Debut At Dubai Air Show

BAE Systems is displaying an Avro Business Jet (ABJ) for the first time at the Dubai Air Show (November 15-19).

The ABJ is an RJ70 delivered in late 2008 to Bulgaria Air after conversion at Inflite Engineering Services at London-Stansted Airport. Featuring an interior designed by Design Q of the UK, the aircraft is operated on behalf of the airline's parent company, the Varna-based diversified industrial group TIM.

The modern, innovative mood-lit cabin has a double club-4 executive seating, dining and divan area at the front, with a separate 12-seat business class seating cabin at the rear. Sliding pocket doors separate the two cabin areas. The front entrance area has been converted into a welcoming bar area. There is a state-of-the-art inflight entertainment system featuring a Bang & Olufsen 42 inch plasma TV screen, as well as a number of smaller TV screens with multi-channel access and there is also full in-flight connectivity.

The aircraft is available for executive charter and has proven to be a winner in attracting a diverse clientele from around the world. This summer the aircraft was used to fly the internationally famous rock band Santana on their European tour. Heads of State are also using the ABJ and recently the ABJ flew the President of Moldova on a return flight between Kishinev and Athens. International business people are also regular users, particularly Bulgarian and Russian executives and in August a Saudi Prince charted the aircraft to fly himself and his family from Athens to Riyadh.

According to Bulgaria Air Senior Pilot Valeri Dimitrov, the ABJ has proven very popular. He said:

"Our VIP passengers really like the interior of the cabin, its high ceiling, the space inside, the finish, the capabilities of the Bang & Olufsen entertainment system, and the positioning and luxury of the sofas and seats.