General manager of IJM MENA Bernhard Wipfler with accountable manager Omar Matar

News in brief

Deer Jet completes majority shareholding

China-headquartered Deer Jet has concluded its acquisition of shares in UAS International Trip Support and becomes the major shareholder of the global flight support solutions provider. UAS is now the flight support partner for Deer Jet's fleet of 90 aircraft which includes a VVIP configured BBJ 787 dubbed the Dream Jet.

Zhang Peng, chairman and president of Deer Jet, says: “We are excited to see the valuable synergies our companies are about to create. After founding Hong Kong Jet, and acquiring shares of Asia Jet, Hawker Pacific and UAS, Deer Jet will continue to expand its global range through strategic partnerships with the best companies in the world of business aviation. For the second consecutive year, Deer Jet has been selected as the world's leading private jet charter by the World Travel Awards, a strong statement on our longstanding leadership and firm commitment towards excellence in service.”

XOJet teams with Etihad Airways for seamless connectivity

California-headquartered XOJet has partnered with UAE national airline Etihad Airways to offer connectivity for guests travelling on XOJet within the US and on Etihad Airways worldwide.

When booking The Residence luxury A380 service for the first time, XOJet's existing Preferred Access and Elite Access members will receive gold status with Etihad's loyalty programme for frequent flyers and, in turn, Etihad travellers will receive a promotional $2,000 flight credit for first time XOJet flights.

Brad Stewart, president and CEO of XOJet, says: “As the leader in on-demand private jet charter, we were compelled to partner with the most elite airline that shares our commitment to excellence in high touch service. Etihad Airways has proven itself by setting new benchmarks within the aviation industry and we are thrilled to select them as our inaugural commercial airline partner.”

IJM MENA one year on

IJM MENA has celebrated its first anniversary at its headquarters at Bahrain International airport. The company is a joint venture between International Jet Management (IJM), Austria, and MENA Aerospace, Bahrain, and specialises in aircraft management and private jet charter.

General manager Bernhard Wipfler says: “Within the first 12 months of our partnership we added two new aircraft to our fleet and were able to significantly increase our charter turnover. Our aircraft owners and charter customers certainly benefit from the advantageous set-up; the global network and expertise of the IJM group and the regional presence, infrastructure and contacts of MENA. This year has reassured us that Bahrain is a perfect location for our business.”

Europ Star names Insat Aero as partner for Russia

Austrian operator Europ Star Aircraft has extended and expanded its partnership with Moscow-based Insat Aero. The two companies have worked closely together in financing, operational management, charter flight organisation and technical aircraft management over the past five years.

Europ Star CEO Werner Welz says: “The best currency in aviation is trust. Our partnership spans a whole array of functions; Insat Aero uses our AOC as well as providing CAMO and flight operations, and we have become two highly integrated companies. Insat Aero adds a highly specialised network in Russia and Eastern Europe to our expertise, and both areas offer exciting growth opportunities for our two companies.”

Year end report from Jet Linx Aviation

The addition of 32 aircraft by Omaha, Nebraska-based Jet Linx in 2016 brings its fleet total to 82 and supports the 20 per cent increase in total miles flown year on year. Its jet card membership also increased by more than 20 per cent to 1,200 holders, and the company added new bases in Nashville, Tennessee, and in Fort Worth, Texas. The recruitment of 178 personnel means the company now has over 400 day-to-day operations staff and pilots.

“Our growth demonstrates the need that we have filled in the private aviation industry for a more localised customer service experience with all of the advantages of a national provider,” says president and CEO Jamie Walker. “We are in the business of personal aviation, with a differentiated business model that elevates expectations.”