Jota Aviation signs LoI on third BAE Avro Regional Jet RJ100 to join charter fleet next month.

Wednesday 29th March 2017

Jota Aviation, the independently owned ACMI charter airline confirmed today the signing of a Letter of Intent (LOI) with leasing company Falko Regional Aircraft for an Avro RJ100 regional jet.  The ex-Brussels Airlines aircraft (Serial Number E3355) is due to arrive at Jota Aviation's London Southend Airport base before the end of April, joining an Avro RJ85 and BAe 146-200.  Jota Aviation Managing Director Andy Green confirmed the news as the European Regions Airline Association gathered for its 2017 Spring Meeting in Copenhagen.

"We are delighted to have identified a highly suitable aircraft and the Jota Group will be purchasing the jet from Falko later next month," commented Andy Green.  It will be re-registered to fly under the G register as G-JOTS.  Jota Aviation also intends to further expand the fleet with a dedicated freighter variant too, as previously announced.

The aircraft is scheduled to go into service in May with  97 seats configured in a five abreast layout, following a maintenance check at Avalon Aero at Cranfield Airport and full repaint to Jota's colours.   "Its arrival will be well timed for the summer period when the legacy carriers get busier and tend to depend on sub charter, short term leases," said Head of Commercial Mike Sessions.

Europe's legacy and regional airlines are progressing with their plans to phase out this aircraft type companies, including Malmo, Swiss International, CityJet, so the supply is there for us, especially for London City Airport, he added.

The new RJ100 will join Jota's Avro RJ85; BAe 146-200 and two Beechcraft King Air turboprops, one of which is dedicated to freight.

About Jota Aviation:

Jota Aviation is part of the independent Jota Group, which also comprises Jota Sport, Jota Design and Jota Historic.  Set up over six years ago to cater for the travel and cargo demands of the motorsports industry, Jota Aviation has grown to be a leading specialist air charter operator serving the UK and Europe with passenger and cargo flights focused on Beechcraft King Airs, and moving into BAe 146 jet operations in October 2014. The company is run by Andy Green, Managing Director and CAA post holder, who set up the company for the directors of Jota Sport in 2009.

Jota Aviation was granted a type B operating licence in September 2010, initially flying light piston aircraft and then progressing to Beechcraft King Airs. The Company gained it's A licence in 2014 with the introduction of the BAE Avro RJ series.

Jota Sport: The racing division of the JOTA Group currently competes in the European Le Mans Series plus selected rounds of the FIA World Endurance Championship including the Le Mans 24 Hours - a race JOTA Sport first contested in 2005 and has claimed a top-six overall placing in. Including runners up in the European Le Mans series and winning the coveted Le Mans 24 hour race in LMP2 in 2014 and second placed in 2015. Jota Sport has also competed successfully in the American Le Mans Series, British GT Championship, Le Mans Series, Le Mans Endurance Series and FIA Sportscar Championship since its formation in 2000 as well as the Spa and Nürburgring 24 Hour races.

Jota Historic focuses on restoring and running historic race cars at Blue-Ribbon events such as the Le Mans Classic and Goodwood. Built on a foundation of supreme attention to detail, dedication and expertise, Jota Historic offers a turnkey operation from restoration, race car setup, race weekend support and performance driver coaching.

Jota Design specialises in the design, development and manufacture of road, race and rally projects. The knowledge and experience gained through motorsport competition is directly translated into all the projects that Jota Design is tasked with, from major OEM projects for the likes of Mazda through to individual vehicle performance enhancement

The Jota Group is majority owned by British businessman and entrepreneur Simon Dolan, who is involved in several financial industries.  A Le Mans racing driver he set up racing team Jota Sport in 2008.

About Falko

Falko was formed in July 2011 when funds managed by Fortress Investment Group completed the purchase of BAE Systems Asset Management and its associated aircraft portfolio. Falko now manages a portfolio of regional jets and turboprops manufactured by BAE Systems, Bombardier, Embraer and Boeing on lease to operators worldwide.

Falko has a clear growth strategy and intends to continue to expand the business and grow its portfolio of aircraft and services with particular focus on the regional aircraft market. With offices in Europe, Asia, South America and Australasia, Falko is well positioned to deliver a range of solutions across the globe.