Operational History
In May 1983, British airline Dan-Air became the first carrier to launch services using on British Aerospace's new 146; the first revenue-earning service was flown between London Gatwick Airport and Berne Airport. On 1 July 1984, the first of 20 BAe 146s ordered by Pacific Southwest Airlines was officially delivered. Air Wisconsin was another major US operator of the 146, replacing their fleet of turbo-prop Fokker F27 Friendships with the type. It was announced in January 1987 that the BAe 146 had been selected to launch the first jet services from London City Airport, it was chosen due to its unmatched flying characteristics to operate from so-called STOLports.
The 146 was introduced into Royal Air Force service in 1986 as a VIP transport; it was the first jet aircraft to be operated by 32 (The Royal) Squadron. According to Flight International, at least 25 executive aircraft have been produced for various customers, many of these had undergone conversions following airline operations.
The initial customer for the BAe RJ85 series was Crossair, who took delivery of their first aircraft on 23 April 1993.
Several major cargo operators have operated the type. As of 2012, the BAe 146 QT is the most numerous aircraft in TNT Airways's air freighter fleet. In 2012, it was announced that the RAF would acquire the BAe 146M as an interim transport aircraft between the retirement of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules and the introduction of the larger Airbus A400M Atlas.
Read more about this topic: British Aerospace 146
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