Bulgaria's Hemus Air has acquired an RJ70 for conversion into a full corporate interior for use by its parent company, the Varna-based diversified industrial group TIM. The group has extensive business interests across banking, insurance, pension funds and oil and gas prospecting.

"It is one of at least six Avro business jets that will enter service this year with five vip operators," says Andy Whelan, sales executive for BAE Systems Regional Aircraft. "There are around 23 BAe 146/Avro RJs that are in service or being converted for a variety of corporate roles - some six per cent of total production of the aircraft. BAE Systems is working on several other potential ABJ deals."

There is interest from vip operators of aging converted jet airliners, high net worth individuals and entrepreneurs, large corporations with a demanding travel profile, charter companies and airlines that require executive operations. "The upsurge in demand looks likely to continue for the forseeable future," Whelan says.

TIM says that the interior has been designed by Design Q of the U.K. There is a dining and divan area with separate 12-seat business class seating cabin for company support staff. Inflite Engineering Services, based at London Stansted, believes it will complete the conversion by the third quarter of this year.

First Kuwait Trading & Contracting has acquired a BAe 146-200 which will be used as a corporate shuttle for company personnel servicing construction projects in the Middle East and Asia. The company says that pluses include the operational performance, large cabin and competitive pricing. Whelan says: "A European operator has also purchased an RJ70 for charter."