BAE Systems announced at the Future of Business Jets Conference in London that it has sold an Avro Business Jet to UK-based Gill Group. Announcing this latest success in his conference address, Stewart Cordner, Vice President Avro Business Jets for BAE Systems Asset Management said: “Sales of the Avro Business Jet have increased significantly in the past 18 months clearly demonstrating that the combination of a pre-owned BAe 146/Avro RJ together with an innovative interior results in a strong, cost-effective contender for the larger business jet market and at a fraction of the cost and timescale of new production line aircraft.”

The aircraft acquired by Gill Group is a BAe 146-200 which has just been delivered. Bristol-based Waypoint Aviation sourced the aircraft and advised Gill Group throughout the acquisition of the aircraft and will project manage the conversion into a 46-seat executive shuttle.

The Avro Business Jet (ABJ) will enter service during the second quarter of 2010 and will be based within the Midlands region of the UK. Upon entering service the aircraft will be operated by Gill Group’s newly-formed ‘in house’ flight department.

The Gill Group, founded by Chief Executive and owner Mr Raj Gill, specialises in large airport and motorway infrastructure construction. The company has offices in the UK and UAE and has recently completed a new apron area at Abu Dhabi International Airport.

Mr Nim Baines, Chief Operating Officer for the Gill Group said: "The ABJ offers a very practical and cost-effective solution to our corporate travel needs and we very much look forward to integrating it into our business.”

The addition of Gill Group to the list of ABJ customers means that there are now 26 ABJs delivered or contracted. The aircraft has been acquired by governments, individuals, and corporate shuttle operators. Executive charter operators are also customers and the market in Europe for such specialist services is proving to be robust.