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BAE SYSTEMS Regional Aircraft and Emerald Airways of Liverpool, UK have signed contracts under which the airline will take delivery of three ATP aircraft converted to freighters and equipped with the Large Freight Door (LFD).

All three aircraft are currently being converted at the Romaero facility at Baneasa, Bucharest and will be delivered to the airline during the fourth quarter of 2004.

The first aircraft to be delivered (msn 2015) has been obtained on long-term lease from Regional Aircraft.

The two other aircraft are owned by Emerald Airways, having been acquired from Biman Bangladesh Airlines. Regional Aircraft has signed contracts for the conversion of these aircraft and has slotted them into the Romaero conversion line.

Andy Janes, founder and Chairman of Emerald Airways said today, “ The addition of the ATP freighter to our fleet of Shorts SD360s and BAe 748s means that we can now offer a portfolio of turboprop freighters embracing the 3.7/6.3/8.4-tonne segments to our existing customer base. Over the years we have been successful in marketing to major integrators and other freight and postal service providers and we are confident that the ATPF, and in particular its containerised capability with the large freight door, will prove popular.”

Emerald Airways becomes the second operator of the ATPF and Paul Stirling, Senior Vice President Asset Management of Regional Aircraft noted, “There is now a real momentum with the ATPF programme as the market realises that the combination of the high quality and extremely competitive Romaero Large Freight Door conversion, coupled with attractive lease rates makes the aircraft a compelling acquisition for regional freight airlines. We welcome Emerald Airways as a new ATPF customer and feel confident that other new customers will be signed up in the not distant future.”

In addition to its three LFD freighter ATPs Emerald Airways is also converting a further ATP into an E-Class bulk freighter at its Blackpool engineering facility. The airline also operates an additional two ATP passenger aircraft on the five-times daily Liverpool- Isle of Man service and flying under the brand name of FlyJem www.flyjem.com Ad hoc passenger charters are also performed. Further expansion of ATP scheduled passenger operations by Emerald Airways is planned.

Emerald Airways was founded in 1992 by Andy Janes and his wife Hilary and has been built up into the largest regional freight operator in Europe. A fleet of 11 Shorts SD360 freighters is operated alongside 14 BAe 748s (the largest commercial operator of the type) as well as the two passenger ATPs and the soon-to-be-operational four ATPFs. The company employs 250 staff and has annual sales in excess of Ł25 million.

About BAE SYSTEMS Regional Aircraft:
BAE SYSTEMS Regional Aircraft is responsible for Customer Support, Engineering and Asset Management activities, covering a world-wide base of 160 customers operating over 1,100 aircraft in addition to managing a trading and leasing portfolio of some 350 aircraft.

About BAE SYSTEMS
BAE SYSTEMS is an international company engaged in the development, delivery and support of advanced defence and aerospace systems in the air, on land, at sea and in space. The company designs, manufacturers and supports military aircraft, surface ships, radar, avionics, communications, electronics and guided weapon systems. It is a pioneer in technology with a heritage stretching back hundreds of years. It is at the forefront of innovation, working to develop the next generation of intelligent defence systems.

BAE SYSTEMS has major operations across five continents and customers in some 130 countries. The company has more than 90,000 people and generates annual sales of approximately Ł12 billion through its wholly-owned and joint venture operations.
BAE SYSTEMS, innovating for a safer world.

For further information, please contact:
David Dorman, BAE Systems
Tel: +44 (0) 1582 488336 Fax: +44 (0) 1582 488447

Issued by:
BAE Systems, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 6YU, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1252 384605 Fax: +44 (0) 1252 383947
www.baesystems.com

Ref: 126/2004