BAE Systems and Quest International of the UK have combined to launch a cabin air system that they say can destroy airborne viruses and bacteria, including swine flu, Sars, bird flu and eColi. AirManager has been flight tested on BAE 146/Avro RJ regional airliners operated by five European carriers, and has been selected by one undisclosed carrier for its fleet. BAE holds an STC to fit the system to the 146/Avro RJ series, as well as for the Boeing 757, and has indicated it is willing to seek an STC for any other aircraft type, including business jets. AirManager uses Quest’s patented close-coupled field technology through which a contained electrical field breaks down the molecular structure of airborne pathogens, contaminants and toxins and destroys them. It also eliminates smells in the process. The unit screens all air coming into the cabin once the aircraft door is closed. For an aircraft the size of a 146/Avro RJ two units–each costing approximately $16,000 and weighing about 10 pounds–are required, but for most business aircraft only one unit would be needed. Installation can be done during overnight line maintenance, with labor costs of about 20 man-hours.