The UK-based Gill Group, which is developing worldwide business in regions including the Middle East, is preparing to bring a 46-seat BAe 146-200 into service to increase business efficiency.

Nim Baines, Gill Group coo, says: "The ABJ offers a very practical and cost-effective solution to our corporate travel needs and we very much look forward to integrating it into our business."

The ABJ will enter service during the second quarter of 2010 and will be based within the Midlands region of the UK. Upon entering service the aircraft will be operated by Gill Group's newly-formed 'in-house' flight department.

The aircraft was sourced by the Bristol-based Waypoint Aviation which advised Gill Group throughout the acquisition and is project manager of its conversion into a 46-seat executive shuttle.

The Gill Group, founded by ceo and owner Raj Gill, specialises in large airport and motorway infrastructure construction. The company has offices in the UK and UAE and a new apron area at Abu Dhabi international airport is among projects it has completed.

The Gill Group is made up of six companies. Gill says: "Although each company runs efficiently on its own merits, it is a collective. A mainstay of the group is Gill Civil Engineering Ltd which made its name in slip form paving together with ancillary placement of pavement quality concrete.

"This division is backed up by Titan Plant Hire Ltd who specialises in the sale and hire of non-mechanical and mechanical plant." The group also has three branches of Discount Builders Merchants Ltd while Gill Aggregates completes the line-up.

Gill Group continues: "We are always looking for new ventures and the opportunity to expand. We have recently established Gill Rail Services Ltd which will be involved in track maintenance works nationwide. The ABJ will enable us to respond quickly and effectively in this and our other sectors."

Stewart Cordner, vp Avro Business Jets for BAE Systems Asset Management, says that sales of the Avro Business Jet have increased significantly in the past 18 months. "The combination of a pre-owned BAe 146/Avro RJ together with an innovative interior is providing a strong, cost-effective contender for the larger business jet market and at a fraction of the cost and timescale of new production line aircraft."He says that more than 26 ABJs have been delivered to, or contracted by, governments, high net worth individuals, charter companies and corporate shuttle operators.