A proud day for Falko
October 29th 2020 was a proud but sad day for all at Falko as the last British built Avro RJ was sold from the portfolio.
Falko Regional Aircraft, “Falko” was formed on July 15th 2011 when funds managed by Fortress Investment Group completed the purchase of BAE Systems Asset Management (“Asset Management”) and its associated portfolio which included 103 jets consisting of 14 BAe 146 & 89 Avro RJ.
Founded in 1993, Asset Management was formed to manage a portfolio of British built aircraft, including the BAe 146 and its successor the Avro RJ with both aircraft being built at Hatfield and finally with the RJ at Woodford, before production of the most successful British commercial airliner came to a close in 2002. At its peak Asset Management had over 300 BAe 146 and Avro RJ aircraft in its portfolio.
The first flight of the BAe 146-100, E1001, took place at Hatfield on the 3rd September 1981 with the first aircraft, entering commercial service with Dan-Air in 1983. A total of 391 aircraft were built during the production years, consisting of 221 BAe 146 and 170 Avro RJ. The aircraft has been in service with 117 different operators across the world since entry into service. The aircraft continues in operation with 93 aircraft flying in different capacities with 32 operators,
The Avro RJ was the last commercial aircraft to be built in the UK. Avro was founded in 1910 by Alliott Verdon Roe in Manchester. Its designs include the Avro 504, used as a trainer in the First World War, the Avro Lancaster, one of the pre-eminent bombers of the Second World War, and the delta wing Avro Vulcan, a stalwart of the Cold War.
For many of us at Falko the aircraft has been a large part of our lives but for all of us at Falko, it’s the end of an era, and a fond farewell as the last of the type leaves our portfolio.
