EnComm sues BAE Systems for halting ATP support

EnComm Aviation is suing BAE Systems after the manufacturer informed the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority that it will formally surrender the ATP aircraft type certificate and cease supporting the remaining active regional turboprops in service. Kenya-based EnComm’s ATP freighter fleet has been grounded since BAE Systems withdrew support for the aircraft earlier this year, making it impossible for the carrier to continue operating the regional turboprops, EnComm told Cargo Facts . [caption id="attachment_57293732" align="alignright" width="1200"] EnComm had added about eleven ATP freighters to its fleet. (Courtesy/EnComm Aviation)[/caption] EnComm received its AOC in 2024 after forming a joint venture in May 2023 with Kenya-based Transafrican Air to operate two ATP freighters (2017 and 2006) on a CMI bas is. In addition to units 2006 and 2017, the startup regional carrier had added at least nine ATP freighters to its fleet and was planning to add a tenth unit (2038), which arrived in NBO on May 4. The remaining spare parts for the regional freighters and a training simulator were included in the deal with West Atlantic, EnComm said. BAE’s decision to surrender its ATP certificate back to the U.K. CAA came after the manufacturer received a $13.4 billion contract to provide Norway frigates designed for anti-submarine warfare, according to a Dec. 8 EnComm release. BAE did not formally share its decision with EnComm or advise it. BAE sent email confirmations saying it would continue to support EnComm for five years as long as at least one ATP aircraft type remained in operation, the airline said. The ATP turboprop was certified by EASA in 1988. BAE produced sixty-one units before it stopped manufacturing the type in 1993. Permanent withdrawal BAE decided to permanently surrender the aircraft type certificate to the CAA and aims to complete this by December 2026, according to a May 25 notice circulated by BAE Systems seen by Cargo Facts . EnComm and BAE did not confirm the actual date the support for the ATPs was terminated. EnComm is the only operator of the ATP passenger and freighter types, and several suppliers, including Safran Landing Gear, also planned to discontinue support for the aircraft, according to the notice. BAE’s decision has grounded EnComm’s ATP fleet, forcing the carrier to cancel its humanitarian flights to Somalia and bringing its revenue stream to a halt, EnComm said. The carrier is now in jeopardy of defaulting on its $16 million financing agreement with Sweden-based West Atlantic for the purchase of four ATP aircraft, backed by Sweden-based Svensk Exportkredit and the Exportkreditnamnden, which acted as the financier and underwriter, the release said. The Kenyan startup has filed a lawsuit in London and is seeking $250 million in punitive damages, claiming negligent misrepresentation and misstatement by BAE, it said. Relief flights cut short EnComm had delivered 18,677 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Chad before it ceased operations in September. The carrier will continue to aid the humanitarian effort and assist with coordinating additional lift while its aircraft remain grounded, it said. EnComm will await the outcome of the legal proceedings before evaluating other regional freighter types for its operations, the carrier said. Cargo Facts LATAM 2026, the essential event for stakeholders in Latin America, will take place Feb. 10-12 at the Marquis Reforma in Mexico City. Learn more and register by Dec. 26 to take advantage of early-bird pricing. Cargo Facts Asia 2026, the indispensable event for Asia-Pacific stakeholders, will take place March 23-25 at the W Shanghai. Learn more and register by Feb. 6 to take advantage of early-bird pricing. The inaugural Cargo Facts Routes and Airport Conference will take place April 27-28 at the Marriott Al Forsan Abu Dhabi. Learn more and register by March 13 to take advantage of early-bird pricing. Cargo Facts EMEA 2026, the key industry event for stakeholders in the EMEA region, will take place April 28-30 at the Marriott Al Forsan Abu Dhabi. Learn more and register by March 13 to take advantage of early-bird pricing.

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