Harrods Wins the Double As Aircraft Start Arriving
Business is buzzing at Harrods Aviation. It has just become UK and Ireland sales and distribution agent for both Embraer and Sikorsky, and is spending millions of dollars on expansion at its London-Luton FBO. As if that's not enough, Harrods is particularly excited about its potential FBO link up with Embraer at Paris-Le Bourget. And for the icing on the cake, it has recently taken delivery of the first VVIP-configured Sikorsky S-92 on behalf of a client.
The Embraer dealership agreement covers sales for the long-legged Legacy executive jet, and in the longer-term shuttle/corporate versions of both the 78-seat Embraer 170 and the 106-seat Embraer 190. "The availability of a corporate 170 is still a couple of years away and the 190 version even farther down the track," says Mike Creed, Harrods Aviation's sales director, noting that the Brazilian factory is flat-out producing the 170 airliner in its first year of deliveries and the 190 is still in flight test.
Harrods is currently negotiating with Embraer to have a $22 million Legacy demonstrator based at Luton from the beginning of next year, available for charter and managed by Harrods in a jv with the airframer. "It hasn't been agreed yet but we are close to closing the deal," said Creed. "We might well make a Legacy sales announcement here at NBAA." Legacy production is sold out this year and for part of next year, he noted.
Harrods's CEO Steve Grimes indicated last year that the company intended to open its first non-UK FBO at Paris-Le Bourget. This has now become a firm possibility as a result of the new close relationship with Embraer, which has its European parts distribution center based there. "Firstly, we are talking to Embraer about jointly utilizing this facility as a Harrods FBO, and in due course opening an aircraft engineering center there, as well," Creed told ShowNews.
On September 22, Harrods took delivery of the world's first corporate Sikorsky S-92 helicopter, with 19-seat VVIP interior, that it will maintain and manage for a customer via its London-Stansted-based helicopter arm, Air Harrods. Creed was very coy about the cost of the completed helicopter. The B/CA 2004 Purchase Planning Handbook suggests a list price of around $15.3 million (in 2003 dollars), but does not specify if this includes the cost of a corporate interior.
Harrods' new distributorship deal with the U.S. helicopter maker covers the S-76C+, S-92 and all future models according to Creed. It has ordered a Sikorsky S-76C+ as European demonstrator, due for delivery in July 2005. "Our S-76C+ will incorporate many new refinements which haven't been incorporated on the C+ model before, but I can't say much more at the moment," he said. The company currently operates two S-76Bs.
Harrods is currently building its second mega-hangar at London-Luton, capable of housing several BBJ-sized aircraft. Extra ramp space is also being added to meet the increased demand. "We are getting 25 to 30 'big jet' movements per day," noted Creed, "Luton movements are up dramatically. We are spending many millions (there) and expanding rapidly, but in a controlled manner."
