Fresh from signing a new agreement with Chevron Australia to provide aviation services to support the massive Gorgon LNG project off the coast of Western Australia, Cobham Aviation Services Australia has signed agreements with BAE Systems Regional Aircraft to lease two additional Avro RJ100s and extend the lease on a BAe 146-300 already operated by the airline.
The first of the two new RJ100s will be delivered to the airline in early 2010 with the second due in 2011. Both aircraft will be configured in a 99-seat layout to cater for passengers flying between Perth and Barrow Island, which is a Class A nature reserve and as such the jets will meet unique quarantine requirements.
Commenting on the additions to the company’s fleet, CEO Peter Nottage said, “With their low operating costs our fleet of BAe 146s have proved their value and versatility. The newer Avro RJ100s represent a technology upgrade for Cobham. We believe this aircraft will prove a winner for our clients and for the passengers who will come to rely on it and it will be just as successful as the BAe 146.”
Cobham recently signed a $170 million contract with Chevron to provide shuttle services to support Gorgon over six years, which will also see the carrier subcontract a shuttle service from Karratha to Barrow Island to provide additional connectivity.
