Aircraft cleaning specialist Up & Away Aviation Services has added four further Mercedes-Benz Vito vans to its fleet after its existing vehicles proved cost-effective in operation.
The firm, established in 2008, provides a range of cleaning services for aeroplanes and helicopters, including Covid-19 decontaminations. It acquired its first Mercedes-Benz vehicles – a pair of X-Class pickups – from Mercedes-Benz vans dealer Rygor in 2018. Five mid-sized Vito vans followed shortly afterwards, with a small Citan entering service last year.
The company has now purchased another four Vito vans, three of which are being assigned to a new contract, which sees Up & Away become responsible for valeting 20 commercial aircraft at Leeds Bradford Airport. The remaining vehicle is already working on an established operation at Stansted Airport, where it looks after 60 aircraft.
Run under a Mercedes-Benz Finance contact hire agreement, the new vans are all long-bodied Vito 110 CDI L2 Progressive models, with 2.0-litre turbodiesel engines, married up with six-speed manual transmissions and front-wheel drive.
Managing director Stefan Murphy commented: “As they’re based airside our vans don’t cover big mileages but the Vito has proved to be highly cost-effective to run. It’s the ideal size for our cleaning teams, who appreciate the sliding load doors on both sides, while the light steering and very good turning circle are also a big advantage given that space on airfields is always very well utilised.
“Every bit as important to us, though, is the Mercedes-Benz brand association. We strive always to present a premium quality corporate image, and the three-pointed star complements this perfectly.”
