BAE Systems Regional Aircraft expanded its freighter operations portfolio during 2006 and brought in more than US$350 million of new business overall, managing director Alan Fraser said.

The ATP freighter programme secured further leases from lead operator West Air Sweden as well as business from new customers Atlantic Airlines, First Flight Couriers and Magic Bird.

Regional Aircraft secured six further new customers covering the BAe 146/ Avro RJ, ATP passenger turboprop, and Jetstream 41. Fraser said growing involvement in freighter conversion programme has been extended by the re-launch of the 10-12 tonne BAe 146QT (Quiet Trader) freighter conversion in a programme expected to be finalised shortly with Romanian aerospace companies.

¨C John Spiers