Ian Austin says Jet Exchange will now be pursuing an aggressive growth strategy, looking to acquire further aircraft for the fleet in the near future

What's happening in the world of operations

FAI bolsters Russian and CIS business with a series of customer events

Germany-headquartered FAI Aviation Group is looking to augment its activity across Russia and the CIS region by launching a series of customer-focused events. The first took place on 14 July when director of business development, Russia and the CIS Victor Rudnow invited brokers, partners and business aviation professionals to view FAI's Global Express at Moscow's Vnukovo-3 airport.

Rudnow says: “It was great to welcome not only current but also new brokerage customers who have a variety of needs and now understand we have a range of aircraft to fulfill their requests. Many hadn't realised just how much versatility we have across our fleet of 20 aircraft.

“We timed this event just ahead of the summer season when many Russians will be flying to their preferred holiday destinations. Nice, the Greek Islands and southern Spain are particularly popular and our jets can easily transport the whole family and their luggage in style and comfort.”

DC Aviation subsidiary operates under new name

Zurich-based Jet-Link AG/Heli-Link AG, a subsidiary of DC Aviation, is now operating under the name DC Aviation Switzerland. “Renaming the company is perfectly in synch with our effort to further develop the DC Aviation brand. This logical step also sends a clear and strong signal to the Swiss market,” explains DC Aviation Group CEO Michael Kuhn.

GlobeAir reports strong growth as European private jet market downsizes

For the first quarter of this year Austria's GlobeAir, an operator of very light Mustang jets, made 1,066 revenue flights out of Europe, 6.4 per cent more than during the same period in 2015.

Growth is in part being fuelled by an increasing number of private jet owners selling their aircraft and opting to charter instead but, as CEO Bernard Fragner says: “There is also a clear trend for downsizing in the European business aviation market, and this has led to an increase in demand for small-cabin aircraft.

“Last year our fleet saw an 11.7 per cent increase in revenue flights across Europe when compared to 2014. Our revenue for 2015 was $20.8 million, and this year we expect it to be nearer $25.8 million. We believe that demand for smaller private jets will continue, and we are planning to add to our fleet of 14 Citation Mustangs this year and in 2017.”

JetMagic undergoes Aruban air operator certification

JetMagic is in the process of applying for an Aruba AUA-OPS 1 AOC and has established a subsidiary, JetMagic Aruba, with headquarters on the island. Aruba's AOC will enable JetMagic to operate its BBJ, P4-BBJ, for worldwide commercial air operations.

Jet Aviation Flight Services introduces charter services to Cuba

Jet Aviation Flight Services has been granted FAA approval to begin charter services to and from Cuba. Vice president and general manager Don Haloburdo says: “Cuba is the largest island in the Caribbean and the closest Caribbean destination to the United States, which makes it a prime destination for our customers. We strive to anticipate the needs of our customers and this approval strengthens our ability to provide them with the highest level of service.”

Europ Star partners with AliParma

Austria-based Europ Star has expanded its charter fleet with a Beech 400 and a Hawker 800XP. Both aircraft are based in Parma, Italy, under the AOC of AliParma.

Jet Exchange secures UK AOC Aircraft management company

Jet Exchange has secured an AOC from the UK Civil Aviation Authority. The Jet Exchange fleet now includes a Challenger 604 based at London Luton airport. The company is also approved by DEFRA to carry pets into the UK via London Biggin Hill airport.

Managing director Ian Austin says: “We have been running a managed fleet for eight years and it's a huge milestone for us to get an AOC. This is a new chapter in the company's future.”

Chantilly Air voted best air charter service for second consecutive year

Chantilly Air of Virginia, USA, has been named best air charter service by 32,000 readers of lifestyle magazine Virginia Living for the second consecutive year.

Tim Sullivan, Chantilly Air's COO and director of operations, says: “With our 26 years of experience, our knowledgeable team and our diverse fleet of business aircraft we can provide our clients with the best aviation resources in the area. Our attention to detail and customer service experience is centred on relationships and encompasses our values and philosophy. We are honoured to have been recognised by our clients.”

Jetcall gets own AOC

Germany's Jetcall has been granted its own AOC by the German Aviation Authority. The company added a second medevac Learjet 45 to its fleet in June 2016, which also comprises a Learjet 35.

Seawings launches air taxi service in Arabian Peninsula

Dubai-based operator Seawings has launched its air taxi service providing private charter flights across the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Qatar with a fleet of amphibious Cessna Caravans.

CEO Stuart Wheeler says: “We've pioneered a network of landing locations across the Middle East region. Our fleet of seaplanes can now provide a dedicated aerial taxi service that connects the whole Arabian Peninsula.”

Bestfly gains Aruban AOC

Bestfly has become the first Angolan operator to be awarded an AOC by the Registry of Aruba.

MD Nuno Pereira says: “This is an important milestone for us and we are very pleased to have achieved it. Our owners can now place their aircraft in the charter market with the aim of off-setting ownership costs. We anticipate an increase in activity as a result.”

London Helicopter Charters receives its own AOC

UK operator London Helicopter Charters Ltd has been issued its own air operator certificate to support passenger charter and sightseeing tours in and around the UK's capital city. The company operates two AS350 helicopters which are based at Redhill Aerodrome.

Awesome Air Evac commences Learjet medevac operations

Johannesburg, South Africa-based FlyAwesome has teamed with the aeromedical team of Air Evacuation Services to launch independent air ambulance service Awesome Air Evac. The team provides specialised, doctor-based, ICU fixed wing medevac services to quality standards which include BARS Gold and ISO 9001: 2008. It has over 30,000 flight hours of combined experience in Africa, the Middle East and Europe, including more than 20 years of operational experience in hot and hostile territories.

The Awesome Air Evac fleet comprises permanently configured Learjet air ambulances complemented by access to additional turboprop aircraft. The global operations are coordinated from its Lanseria-based 24/7 call centre.

NetJets extends Lufthansa relationship

NetJets has extended its strategic alliance with Lufthansa Private Jet by five years. Its service gives access to intercontinental routes at short notice, and complements the first-class service of the Lufthansa Group within Europe and North America.

Jens Bischof, executive vice president for sales, says: “Lufthansa Private Jet has established itself in the market as an integral part of our premium service and it is a perfect fit for our goal to be the first five-star airline in the western world. We are therefore delighted to continue the fruitful cooperation with our partner NetJets in the coming years.”

XOJet takes to the piste

USA-based XOJet has been named as the official private aviation partner of Vail Mountain and Beaver Creek Resort, two resorts within the family of Vail Resorts destinations in Colorado.

“We constantly strive to create high-touch experiences for our discerning clients, and adding lifestyle partnerships with like-minded brands is just one of the ways we're catering to their needs,” says Gregg Slow, executive vice president, XOJet sales and client services. “This new partnership with Vail Resorts is another example of our efforts to better serve our clients.”

Through the new partnership, XOJet's preferred and elite access programme clients enjoy privileges, amenities and services at Vail and Beaver Creek including access to select fine dining, concierge assistance, tee times at award-winning mountain golf courses during the summer and premier access to Vail and Beaver Creek's world-class ski slopes during the winter.

Jet Source hands over charter management to Latitude 33 Aviation

Californian operator Latitude 33 Aviation has been selected by San Diego County FBO Jet Source, based at McClellan-Palomar airport, to handle all its charter enquiries after the latter's decision to cease handling Part 135 operations. Jet Source will continue to provide full FBO services.