Cello Adds Boeing 737 to its Fleet
Cello Aviation is adding a Boeing 737 to its fleet in a major development for the Birmingham based carrier.
It has purchased a Boeing 737-400 that will become operational with the carrier in early 2015 and is expected to create an additional 25 new jobs.
The acquisition is a major development for Cello that currently operates two aircraft, a BAe 146 in 46 seat luxury configuration and a BAe RJ85 with 82 seats.
When the Boeing, which has just completed a major maintenance check, enters service it will have undergone an interior refit and been painted in Cello colours.
The aircraft has 165 passenger seats but its design allows Cello to offer various fixed and quick change business and economy configurations. It also has a range of over 2,000 nautical miles enabling it to fly direct from the UK to places such as Turkey, The Canaries and North Africa.
It is anticipated that the Boeing 737-400 will result in additional jobs for cabin crew, flight crew and administrative roles at Cello’s base at Birmingham Airport.
Cello Aviation was founded in 2010 and has become established as a major player in the European VIP charter sector but has also been broadening its portfolio to take on sub charter flying (ACMI) in support of other carriers including British Airways Cityflyer and Flybe.
“We have been looking to introduce a Boeing 737 to our fleet for several months and it has been a case of waiting for the right aircraft to become available,” said Vince Essex, Head of Commercial.
“This will give us increased flexibility and the opportunity to carry larger numbers of passengers’ greater distances.”
Nim Baines, Chief Executive of Cello Aviation, said as it expands, the carrier is broadening its strategy to provide a bigger portfolio of aviation services.
“Our name has been built upon our success as a VIP charter operator and this will remain a very important part of the business,” said Nim.
“But we have also been extremely successful in operating on behalf of major scheduled carriers and we intend to build upon this growth in the business area.
“The Boeing 737 is the most successful commercial airliner of all time with over 7,700 being delivered and demonstrates by this fact that it is still going strong half a century after the first versions entered service.
“It is an aircraft that offers flexibility and low operating costs as well as the ability if needed to fly large numbers of people in comfort considerable distances.”
By adding the Boeing 737-400 Cello Aviation now has a fleet of aircraft to meet a wide range of customer requirements. The addition of further aircraft to the Cello Aviation fleet forms part of the company’s growth strategy.
Cello Aviation is part of the Gill Group of companies.