Grapevine: Jumbo Deal for Stoddart's Airline

Minardi boss Paul Stoddart and his company European Aviation have announced the purchase of five Boeing 747-200 aircraft from British Airways that will shortly begin operating.

Aside from the newly acquired Jumbos being used for the mainstream charter activities that form the core of European Aviation's business, at least one of the 747 will fly to each of the 'long-haul' rounds of the 2002 Formula One World Championship.

The Jumbo will provide transport for the team's staff, as well for personnel from other Grand Prix teams interested in flight timings specifically geared to the demanding schedule of a Formula One weekend.

"We are very pleased to have concluded this deal with British Airways, a company with whom European Aviation has a longstanding commercial relationship, said Stoddart. "We look forward to our first experience of 'wide-body' flying and the new markets this opens up for the company.

"In addition, it will permit us to extend our Formula One flights to all long-haul events in 2002, allowing not only European Minardi staff, but also personnel from other Grand Prix teams to experience the legendary service, comfort and convenience for which European Aviation has become known and of which the company is justly proud."