster, one of the pre-eminent bombers of the Second World War, and the delta wing Avro Vulcan, a stalwart of the Cold War.-Early history:One of the world's...
site at Chadderton
Chadderton
Chadderton is a town within the Metropolitan Borough of Oldham, in Greater Manchester, England, historically a part of Lancashire...
, near Oldham, Greater Manchester. The center fuselage section was manufactured at the Filton
Filton Aerodrome
Bristol Filton Airport or Filton Aerodrome lies on the border between Filton and Patchway, within South Gloucestershire, north of Bristol, England. The airfield is bounded by the A38 trunk road to the east, the former London to Avonmouth railway line to the south and the Old Filton Bypass road to...
BAE site. The fin came from Brough
Brough Aerodrome
Brough Aerodrome is located at Brough, East Riding of Yorkshire, England.The site was first used by the Blackburn Aeroplane & Motor Company during World War I for the testing of seaplanes....
and the engine pylons were made at Prestwick. The nose section was manufactured at Hatfield, where the assembly line for the early aircraft was located. Some manufacturing was subcontracted outside the UK. The wings were made by Textron
Textron
Textron is a conglomerate that includes Bell Helicopter, E-Z-GO, Cessna Aircraft Company, and Greenlee, among others. It was founded by Royal Little in 1923 as the Special Yarns Company, and is headquartered at the Textron Tower in Providence, Rhode Island, United States.With total revenues of...
in the USA and the tailplane
Tailplane
A tailplane, also known as horizontal stabilizer , is a small lifting surface located on the tail behind the main lifting surfaces of a fixed-wing aircraft as well as other non-fixed wing aircraft such as helicopters and gyroplanes...
and control surfaces were made by Saab-Scania
Saab-Scania
Saab-Scania AB was the name chosen when truck and bus manufacturer Scania-Vabis of Södertälje merged with car and aeroplane manufacturer Saab AB of Trollhättan in 1968, under the Wallenberg family group of companies. The merger meant that Saab no longer had to import the British Triumph Slant-4...
in Sweden. The original Lycoming ALF 502
Honeywell ALF 502
|-See also:-References:Bibliography-External links:* *...
geared turbofan engines were replaced by the higher thrust, derivative Honeywell
Honeywell
Honeywell International, Inc. is a major conglomerate company that produces a variety of consumer products, engineering services, and aerospace systems for a wide variety of customers, from private consumers to major corporations and governments....
LF 507
Honeywell ALF 502
|-See also:-References:Bibliography-External links:* *...
geared turbofan engines with the development of the Avro RJ series, which were housed in redesigned nacelle
Nacelle
The nacelle is a cover housing that holds engines, fuel, or equipment on an aircraft. In some cases—for instance in the typical "Farman" type "pusher" aircraft, or the World War II-era P-38 Lightning—an aircraft's cockpit may also be housed in a nacelle, which essentially fills the...
s. The Avro RJ series also had a slightly modernised cockpit. Production of this aircraft has ended, with the final four aircraft being delivered in October–November 2003. 166 Avro RJ aircraft were delivered between 1993 and 2002.
London City Airport
London City Airport is a single-runway airport. It principally serves the financial district of London and is located on a former Docklands site, east of the City of London, opposite the London Regatta Centre, in the London Borough of Newham in east London. It was developed by the engineering...
, which has a unique steep approach and a short runway.
Problems
The ALF 502 turbofans suffered from some reliability problems. The internal electronics were prone to overheating, which could trigger an automatic shutdown of an engine with no option of in-flight restarting, and certain rare atmospheric conditions caused loss of engine thrust due to internal icing.The BAe 146 experienced aerotoxic syndrome
Aerotoxic syndrome
Aerotoxic syndrome is a term describing the alleged short-term and long-term ill-health effects that are attributed to exposure to cabin air that has been contaminated with atomized engine oils and other chemicals. The documentary film Welcome Aboard Toxic Airlines suggests the term was first...
due to leakage of tricresyl phosphate
Tricresyl phosphate
Tricresyl phosphate, abbreviated TCP, is an organophosphate compound that is used as a plasticizer and diverse other applications. It is a colourless, viscous liquid, although commercial samples are typically yellow...
(TCP) into the plane's bleed air
Bleed air
Bleed air in gas turbine engines is compressed air taken from within the engine, after the compressor stage and before the fuel is injected in the burners. While in theory bleed air could be drawn in any gas turbine engine, its usage is generally restricted to jet engines used in aircraft...
. This has been blamed on problems with leaking engine seals. Neurotoxic fumes have been known to incapacitate pilots.
Variants
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BAe 146-100, Avro RJ70 & BAe 146 Statesman
First flight of the -100 occurred on 3 September 1981, with deliveries commencing in 1983. The launch customer in March 1983 was Dan-AirDan-Air
Dan-Air was a leading private, independentindependent from government-owned corporations airline based in the United Kingdom....
, soon followed by the RAF
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
's Royal Flight. The -100 was the last of the 146 series designs to be developed into the Avro RJ standard with first deliveries of the Avro RJ70 in late 1993. The RJ70 differed from the 146-100 in having FADEC
FADEC
Full Authority Digital Engine Control is a system consisting of a digital computer, called an electronic engine controller or engine control unit , and its related accessories that control all aspects of aircraft engine performance...
LF 507 engines and digital avionics. The RJ70 seats 70 passengers five abreast, 82 six abreast or 94 in high-density configuration. The 146 is the first jet aircraft operated by the British Queen's Flight (later 32 (The Royal) Squadron
No. 32 (The Royal) Squadron RAF
No. 32 Squadron of the Royal Air Force at present operates from RAF Northolt, west London, in the VIP and general air transport roles.-Formation:...
), and entered service in 1986 after two aircraft were leased by the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
for evaluation. The Queen's Flight acquired a total of three 146s, all fitted out with a luxurious bespoke
Bespoke
Bespoke is a term employed in a variety of applications to mean an item custom-made to the buyer's specification...
interior. A complete spare interior was also ordered and held in storage at RAF Stafford
RAF Stafford
RAF Stafford was a non-flying Royal Air Force station in Stafford Staffordshire, England.Originally home to No 16 Maintenance Unit as an Equipment Supply Depot, this part of the station is now run by the Defence Logistics Organisation. No 2 Mechanical Transport Squadron, part of Stafford based 85...
. The aircraft are operated in a VIP configuration with a capacity of 19 passengers and 6 crew. The BAe 146-100QC is the convertible passenger/freight version and the BAe 146-100QT (Quiet Trader) is the freighter version.
BAe 146-200 and Avro RJ85
The 146-200 features a 2.41 m (7 ft 11 in) fuselage extension and reduced cost per seat mileAvailable seat miles
An available seat mile is the fundamental unit of production for a passenger-carrying airline. A unit in this case is one seat, available for sale, flown one mile. For example, an aircraft with 300 seats available for sale flying 1,000 statute miles would generate 300,000 ASMs for that particular...
. The -200 first flew in August 1982 and entered service six months later. The RJ85, the first RJ development of the BAe 146 family, features an improved cabin and the more efficient LF 507 engines. Deliveries of the RJ85 began in April 1993. The RJ85 seats up to 112 passengers. The BAe 146-200QC is the convertible passenger/freight version and the BAe 146-200QT (Quiet Trader) is the freighter version.
BAe 146-300 and Avro RJ100
Designers' initial proposals for the -300, the final development of the 146 product line, included a 3.2 m extension to the fuselage of the -200, more powerful engines and winglets. However due to the requirements of airlines for higher efficiency rather than capacity the production 146-300 emerged as a 2.44 m stretch of the -200, without winglets or the proposed ALF 502R-7. Deliveries began in December 1988. The Avro version of the 146-300, the second such development of the 146 product line, became the RJ100. It shared the fuselage of the 146 version, but with interior, engine and avionics improvements. The most common configuration in the RJ100 seats 100 passengers. The RJ115 seats 116 as standard or up to a maximum of 128 in a high-density layout. A modified version 146-301 is used as a Facility for Airborne Atmospheric MeasurementsFacility for Airborne Atmospheric Measurements
The Facility for Airborne Atmospheric Measurements , based on the Cranfield University campus alongside Cranfield Airport in Bedfordshire, England, is an organisation formed by a collaboration between the Met Office and the Natural Environment Research Council .-Applications:The FAAM was...
(FAAM). The BAe 146-300QC is the convertible passenger/freight version and the BAe 146-300QT (Quiet Trader) is the freighter version.
BAe 146STA
Carrier onboard delivery
Carrier Onboard Delivery is a military term used to describe type of aircraft which are able to ferry personnel, mail, and high-priority cargo on and off a naval ship .-History:...
version.
Of these proposals, only one, the BAe 146STA (Sideloading Tactical Airlifter), based on the BAe 146QT cargo aircraft, and with the same cargo door on the left side of the rear fuselage was built. The military transport version has a refuelling probe protruding from the nose. A demonstrator, fitted with a dummy refuelling probe and an air-openable paratroop door was displayed at the 1989 Paris Air Show and carried out extensive demonstration tours, but no orders resulted.
BAe 146M
In 2009, BAE Systems announced the BAe 146M programme. This aims to sell ex-civilian BAe 146-200 and -300 aircraft to military air arms in either passenger or freighter configuration.Avro RJX series
The RJX-70, RJX-85 and RJX-100 aircraft represented advanced variants of the Avro RJ Series. The RJX series used Honeywell AS977Honeywell HTF7000
-External links:* *...
turbofans for greater efficiency (15% less fuel-burn, 17% increased range), quieter performance and 20% lower maintenance costs. Drukair of Bhutan placed orders for two RJX-85s, while British European placed firm orders for 12 RJX-100s and 8 options. However, BAE Systems terminated the project in December 2001, having completed and flown only three aircraft - a prototype each of the RJX-85 and RJX-100, and a production RJX-100 for British European. BAE reached an agreement with Druk Air and British European in early 2002 in which the airlines agreed not to enforce their firm orders for the RJX. BAE explored the possibility of manufacturing 14 "hybrid" aircraft, however British European at least was unwilling to accept the risk of operating a unique type.
The termination of the RJX project marked the end of complete commercial airliner production in the United Kingdom, though various components for Airbus
Airbus
Airbus SAS is an aircraft manufacturing subsidiary of EADS, a European aerospace company. Based in Blagnac, France, surburb of Toulouse, and with significant activity across Europe, the company produces around half of the world's jet airliners....
aircraft continue to be produced there.
Civilian operators
As of August 2008, a total of 140 BAE 146 aircraft (all variants) remain in airline service. Major operators include:
- Albanian AirlinesAlbanian AirlinesAlbanian Airlines MAK Sh. p.k. was an airline based in Tirana, Albania. It operated scheduled international services. Its main hub was Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza...
(3) - Belle AirBelle AirBelle Air Sh.p.k. is a privately owned low-cost airline, founded in 2005, having its head office in Tirana, Albania,. Belle Air operates international flights on scheduled service to several cities in Italy, Germany, Switzerland, UK, Greece, Belgium and Kosovo out of Tirana International Airport...
(1)
- Cobham Aviation Services Australia (14)
- TNT AirwaysTNT AirwaysTNT Airways, a subsidiary of TNT Express, is a cargo and passenger airline, operating chartered flights to mainly European destinations...
(16)
- TAM (4)
- Air BotswanaAir BotswanaAir Botswana Corporation is the national airline of Botswana, with its head office on the grounds of Sir Seretse Khama International Airport in Gaborone...
(1)
- TABATABA – Transportes Aéreos da Bacia AmazônicaTABA – Transportes Aéreos da Bacia Amazônica was a Brazilian airline founded in 1976. It ceased operations in 1999.-History:On November 11, 1975 the Brazilian Federal Government created the Brazilian Integrated System of Regional Air Transportation and divided the country in five different regions,...
(2)
- Bulgaria AirBulgaria AirBulgaria Air , is the flag carrier airline of Bulgaria, with its head office on the grounds of Sofia Airport in Sofia. The company is owned by Chimimport Inc and is a leader in terms of market share...
(8)
- North Cariboo AirNorth Cariboo AirNorth Cariboo Air is an airline based in Fort St. John, British Columbia. It operates general charter services and support flights for oil and geological exploration companies. Its head office is Fort St. John Airport, Fort St. John, British Columbia. ....
(1) - Tronos (20)
- Aerovías DAPAerovias DAPAerovías DAP is an airline based in Punta Arenas, Chile. It operates scheduled and charterservices in the southern Patagonia area, Antarctic continent and also operates flights on behalf of the state-owned oil company, ENAP. Its main baseIs Carlos Ibanez Del Campo International Airport, Punta...
(1)
:
- China Eastern AirlinesChina Eastern AirlinesChina Eastern Airlines Corporation Limited is an airline headquartered on the grounds of Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport in Changning District, Shanghai, China. It is a major Chinese airline operating international, domestic and regional routes. Its main hubs are at Shanghai Pudong...
(3)
- WDL AviationWDL AviationWDL Aviation is an charter airline based at Cologne Bonn Airport, Germany.-Fleet:As of July 2011, the WDL Aviation fleet consists of the following aircraft:-External links:*...
(5)
- Astra AirlinesAstra AirlinesAstra Airlines is a charter airline based in Thessaloniki, Greece. The new carrier is backed by Greek tour operator Interaviator and launched operations on 5 July 2008.-Destinations:Astra Airlines flies to the following destinations :...
(2)
- Starbow AirlinesStarbow AirlinesStarbow Airlines is a privately owned airline headquartered in Accra, Ghana that operates domestic flights out of its base at the city's Kotoka International Airport..-History:...
(2)
- MDLR AirlinesMDLR AirlinesMDLR Airlines was an airline based in Gurgaon, Haryana, India. It operated scheduled domestic services. It suspended its operations from 5 November 2009.-History:...
(3)
- Aviastar Mandiri
- Penas AirPenas AirPenas Air is an regional airlines in Indonesia. Penas Air serves flight to some cities in Indonesia, such as Jakarta and Ketapang.-Destination:The airline currently serving the following destinations :* Jakarta - Soekarno-Hatta International Airport...
- Riau AirlinesRiau AirlinesRiau Airlines was an airline based in Pekanbaru in the Indonesian province of Riau, Sumatra. It operated domestic and international services out of Sultan Syarif Qasim II International Airport, Pekanbaru...
(2)
- Mahan AirMahan AirMahan Airlines, doing business as Mahan Air, is a private airline based in the Mahan Air Tower in Tehran, Iran. It operates scheduled domestic services and international flights to the Far East, Middle East, Central Asia, and Europe...
(2) - Taban AirTaban Airthumb|right|A Taban Air [[BAe-146]] at [[Mehrabad Airport]], [[Iran]]. thumb|right|A Taban Air [[Tupolev Tu-154M]] at [[Shiraz International Airport]], [[Iran]]....
(2)
- CityJetCityjetCityJet Limited is an Irish regional airline headquartered in the Swords Business Campus in Swords, County Dublin, Ireland. It operates at London City Airport, and flies franchise services on behalf of its parent company Air France from Paris Charles de Gaulle airport. Since the take over of VLM...
(12) - Nex AviationNex AviationNex Aviation was a charter airline, based in Galway, Ireland, which began operations on 1 July 2007, using two former Flightline BAe 146-200. The airline mainly flew from Waterford and Galway on behalf of the Irish regional operator, Aer Arann, during the Summer months.-Fleet:The Nex Aviation fleet...
(1)
- Heritage Air
- eflyEflyEfly is an airline based in Malta. It currently operates charter and ad-hoc flights. For a brief period it operated a route between Malta and Catania, Sicily.-Europe:*Malta**Malta *Italy**Catania...
(1)
- Vincent AviationVincent AviationVincent Aviation is an airline based in Wellington, New Zealand. It operates air charter, freight and subcontract flights with hubs at Wellington International Airport and Darwin International Airport, Australia. It was founded by Peter Vincent in 1992....
(1) - Air NationalAir NationalAir National is an airline based in Auckland, New Zealand. It operates domestic and international charter services and scheduled passenger services for Air New Zealand Link. Its main bases are Auckland International Airport, Wellington International Airport, with a hub at Christchurch International...
- Former operator, ceased flight operations in 2010. - Ansett New ZealandAnsett New ZealandAnsett New Zealand was a wholly owned airline subsidiary of Ansett Australia, serving the New Zealand domestic market between 1987 and 2000. In order to comply with regulatory requirements relating to the acquisition of Ansett Australia by Air New Zealand, Ansett New Zealand was sold to News...
- Former operator, ceased operations in 2001. - Mount Cook Airlines - Former operator.
- Líneas Aéreas ParaguayasLíneas Aéreas ParaguayasLíneas Aéreas Paraguayas - Air Paraguay was founded in 1963 to be the flag carrier airline of Paraguay. Its main base was Silvio Pettirossi International Airport, in Asunción.-Company history:...
(1 BAe 146-300) - Regional ParaguayaRegional ParaguayaRegional Paraguaya , was an airline based at Silvio Pettirossi International Airport, in Asuncion, Paraguay.It officially began operations in July 2008, with chartered services....
(1 BAe 146-200)
- Asian SpiritAsian SpiritZest Airways Inc. is an airline based in the Asian Aeronautics Hangar in the General Aviation Area in Pasay City, Metro Manila in the Philippines. It operates scheduled domestic and international tourist services, mainly feeder services linking Manila and Cebu with 24 domestic destinations in...
(4)
- Star Peru (6)
- CarpatairCarpatairCarpatair S.A. is the largest regional airline in Eastern Europe, based in Timişoara, Romania. It operates services to 34 destinations in Europe. It co-operates closely with Moldavian Airlines on fleet, maintenance and logistics...
(1) - RomaviaRomaviaRomavia, also known as Romanian Aviation Company, is an airline based in Bucharest, Romania. As a state-owned company controlled by the Romanian Ministry of National Defense, it has offered VIP state and ministerial flights, as well as chartered and scheduled passenger and cargo services out of its...
(2)
- AirlinkAirlinkAirlink is an airline based in Johannesburg, South Africa. It is privately owned and has developed into South Africa's first feeder network aimed at linking the smaller towns, regional centers and hubs throughout South Africa...
(4)
- Directflight (operated on behalf of the Facility for Airborne Atmospheric MeasurementsFacility for Airborne Atmospheric MeasurementsThe Facility for Airborne Atmospheric Measurements , based on the Cranfield University campus alongside Cranfield Airport in Bedfordshire, England, is an organisation formed by a collaboration between the Met Office and the Natural Environment Research Council .-Applications:The FAAM was...
) (1).
Some 17 other airlines also operate smaller numbers of the type.
Avro RJ:
As of August 2006, a total of 152 Avro RJ aircraft (all variants) also remain in airline service. Major operators include:
- Brussels AirlinesBrussels AirlinesBrussels Airlines is a flag carrier airline headquartered in the b.house on the grounds of Brussels Airport and in Diegem, Machelen, Belgium and a subsidiary of Lufthansa. It is the largest airline based in Belgium, operating to over 65 destinations in 20 European countries as well as long-haul...
(25)
- Bulgaria AirBulgaria AirBulgaria Air , is the flag carrier airline of Bulgaria, with its head office on the grounds of Sofia Airport in Sofia. The company is owned by Chimimport Inc and is a leader in terms of market share...
(1)
- Atlantic AirwaysAtlantic AirwaysAtlantic Airways is the national airline of the Faroe Islands, operating domestic helicopter services and international passenger services as well as search and rescue responsibilities from its base at Vágar Airport, on the Faroese island of Vágar...
(4)
- Lufthansa CityLineLufthansa CityLineLufthansa CityLine GmbH is a regional airline based in Cologne, Germany. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Lufthansa and member of the Lufthansa Regional network. It is the largest regional airline in Europe. Its main base is Cologne Bonn Airport, with hubs at Frankfurt Airport and Munich Airport...
(18)
- Aegean AirlinesAegean AirlinesAegean Airlines S.A. is the largest Greek airline by total number of passengers carried. A Star Alliance member since June 2010, it operates scheduled and charter services from Athens and Thessaloniki to other major Greek destinations as well as to a number of European destinations...
(6)
- MDLR AirlinesMDLR AirlinesMDLR Airlines was an airline based in Gurgaon, Haryana, India. It operated scheduled domestic services. It suspended its operations from 5 November 2009.-History:...
(2)
- Pelita Air ServicePelita Air ServicePelita Air Service is an airline based in Jakarta, Indonesia. It operates on behalf of the state oil company Pertamina and provides executive transport, charters, oil and gas support operations and general aviation services. Its main base is Pondok Cabe Airport....
- CityJetCityjetCityJet Limited is an Irish regional airline headquartered in the Swords Business Campus in Swords, County Dublin, Ireland. It operates at London City Airport, and flies franchise services on behalf of its parent company Air France from Paris Charles de Gaulle airport. Since the take over of VLM...
(23)
- Eznis AirwaysEznis AirwaysEznis Airways LLC is a scheduled and charter airline based in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. It is the largest domestic airline with services to a number of Mongolian domestic points, with an international route to China and Russia .With its main base located at...
(2)
- AirlinkAirlinkAirlink is an airline based in Johannesburg, South Africa. It is privately owned and has developed into South Africa's first feeder network aimed at linking the smaller towns, regional centers and hubs throughout South Africa...
(1)
- Malmö AviationMalmö AviationMalmö Aviation is a regional airline based in Malmö, Sweden. It operates scheduled services within Sweden from Stockholm, as well as scheduled international services to Belgium and France. Its main base is Malmö Airport, with a hub at Stockholm-Bromma Airport....
(12) - Transwede AirwaysTranswede AirwaysTranswede Airways AB was a charter airline based at Gothenburg-Landvetter Airport in Landvetter, Härryda Municipality, near Gothenburg. Transwede operated flights on wet lease agreements from London City Airport, as well as charter flights. The company was owned by Braathens Aviation...
(6)
- Swiss European Air LinesSwiss European Air LinesSwiss European Air Lines is a subsidiary of Swiss International Air Lines, operating as the latter on some of its short haul routes. Swiss International Air Lines, also known as SWISS, is the successor of Swissair, following that company's grounding in 2001. Like its parent, Swiss European is part...
(20)
- BA CityFlyerBA CityFlyerBA CityFlyer is a wholly owned subsidiary airline of British Airways based in Didsbury, Manchester, England. It operates a network of domestic and European services from London City Airport...
(2) - British AirwaysBritish AirwaysBritish Airways is the flag carrier airline of the United Kingdom, based in Waterside, near its main hub at London Heathrow Airport. British Airways is the largest airline in the UK based on fleet size, international flights and international destinations...
- FlybeFlybeFlybe Group PLC is a British low-cost regional airline headquartered at the Jack Walker House at Exeter International Airport in Devon, England...
- Titan AirwaysTitan AirwaysTitan Airways is a British charter airline based at London Stansted Airport, United Kingdom. It operates contract and ad-hoc passenger and freight charters throughout the world and short notice wet-lease charters for scheduled airlines...
Some 12 other airlines also operate smaller numbers of the type.
Military operators
Bahrain
- Royal Bahraini Air ForceRoyal Bahraini Air ForceThe Royal Bahraini Air Force is the aerial warfare branch of the Bahrain Defense Force. The air force had 650 personnel in 1992 and 1,500 in 2009.- History :...
- Bolivian Air ForceBolivian Air ForceThe Bolivian Air Force is part of the Military of Bolivia.-History:By 1938 the Bolivian air force consisted of about 60 aircraft , and about 300 staff; the officers were...
Libyan Republic
- Free Libyan Air ForceFree Libyan Air ForceThe Free Libyan Air Force is the air force of the National Transitional Council, a collection of defected Loyalist Military personnel and captured aircraft that have aligned themselves with the Anti-Gaddafi forces of the 2011 Libyan civil war.-Operations:...
- Military of MaliMilitary of MaliMali's armed forces are the Army, Air Force, Gendarmerie, Republican Guard, National Guard, and National Police . They number some 7,000 and are under the control of the Minister of Armed Forces and Veterans. The IISS Military Balance 2009 lists an Army of 7,350, Air Force of 400, and Navy of 50...
- Royal Saudi Air ForceRoyal Saudi Air ForceThe Royal Saudi Air Force , is the aviation branch of the Saudi Arabian armed forces. The RSAF has developed from a largely defensive military force into one with an advanced offensive capability...
- Royal Air ForceRoyal Air ForceThe Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
- No. 32 (The Royal) Squadron RAFNo. 32 (The Royal) Squadron RAFNo. 32 Squadron of the Royal Air Force at present operates from RAF Northolt, west London, in the VIP and general air transport roles.-Formation:...
- No. 32 (The Royal) Squadron RAF
- Nepalese Army Air ServiceNepalese Army Air ServiceNepal has no separate Air Force but flies several aircraft within Nepalese Army Service, also known as the Nepal Army Air Wing. It was formed in 1960s, but finally became an air force unit in 1979. It is now again a part of the Army and has very limited combat capabilities. The main objective of...
Notable incidents
The BAe-146/Avro RJ has been involved in seven hull-loss accidents with a total of 259 fatalities.- On 7 December 1987, a Pacific Southwest Airlines Flight 1771PSA Flight 1771Pacific Southwest Airlines Flight 1771 was a commercial flight that crashed near Cayucos, California, United States, on December 7, 1987, as a result of a murder-suicide scheme by one of the passengers. All 43 people on board the aircraft died...
BAe 146-200 (registration N350PS) crashed after a disgruntled former USAir employee aimed a .44 Magnum.44 MagnumThe .44 Remington Magnum, or simply .44 Magnum, is a large-bore cartridge originally designed for revolvers. After introduction, it was quickly adopted for carbines and rifles...
pistol and fired several shots in or near the cockpit area, causing the aircraft to enter a steep nosedive. All of the 43 passengers and crew members on board were killed. At the time airline employees were allowed to bypass security checkpoints. - On 20 February 1991, a chartered LAN Chile BAe 146-200A (registration CC-CET) overran runway 8 while landing at Puerto Williams Airport (WPU), ChileChileChile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
, killing 20 of the 73 people on board. - On 22 March 1992, an Ansett Airlines BAe 146-200A (registration VH-JJP) experienced a failure of all four engines (a condition known as an uncommanded rollback) and the electrical system at night while en-route from Karratha to Perth, Western AustraliaPerth, Western AustraliaPerth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
at 31,000 feet in icing conditions. The aircraft landed safely at Meekatharra following restart of the engines at lower altitude. - On 23 July 1993, a China Northwest Flight 2119China Northwest Flight 2119China Northwest Airlines Flight 2119 was a flight from Yinchuan Hedong Airport, Ningxia to Beijing Capital International Airport, People's Republic of China...
BAe 146-300 (registration B-2716) crashed while attempting to take off from Yinchuan Airport (INC), People's Republic of China. 55 of the 113 passengers and crew were killed. - On 25 September 1998, a PauknAir Flight 4101PauknAir Flight 4101PauknAir Flight 4101 was a British Aerospace BAe 146 that crashed on a flight from Málaga, Spain to the Spanish North African exclave of Melilla. All 38 passengers and crew on board the aircraft were killed in the accident. - The aircraft:...
BAe 146-100 (registration EC-GEO) crashed while on an approach to runway 15 at Melilla AirportMelilla AirportMelilla Airport is an airport located southwest Melilla, Spain . The airport is located near the border with Morocco. The airport was opened in 1969.-Airlines and destinations:- Incidents and accidents :...
(MLN/GEML), Spain. All of the 38 passengers and crew were killed. - On 24 November 2001, Crossair Flight 3597Crossair Flight 3597Crossair Flight LX 3597 was an Avro RJ100 regional airliner, registration HB-IXM, on a scheduled flight from Berlin, Germany to Zurich, Switzerland that crashed during its approach to land at Zurich Airport on 24 November 2001...
Avro RJ-100 (registration HB-IXM) crashed while on a VOR/DME approach to runway 28 at Zürich-Kloten AirportZürich International AirportZurich Airport also called Kloten Airport, is located in the canton of Zurich, Switzerland, and managed by Flughafen Zürich AG. It is Switzerland's largest international flight gateway and hub to Swiss International Air Lines. It is partially in Kloten, Rümlang, Oberglatt, Winkel and Opfikon...
(ZRH/LSZH), Switzerland. 24 of the 33 passengers and crew were killed. - On 8 January 2003, Turkish Airlines Flight 634Turkish Airlines Flight 634- Aircraft :The aircraft, an Avro RJ100 with four Lycoming LF507-1F turbofan engines, was built by British Aerospace with manufacturer serial number E.3241, and made its first flight on March 4, 1994. It was owned by Trident Jet Limited....
, an Avro RJ-100 (registration TC-THG) crashed while on a VOR/DME approach to runway 34 at Diyarbakir AirportDiyarbakir AirportDiyarbakır Airport is a military airbase and public airport located in Diyarbakır, Turkey.Diyarbakır Airport is home to the 8th Air Wing of the 2nd Air Force Command of the Turkish Air Force...
(DIY/LTCC), TurkeyTurkeyTurkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
. 75 of the 80 passengers and crew were killed. - On 10 October 2006, a Atlantic Airways Flight 670Atlantic Airways Flight 670Atlantic Airways Flight 670 was a chartered flight between Stavanger Airport, Sola and Molde Airport, Årø with an intermediate landing at Stord Airport, Sørstokken...
BAe 146-200A (registration OY-CRG) skidded off the runway while landing at Stord AirportStord Airport, SørstokkenStord Airport, Sørstokken is a municipal regional airport located at Sørstokken in Stord, Norway. Located from Leirvik, it is the only airport with scheduled services in Sunnhordland. The airport consists of a single asphalted long 15–33 runway. It is classified as an airport of entry.Danish...
, Norway. The spoilersSpoiler (aeronautics)In aeronautics, a spoiler is a device intended to reduce lift in an aircraft. Spoilers are plates on the top surface of a wing which can be extended upward into the airflow and spoil it. By doing so, the spoiler creates a carefully controlled stall over the portion of the wing behind it, greatly...
did not deploy when the aircraft landed. 3 passengers and 1 crew member were killed, of the 16 persons on board. - On 13 February 2009, a BA CityFlyerBA CityFlyerBA CityFlyer is a wholly owned subsidiary airline of British Airways based in Didsbury, Manchester, England. It operates a network of domestic and European services from London City Airport...
Flight 8456 Avro RJ-100 (Registration G-BXAR) suffered a nosewheel collapse whilst landing at London City AirportLondon City AirportLondon City Airport is a single-runway airport. It principally serves the financial district of London and is located on a former Docklands site, east of the City of London, opposite the London Regatta Centre, in the London Borough of Newham in east London. It was developed by the engineering...
. Four minor injuries were reported.
- On 9 April 2009, a BAe 146-300 belonging to Aviastar Mandiri, an Indonesian charter operator, crashed into the side of Pike Mountain, WamenaWamenaWamena is the capital town of the Jayawijaya Regency of Indonesia. It is the largest town in Indonesian Papua's highlands, in the Baliem Valley and has a population of around 10,000 . Wamena is the urban centre of a rural area housing West Papua's highest concentration of population, with over 300...
and burst into flames killing all six crew after being ordered by the air traffic controller to abort the initial landing attempt.
- On 10 November 2011, an SA Airlink Avro RJ85 made a emergency landing at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa. Shortly after take-off the crew realised there was a problem with the nose wheel. The plane landed with the gear retracted and skidded to a halt. All 73 passengers and four crew survived.