British Antarctic Survey (BAS) is looking to purchase a small passenger aircraft to work alongside its de Havilland Canada DHC-7 Series 110 (Dash 7). The aircraft will transport science and support teams and cargo between Rothera Research Station on the Antarctic Peninsula and Punta Arenas, Chile.

As part of a major Antarctic infrastructure modernisation programme, the procurement will provide operational resilience and capability for at least five years commencing in the 2020/21.

With a budget of GB£5.5M (US$6.96 million), BAS is inviting bids from suppliers who can either provide an aircraft complete with any necessary modifications to meet its specification, or who can offer an aircraft capable of modification. The selected model will carry a passenger and cargo payload of a minimum of 550 kg, and fly 923 nm from Punta Arenas to Rothera Research Station, landing on a 876 m compacted gravel runway.

Rothera Research Station is the hub that supports BAS' airborne capability. Its gravel runway supports a fleet of five aircraft, specially adapted for flying in the extreme climate of the Antarctic. Four De Havilland Canada Twin Otters and one De Havilland Canada Dash 7 are each equipped with modifications to allow them to carry out airborne science surveys.

BAS, an institute of the Natural Environment Research Council, delivers and enables interdisciplinary research in the Polar Regions. Its skilled science and support staff based in Cambridge, UK, as well as Antarctica and the Arctic, work together to deliver research that uses the Polar regions to advance understanding of Earth as a sustainable planet. Through its logistic capability and know-how, BAS facilitates access for the British and international science community to the UK polar research operation.