European Business Air News - June 2010

BUSINESS AIR NEWSE U R O P E A N

ISSUE 204 JUNE 2010

Pilot and fishing enthusiast Jimmy Jack, pictured with Hawker Beechcraft pilots Brad McKeage, John Guidry and Mark Danin, haslanded a new King Air B200GT after intensive research into his ideal aircraft. For full story see page 7.

For details of how to enter, see page 3.For details of how to enter, see page 3.For details of how to enter, see page 3.For details of how to enter, see page 3.

Austria’s MJet has called for a reviewof EU regulations governing aircharter operators.

Dan Rusu, sales and marketingdirector, says: “We see a particularneed to have a regulatory separationbetween scheduled operations andunscheduled commercial operationsand hopefully the market recoverywill lead soon to some action at thehighest EU level.”

He says such a review should resultin a different bespoke regulatoryenvironment for business aviationoperators.

Rusu reports that a new G200 hasproved a valuable addition to MJet’sfleet. “The delivery took place inDallas, Texas, at the Gulfstreamfacilities. All the formalities, includingtechnical inspection and deliveryflight, were performed by our in-

house specialists. MJet is one of thefirst and few existing organisations inAustria using the CAMOplus systemof airworthiness management. This isdefinitely an added value we can offerto our clients. The new G200 isalready enrolled in our AOC and isavailable for charter flights.”

The company’s fleet also includes

a G450, a GV and a Hawker 900XPwhose delivery was arranged by MJeton behalf of a client.

Rusu says that Eastern Europeanbases are definitely not at the samelevel as Vienna. “Our main concernrelates to the lack of hangaraccessibility as well as the well-known lack of maintenance facilities.Nevertheless we have seen someimprovement at these locations in thelast two years.”

MJet, which also has bases inMoscow and Kiev, says: “Our recentexperience confirms that findingqualified and experienced pilots isnot a big challenge nowadays. Webelieve that this is a result of thechanges in the European businessaviation sector in the past one to twoyears. Excellent pilots have becomeavailable due to overall utilisation

reductions and we have not had anyissues with recruiting the necessaryflight crews so far.”

Rusu says MJet has seen increasedinterest from charter brokers in thepast few months for mid-range routesand ultra-long flights. “We havestrong partnerships with brokers inEastern Europe as well as direct withclients,” he adds.

MJet also operates three modifiedFokker 100 executive jets. “One ofthese jets has been certified foradditional fuel tanks systemoperation enabling us to performlonger distance bespoke flights.”

The MJet Fokker 100 features a 21by three metre cabin which isapproved for 19 passengercommercial operation.

EBAN’s focus on Austria starts onpage 8.

MJet advocates bespoke regulationsfor Europe’s private charter sector

For details of how to enter, see page 3.

Program Manager forJet-Care

Job of the Month

See page 15

The G200: attracting client praise.

For fuel, ground services and all your trip arrangements

CONTACT [email protected]

HeliClub has become the firstRussian company to order a AW139medium twin. The company says:“This helicopter will complement an already ordered Grand light twinand will be used to perform corp-orate and high level on-demandpassenger transport.”

It adds: “The AW139 has beenextensively tested in the mostextreme conditions including thoseencountered in Canada and in theMiddle East. It meets Russianoperational requirements whiledelivering the highest levels oftechnology, safety, flexibility andoperational capability.”

HeliClub says the recently certifiedAW139 full de-icing configurationbased on the Full Ice ProtectionSystem (FIPS) was a factor in itsdecision. “This provides real allweather capability required in agrowing number of applications.Moreover an increased maximumgross weight and payload enables theAW139, with a maximum range ofover 500 nm, to target the long rangeoffshore transport market currentlybeing met by larger 19-seat types.”

As well as private charter, HeliClubalso supplies helicopter pilot trainingservices and sells and marketshelicopters in Russia.

The deal for the AW139 has beenfinanced through VTB-Leasing.

A final assembly line in Russia forthe AW139 civil helicopter is to be setup and run by HeliVert, a RussianHelicopters and AgustaWestland joint venture.

HeliClubmakes first

Russian orderfor AW139

Saudia Private Aviation (SPA), thebusiness aviation unit of SaudiArabian Airlines, has taken delivery ofthe first of four Falcon 7Xs. “Thismarks the first Falcon 7X delivery inSaudi Arabia,” says Wajdi AbdullahAl-Idrissi, head of SPA. “Two more arescheduled for delivery to SPA laterthis year and the final aircraft willcome in 2011.”

Al-Idrissi says SPA will use theFalcon 7X for vip charter flightsaround the world as well as within the Middle East. “With a range of5,950 nm, the aircraft can connectmajor cities, such as New York toRiyadh, Dubai to Tokyo, or Rio deJaneiro to Jeddah. The 7X wascarefully chosen out of many optionsdue to its excellent technicalspecifications and performance. It isa unique aircraft that can fly non-stopfor more than 11 hours. It does not require a long runway whichsaves valuable time because we willable to land at lower traffic airports.The 7X is distinctive and matchless inits class and conforms to the highstandard requirements of royal andvip clients.”

Al-Idrissi adds: “Though SPA wascarved out of Saudi Arabian Airlines ayear ago, our long experience spansmore than 60 years in vip aircraftchartering, leasing, management andconsultation and ground handling.”

Dassault plans to establish anadditional Falcon authorised servicecentre with Saudi Arabian Airlines inJeddah. “It will support not only theexpanding Falcon fleet based in theMiddle East but also Falcon operatorsthat fly regularly between the AsiaPacific region and Europe,” says JohnRosanvallon, president and ceo ofDassault Falcon.

Dassault has more than 50 Falconsbased in the region and expects thisnumber to increase by almost 50 percent over the next three years.

SPA selects 7Xfor global andMiddle East

charter

Fishing enthusiastlands King Air Fishing enthusiastlands King Air

For details of how to enter, see page 3.For details of how to enter, see page 3.For details of how to enter, see page 3.For details of how to enter, see page 3.For details of how to enter, see page 3.

Royal Jet expands BBJ fleet page 3

Acropolis ACJ meets luxury long haul target page 4

Air Charter Scotland eyesbases in France page 5

Cello Aviation offers service of note page 6

Eurofly Service targetsgrowing managed aircraftdemand in China page 7

SPECIAL FOCUSES

Review of Austria page 8

Passenger and aircraftsecurity page 11

Authorities tighten volcanicash procedures page 14

GoTeamWhatever it takes

Abu Dhabi-headquartered Royal Jetis adding two more BBJs, taking thetotal in its growing fleet to seven. “Weare bringing one BBJ size aircraft intoservice and expect to add anotherone in 2014,” says Shane O’Hare,president and ceo.

“Our sixth BBJ will feature 22 seatsand two generously proportionedlounges. A private office andstateroom with bathroom andshower gives the feel of a smallboutique hotel making it extremelycomfortable with lots of living spacefor families as well.”

He adds: “From August we canalso now add a Lineage 1000 to ourfleet list having recently signed a newaircraft management deal with UAE-based business conglomerate, the AlHabtoor Group.”

O'Hare says: “The Lineage 1000 isone of the latest and mosttechnologically advanced businessjets designed to seat up to 19passengers. Royal Jet can offer gueststhe full range of aircraft capacity andprices from the Learjet 60 carrying sixpassengers to the BBJ.”

Royal Jet has put back plans toexpand its fleet from 12 to 20 aircraftbut only to 2013 and it still aims tooperate 50 aircraft by 2020-2021.

“What we found during therecession is that governmentmissions, heads of state, anddelegation travel has increased,”O’Hare says. “In addition, we haveemerging markets in Africa wherethere is very strong trade despite

recession. This includes missionsbetween China and many individualcountries in Africa. The corporate

sector is recovering but at a slow pacewith modest growth expected thisyear. This business was growing at15-25 per cent a year before therecession. We are now at moremodest growth levels of six to sevenper cent.”

The group, jointly owned by AbuDhabi Aviation Co and the emirate’sgovernment, operates a fleet that alsoincludes the G-300, the G-IVSP andthe Learjet 60.

It serves corporations, govern-ments, jet-set individuals, royalty and heads of state globally.

JUNE 2010 3EUROPEAN BUSINESS AIR NEWS

While we had been optimistic aboutthe show in view of the strongforward bookings, we were delightedwhen the 10th EBACE ended its threedays with sold out exhibitor andstatic displays, 11,174 attendees(less than 100 below the secondbiggest show in 2007) and a generalair of optimism that the globalindustry’s economic outlook may beat last on the upswing. Halls 6 and 7of Geneva Palexpo and the staticdisplay of aircraft were sold out with436 exhibitors and 65 aircraft out atGeneva international airport.

Indeed it was, by any standard, avery successful 10th anniversary forEBACE and just what we all neededafter such a difficult period for theaviation industry. The level ofexhibitor and attendee participationwas a welcome boost and a timelyreminder that, despite the recentsetbacks, business aviation remains

highly valued around the world,supporting jobs, mobility andeconomic opportunity. In additionto the value EBACE provided forexhibitors and attendees, the event celebrated a successful 10-yearjoint partnership between EBAA and NBAA.

The education sessions – thebackbone of EBACE programming –covered a variety of internationaland local aviation issues. Panels ofindustry experts explained theircautious optimism about thebusiness aircraft market and thesteps the business aviationcommunities will take to meet theirenvironmental stewardship goals.Particularly encouraging were thepresentations by the Teal Group andEurocontrol, both of whom forecasta prolonged, if initially erratic,recovery in the European market,with a return to 2007 activity levels

expected by 2013. Additionalsessions covered operational safety,the latest upgrades to aircraft andtechnology and the dreaded EU-ETS.Animated discussions took placeabout the continued development of

the EU-ETS support facility tosimplify monitoring, reporting andverification requirements for smallemitters, when Eurocontrol reporteduncertainty pending a key policymeeting held on 6 May. However wehave now been advised that,although the final decision has notyet been taken – one Eurocontrolmember state still has reservations –the Eurocontrol meeting gave strongsupport to its funding anddevelopment. We expect that in thecoming weeks the final decision willbe taken and we will be able toannounce good news.

Security protocolFinally, a subject no longerdiscussed at EBACE – security. Afterthree years of very active discussionwith the European Commissionresulting in a derogation fromairline security rules for business

aviation, enabling us to adopt asecurity protocol tailored to oursector, the EBAA has produced astandard of security best practice formembers in the form of an AMC(Acceptable Means of Compliance).This has been circulated to allmembers that need to know, andshared with the 27 member statesnow charged with developingappropriate rules for our sector.

In short, EBACE 2010 was a greatshow that celebrated 10 years ofachievements in the businessaviation sector in Europe which,despite the recent very tough times,has seen the fleet of turbinepowered aircraft almost doublesince the first EBACE, withconsiderable further expansionpredicted by the experts in the yearsto come.

(See also the security focusstarting on page 11).

Sold out EBACE was just what the industry needed

By Brian Humphries, presidentEuropean Business AviationAssociation (EBAA).

EDITORIAL COMMENT

Royal Jet: expansion plans include more BBJs.

BUSINESS AIR NEWSE U R O P E A N

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Royal Jet to offer BBJ ‘magnificent seven’

Shane O’Hare: generous space.

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Acropolis Aviation ceo DavidCrawshaw says the company’s newACJ will meet its target of flying 600hours in its first year of operation butthere are no current plans to add asecond to the London Farnboroughbased company’s fleet. “I am a greatbeliever in ‘small is beautiful’ wherethe size of the company isconcerned,” he says. “It is far easier tomanage a small-scale company in away that ensures it focuses on thecustomer and consistently provides abespoke service of top-level securityand comfort. The provision of suchhigh quality personal service getsmore difficult as a company increasesin size so we plan to stick with oneACJ for now.”

Acropolis Aviation conducted alengthy investigation beforeacquiring the ACJ and started byitemising what the company’s clientswanted. Crawshaw says: “The projecthas taken more than three years tobring to fruition. We sought range,cost-effectiveness, comfort and spaceand we also had to be extremelyconfident with the maintenance and support.”

The ACJ, configured with 19 seats,gained its AOC in April and Crawshawsays the response from the top end ofthe market has more than lived up toexpectations. “This aircraft will fly 600hours this year with destinationsranging from North and SouthAmerica, Europe and the Middle andFar East. This is our initial ‘flying hour target’ and it will be reviewedafter year one.

“We are absolutely delighted withthe client response and the supportfrom Airbus but we want to make thisproject a commercial success beforewe consider anything else.”Crawshaw adds: “The ACJ has a

beautiful cabin outfitted by theAirbus Corporate Jet Centre. Itfeatures lounges, a bedroom and a

bathroom with en suite shower. Thewide cabin is a big advantage but theACJ also offers many featuresincluding Category 3B autoland thatenables landings even in poorvisibility, time and cost-savingcentralised maintenance, and a richspecification of navigational aids.”

Crawshaw, who has been workingin business aviation since 1973, saysthat Farnborough’s advantages as apurpose-built business aviationairport means it is a base exactlysuited to the requirements ofAcropolis Aviation’s clients. “We arenot involved in any negotiations forslots and the TAG ground facilitiesand handling are first class.”Associated company Triair is based at

Farnborough operating the Falcon 7Xand the Challenger 300 which provideclients with other long range options.

Benoit Defforge, ceo, and BrunoGalzin, head of sales and marketing,Airbus Corporate Jet Centre, say thatcomputer aided design is criticallyimportant in the fast and efficientprocessing of green aircraft to clientrequirements. “The full CAD mock-up shows exactly what the aircraft willlook like and enables the client totake early decisions,” Galzin explains.“Acropolis Aviation made full use ofCAD to help ensure the best for theirclients in good time down to detailssuch as the optimum positioning for foldaway flight crew seats on take-off and landing.”

Benoit Defforge and Bruno Galzin enjoy service aboard Acropolis Aviation’s new ACJ.

Acropolis ACJ to meet 600 hour luxury long haultarget in first year of charter operation

David Crawshaw: ACJ business targets tobe reviewed after first year of operation.

Lufthansa Private Jet (LPJ) says it islooking at extending its Europeanfocused branded services to NorthAmerica and Asia in response toclient demand.

LPJ operates what it describes asseamless travel to onward regionalairports for Lufthansa and Swisslong-haul clients. The price dependson distance and includes all chargesand costs irrespective of the numberof passengers on board the aircraft.Catering and in-flight entertainmentare tailored to suit individualrequirements.

LPJ operates a fleet that includesthe CJ1, the CJ3 and the XLS withGermany’s DC Aviation and Austria’sJetalliance chosen to provide extracapability.

Lufthansa, which owns LPJ, says it is talking to potential operatingpartners in North America and Asia. There are currently no plans to acquire additional operatingaircraft. It says: “Today around 30per cent of LPJ’s clients are hub-to-point travellers and the remainderare charter clients using the servicefor point-to-point travel.”

The Gama Group reports that theexpansion of its aviation and supportservices is on schedule. MarwanKhalek, ceo, says the group’s firstEuropean FBO at Glasgow is due forcompletion by May 2011. It will have a new 2,000 sq m heated hangar,office space and a passenger handling facility.

Khalek says three Challengers, an850, 605 and 604, are beingincorporated into the fleet whichholds AOCs in Europe, NorthAmerica, the Middle East andBermuda. Gama Support Services(GSS) has now moved into the £1million newly refurbished hangarfacilities at London Farnborough.

Khalek says: “With the expansionof its EASA 145 capabilities, GSS nowalso manages maintenance for GamaAviation’s entire European fleet. Theincrease in hangar space andworkshop area to 2,300 sq m has notonly catered for the upturn in thirdparty work but also allowed the groupto bring together its variousmaintenance, design and avionicscompanies in a centralised facility.The provision of Part M maintenancemanagement services has increasedsubstantially over the past 12 monthswith the team growing with demand.”

He says line maintenance facilitiesat Glasgow and Aberdeen enable GSSto support the Scottish AirAmbulance Service’s fixed wing fleetand many other third party clients.

Khalek adds: “2010 is shaping up to be a good year for GSS which benefits from providing a turn-key service ranging fromguidance on the purchase of anaircraft to pre-delivery inspections,certification and modifications, andentry into service.”

Gama expandsaviation and

support service

London Oxford-headquarteredHangar 8 reports strong client interestin two of its newest acquisitions – aHawker 4000 and a Hawker 900XP.The new arrivals complement a fleet that already offers aircraftincluding the Cessna 525, theChallenger 600, the Citation 525,525A and 560, the Hawker 750 and850 and the King Air 200.

Founder and ceo Dustin Dryden,pictured with Dean Mitchell, HawkerBeechcraft pilot, says: “We expect tofly around 1.5 million miles this yearand to take several more aircraftunder management. The aircraft arechosen depending on reliability,safety, range, age and ease ofmaintenance.”

He adds: “The fleet is mainly new and 80 per cent are less than fiveyears old.”

Hangar 8 recruits throughrecommendation from existing staffand runs in-house training wherestudent pilots work in operations,engineering and sales for six monthsprior to type rating.

Hangar 8 reports positiveresponse to Hawker additions

Lufthansa seeks partners for onwardcharter in North America

LPJ: examining new markets.

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Air Charter Scotland, which operatesten Citations, would like to addlonger range jets to its fleet,according to operations directorDerek Thomson. “We are alsoconsidering setting up a base in thesouth of France, to serve establisheddemand in and around Nice,”he adds.

Thomson reports that demand forprivate charter in the UK isrecovering, despite the setbacks tobusiness caused by the Icelandicvolcano, and that is why thecompany is in the process ofexpanding its fleet. “We have a goodmix of Citations including the CJ1,CJ2, CJ3 and Excel but heavy jetswould add a new dimension to thefleet,” Thomson says.

Air Charter Scotland, whose mainbase is at London Luton, reports astrong demand for holiday andleisure charter as well as corporatetraffic. “There is a business

requirement for road shows whereour aircraft are needed for three orfour days at a time,” Thomson says.“Our Excel is very popular. Privatecharter business has been helped bythe fact that airlines are not

operating so many routes. Populardestinations range from Chamberyto Geneva and from Malaga to Ibizaand Nice, but longer range jets would enable us to serve othermarkets such as the Middle East.”


Derek Thomson with Ben Bewsey of Air Partner.

Air Charter Scotland eyes new baseGermany’s DC Aviation is charteringthree managed A319s. “This gives us atotal of four ACJs for charter,” says ceoSteffen Fries. “Starting now we canoffer larger groups extremelycomfortable travel alternatives todestinations such as Beijing, SouthAfrica or New York.”

Fries points out that the additionssignificantly expand the long haulcapability already offered by DCAviation’s Challenger 604s, Legacy600s, Global Expresses, Gulfstreams550s and the company-owned, 48-seat Airbus.

He adds: “In the Middle East alongwith Europe, there is demand forcharter flights with these exclusive vvipaircraft. We are receiving requests forcharter flights from private individualsas well as large corporations. TheA319s offer a level of comfort on long-haul flights that is simply unbeatable.”

DC Aviation served as lead adviser

and supervisor in the remodelling anddelivery of each of the three A319s.“The services provided by thecompany ranged from defining thespecifications to technical inspectionsduring manufacture as well as finaldelivery and acceptance from Airbus.DC Aviation then also supervised theinterior completion of the aircraft,”Fries adds. “Each has a uniquesolution and is tailormade for therespective customer.”

Thierry Boutsen, owner andpresident of Boutsen Aviation, broughttwo of the A319s to DC Aviation. Hesays: “The interior designs of all threeare custom incorporating lounges,bedrooms with en suite bathrooms, aswell as bars and crew quarters.”

Two have premium business classseating at the rear of the jet. Inaddition, individual seats and divanscan be converted into extra beds onnight flights.

DC Aviation adds managed A319s to expand long haul capability

Moscow’s Capital Jets reports thatdemand for trips to Europe is pickingup and there are signs that businessin 2011 will be better than in 2010.The company manages and chartersaircraft including a 14-seatChallenger 850, a 10-seat Challenger601 and a 39-seat Yak 42. It alsoprovides charter broker services,consulting on private jet acquisitionand maintenance, business aviationlegal support, audit, reservations ofvip facilities, hotels and villas,helicopter rental and yacht charter.

Associate companies providecomplementary services. CapitalTransfers organises crew and in-flightcatering while Capital Heli focuses onhelicopters sale and maintenanceand Capital Catering prepares andorganises in-flight catering.

Artem Grek, executive director,says destination demand rangesacross Europe from Turkey in the eastto Holland and Switzerland and as farnorth as Sweden and Denmark.Russian clients, he says, enjoycomfort and good food. AndrevErshov, executive charter sales, adds:“Our aircraft provide food from thefamous restaurants of Moscow, suchas Pushkin, Sumosan, Zolotoy andBistrot. Hundreds of people makeprivate flights every day in Russia andwe are proud that so many of themuse Capital Jets.”

Capital Jetsconfirms uplift

in demand

Artem Grek and Andrev Ershov: Europeandemand increasing.

GNAAS fleet ambition on targetThe UK’s Great North Air Ambulance(GNAAS) is well on target to achieveits goal of operating three AS365 N2s –one previously owned by ManchesterUnited footballer Michael Owen – bythe spring of 2011.

Grahame Pickering, ceo, says afund raising campaign has paid forthe first and raised a deposit for thesecond. “The charity believes thatbuying its own aircraft, rather than leasing as it has done in the past, will be more cost-effective in thelong term.”

What started as a conversation aboutthe poor level of customer service ona family flight lead within 18 monthsto the launch of a vip charter airline.Nim Baines of Birmingham, UK-based Cello Aviation (pictured withpartner Jo during an onboard reviewof the Cello Aviation ABJ) oversaw thebusiness planning including thepurchase of the BAe 146 that is nowthe focus of Cello’s business plan.

Baines, ceo of Cello Aviation, asubsidiary of the Gill Groupheadquartered in the UK, says: “Thebusiness planning and preparationculminated in the current launch ofrevenue services by Cello Aviation.”

The 46-seat BAe 146-200 is beingtargeted at the luxury end of groupprivate charter with Cello Aviationidentifying Europe as the corebusiness region. Tony Farmer,marketing and sales manager, says:“Our target markets includeentertainment professionals, footballteams and organisations undertakingquality product launches. There is agood demand in the UK andEuropean vip executive chartermarket for a business jet of this size and quality.”

Farmer adds: “We have alsoreceived enquiries from govern-mental departments and organisersof up-market weddings, so the ABJ isappealing to an extremely good anddiverse mix of clients.”

The Gill Group, founded by ceoand owner Raj Gill, specialises inlarge airport and motorwayinfrastructure construction. Thecompany’s paved concrete surfacingbusiness has been contracted tosupport many UK Ministry ofDefence airfields in addition tocivilian airports. A new apron area atAbu Dhabi international airport isamong international projects it hasrecently completed (EBAN February

2010), with previous projects forrunway and apron work in PuertoRico and Oman.

Baines says: “We have paid a greatdeal of attention to detail. The aircrafthas been configured with a 46-seatfirst class interior. There is amoveable cabin divider, hot galleysand a strong cabin staff contingent toensure that customers receive thehighest level of individual service.Enquiries so far have significantlyexceeded our expectations.”

Waypoint Aviation of Bristoladvised the Gill Group as it identifieda preferred aircraft type, sourced the

ABJ from BAe Systems, and thenproject managed the conversion.“Among other requirements, theprocess identified a need for two plustwo executive seating across thecabin, hot galleys and genuine standup cabin height,” says Baines.

Bob Peck, ceo, and his team atInflite Engineering, Southend,managed the heavy C check andfitting of the new cabin prior todelivery to Cello at its Birminghambase, with Starling Aerospace

delivering the executive seat sets and interior.

Cello Aviation is already looking atthe economies of scale andoperational advantages that mightaccrue from having a second aircraftin the fleet. “Cello is conducting theinitial research with the fullinvolvement of its customer base andcould be in a position to add anotheraircraft within 12 months,” Farmersays. “There is a very good market inEurope for this general size andquality of aircraft and we havereceived excellent feedback fromboth charter brokers and end users.”

Stewart Cordner, vp Avro BusinessJets for BAe Systems, says: “Over thepast two years the number of BAe146/Avro RJs that have beenconverted into ABJs or which are inwork has reached 13 aircraft. Theseinclude a recent delivery for thePresidential Flight of Abu Dhabi andan ABJ acquired by InfliteEngineering Services that willincorporate an interior developed bythe Linley Design Group. The aircraftare being used in a variety of differentroles ranging from government/vip tobusiness charter services andcompany shuttles.”


Cello Aviation offers service of note to groups seeking quality

Tony Farmer: diverse range of clients.

The 46-seat ABJ: generating enquiries.

Slovakia’s Opera Jet is working onbusiness plan to add a heavy jet to itsfleet after bringing a managedMustang into service. Faheem Azhar,senior adviser to the company’sboard, says both aircraft willcomplement the existing fleet of aCitation Jet, CJ2 and two CJ3s. “Weare still working on heavy jetcategory addition which is in thepipeline and for that we might needcabin crew plus cockpit crew.”

He adds: “We chose aircraft tomeet the needs of business peoplewho require flexibility plus costeffectiveness. The major demand inthe European charter market is frombusiness people with theserequirements and destinations withhigh aircraft utilisation include Nice,Zadar, Split, Prague and Warsaw.”

Azhar says: “Business is growingslowly, however the profit margin forthe operator is next to nothing. Butdespite the difficult times in 2009each one of our aircraft didapproximately 470 flight hours. This

level is quite low when you comparethese figures with 2006/2007 but,despite the results of the economiccrisis, when we compare ourcompany with our competitors, we

are quite satisfied with the numberof hours we achieved in 2009. It hasindeed been a great effort by ourteam who really are the true asset ofour company.”

The company, which waslaunched at the end of 2007 as asubsidiary of Opera as with one lightjet, now expects to operate six ormore aircraft less than three yearson. Another subsidiary OperaAircraft Sales has been appointed asa Gulfstream sales representative forSlovakia, the Czech Republic,Hungary, Bulgaria and Romania.

Chairman Dr Martin Hudec andmd Martin Sykora say that Opera Jetplans carefully controlledexpansion. But Sykora adds: “Aircraftare the tools of the trade and themore aircraft you have in your fleet,the more variety and choice you canprovide to the end user.

“But you have to bear in mindthat quality, safety, security andairworthiness cannot becompromised at all.”

Opera Jet orchestrates new heavy aircraftadditions to established Citation fleet

Faheem Azhar: expansion plans.

Comlux is refining plans to increase its share of the long haul private charter market.Pictured from left are Michel Ouellette of Bombardier, Capt. Stephen Taylor of BoeingBusiness Jets, Ettore Rodaro and David Edinger of Comlux and Laurent Goutal of Airbus Executive and Private Aviation.

Comlux refines appeal of its ACJsas it builds long haul capability

Fly Comlux has placed a firm orderfor a Global Express XRS featuringthe new Global Vision flight deck.“Among all our jets, the GlobalExpress XRS is the leader in terms ofcustomer satisfaction, so thisaddition is a natural choice,” says ceoStephen Laven. “From theChallenger 605 to the Global ExpressXRS, these aircraft provide aluxurious yet highly productiveenvironment for doing business intransit between meetings, or relaxingand enjoying the ride.”

The 11-strong fleet also includesthe Challenger 850 as well as theGlobal 5000. Laven says: “In addition,a previously ordered Challenger 605and a previously ordered GlobalExpress XRS jet are scheduled to jointhe fleet in the coming months.

“Comlux’s expanding Bombardierjet fleet complements its existingAirbus corporate jet fleet andcontributes to the company’sstrategic development plan to

become the leading long haul charterservices provider in Europe, CentralAsia and the Middle East.”

Comlux is also working withSonaca, an aerostructure manu-facturing company based in Belgiumwhich produces slats for all Airbusaircraft, to refine the appeal of itsACJs. Richard Gaona, president ofComlux The Aviation Group, says:“While Sonaca is in charge of thedesign and manufacturing, Comluxbecomes the exclusive provider ofthe polished slats.

“The certification and installationon the first aircraft is scheduled for July 2010 and from that momentsuch improvement will be availablefor any operator who would like to customise its aircraft. I amconvinced this improvement willattract other operators, and I havetasked Christophe Lapierre, the headof our engineering and servicesdivision, to offer this option to everyACJ operator.”

Italian operator Eurofly Service isbringing a second Falcon 7X intoservice. “Our two new 7Xs will beoperated from Turin and Treviso,”says vp Alessandro Baviera. “The 7Xrange will enable us to meetestablished long range demand to flyto the United States and to Asia fromEurope. China will develop into a veryimportant market and we arestrategically placed to grow withdemand having come to anagreement with a company in HongKong that specialises in aircraft sales.

There will be a growing demand foraircraft management in China and wehave long-standing expertise in anumber of different types. Our focusis on being one of the most efficientaircraft management companies inEurope that can also providecompetitive maintenance and soundacquisition advice.”

Eurofly, which started life as Fiat’sflight department, is also looking toupgrade one of its two Falcon 2000swith a Falcon 2000LX. The Euroflyfleet now includes Falcon 50, a Learjet

40 and 60, an Avanti II and twoAgustas, a 109 Elite and a 139.

Eurofly is working closely withTopjet Executive and its presidentDino Rasero and is basing a newHawker 750 at Milan Linate, whereTopjet is opening a 1,100 sq m hangarand office facility. Baviera says theLearjet 40 could also possibly bebased at Milan Linate. The aircraftwill be on the Bizjet Aircraft andHelicopters Management (AH&M)AOC. Eurofly Service owns 99 per cent of Bizjet AH&M.

Eurofly Service targets growing demand in China for aircraft management


Cessna CitationAuthorised SalesRepresentative

www.timleacockaircraft.com +44 (0)1258 818181

Left to right: Alexandre le Tourneur d’Ison of Hawker Beechcraft Corporate Aircraft with Dino Rasero of Topjet and Alessandro Baviera.

Fishing enthusiast Jimmy Jack haslanded his dream aircraft – a newKing Air B200GT (see photograph onpage 1). After building a transportcompany from scratch into a multi-million enterprise, he now runs theCarron Rod & Case Company whichproduces bespoke salmon fly rods,salmon and trout fly lines and leathersporting accessories.

“My wife and I created the CarronSpey casting team to promote thecompany’s specialised rods andlines,” he says. “The team has wonnumerous casting championshipsand has broken world distancecasting records. Carron rods andCarron Jetstream lines are nowknown all over the world.”

Jimmy Jack, a qualified pilot,decided in 2008 that he was ready toacquire and pilot a turbine poweredaircraft. “I was very impressed withthe TBM 850. It is very fast,comfortable and great to fly. But I alsotook demonstration flights in everyKing Air model including the 90GTand B200GT. Then I hired a 350 totake our nine-strong casting teamand equipment to Norway,” he says.

“The added advantage of havingthe Raisbeck wing lockers for carryinglong items such as fishing rods wasfantastic.” Lengthy discussions withKing Air owners convinced him to optfor a B200GT with Raisbeck highflotation gear doors and wing lockers.“It is the first factory new B200GT to

be certified with every Raisbeckproduct for this model. The packagehas enhanced performance leadingedges, dual aft body strakes, highflotation gear doors and nacelle winglockers. It also maximises theperformance of the Pratt & WhitneyCanada PT6A-52 engines byincluding Raisbeck/Hartzell quietturbofan propellers and the ramrecovery system.”

Jimmy Jack, who previously flew a Beechcraft Baron for 24 years, says: “The B200GT is a pleasure to fly and a reliable workhorse.Hawker Beechcraft, especiallyHoward Povey and his team, havebeen a pleasure to deal with andhelpful with issues such as purchase,

training and engineering.”A truck driver before he launched

his own company in 1970 whichfocused on cargo handling, transportand crane hire, Jimmy Jack had tomake time to gain a private pilot’scertificate and build hours andexperience. One day he was invited tofly right seat in a King Air. “That tripleft a lasting impression on me. Itbecame my dream that one day Imight manage to own one.”

When his transport, warehousingand crane hire activity steadilyexpanded into handling oil pipes andequipment destined for the NorthSea, he acquired a 50 per centinterest in an A36 Bonanza. “But Ineeded to make water crossings to

visit Norway, Sweden and Germany.So I decided to purchase a Baron B55.It was a beautiful, low-time twin withde-ice equipment, which was animportant requirement for myextended missions around Scotlandand the North Sea.”

Jack continues to own and fly hisB55 Baron using it for short hops with two or three passengers. But the B200GT is now his preferredaircraft. “I’ve made a number of tripsin it including a skiing holiday. The skis nestle in those roomylockers, so carrying five passengerson board plus luggage is easy. The B200 is an honest, reliableaircraft, and it’s roomy, quiet and very comfortable.”

Fishing enthusiast casts roomy King Air B200GT in star role

Arab Wings has ordered a Legacy 650on behalf on an undisclosedJordanian owner. Ahmad AbuGhazaleh, executive president, says:“It is scheduled for delivery in thesecond half of 2010. It will be basedin, and operate out of, Jordan. ArabWings will also add a Phenom 100 toits fleet this year.”

The Jordan-headquarteredcompany, which has gained a UAE

AOC, also took delivery of a CitationSovereign last November.

Arab Wings operates a growingfleet of owned and managed jets out of Amman, Jordan, Cairo, Egyptand Sharjah, UAE. It is also building,with Saudi Arabian investors, aspecialised regional brokerage basedin Bahrain and plans a “significant”MRO network in the Middle East and Europe.

Arab Wings plans additon of Legacy 650 and Phenom 100

Skydrift paddles hard forchildren’s care servicesThe UK’s Norwich-based Skydrift AirCharter raised more than £500 forchildren’s hospice care services inNorfolk, Suffolk and Cambridge whenit took part in May’s East AnglianDragon Boat Festival (pictured) atOulton Broad, Lowestoft. The Skydriftteam named Team Rotoars Runningcame first, second and third in threeraces and an overall 18th out of 30.

Three of TAF Helicopters’ fleet ofAS350 B3s are helping the Catalangovernment protect the environment.Joan Carol, development director, says that one helicopter is dedicated to protection operations and twoothers are on call. “These two arebased in the Val d’Aran region of thePyrenees and are focused onmountain operations. But they areused on request by the GeologicalInstitute to measure the thickness ofsnow cover in different areas that canonly be reached by helicopter.”

Carol adds: “The institute uses theresults to estimate river levels duringthe spring thaw.”

The wholly dedicated AS350 B3carries out missions that include theenforcement of hunting laws

protecting animals including deer and chamois. “Activities are diverse,”Carol says. “They range from forestsurveillance in the summer months to prevent fires, re-stocking rivers with trout, monitoring waste run-offin rivers and performing main-tenance in nature parks such as settingup river crossings.”

TAF was founded in 1959 to carryout aerial photography. Its initialsoriginate from Trabajos AereosFotograficos which is Spanish foraerial photography work. Carol says:“Our fleet of some 28 helicopters havenow logged well over 170,000 flighthours and perform a wide range ofmissions including emergencymedical services, mountain rescues,aerial work and photography.”

TAF Squirrels help protectCatalonia’s natural resources


Fixed-wing charter operatorsheadquartered in Austria tend tofocus on central Europe and thefurther afield longer haul markets.“The potential of the surroundingcountries is very many times largerthan the Austrian market,” saysMartin Lener, md of Tyrolean JetServices (TJS) which has providedservices in the country since 1978.“Brokers and operators in Austrianeed to serve the much biggercatchment area of central Europeand beyond to generate the incomethey need.”

The need for Austrian operators tothink globally is highlighted by thelaunch of a joint venture companybased in Moscow by JetallianceGroup and Aeroflot Russian Airlines.Lucas Lichtner-Hoyer, ceo of Austria’sJetalliance Holding AG, says: “Thejoint venture partners intend tocreate the leading player in the fieldof executive aviation in Russia.”

The partnership namedJetalliance East and headed by mdIgor Chunikhin, will initially focus onthe Russian market. Jetalliance Eastwas previously Aeroflot’s businessaviation subsidiary Aeroflot Plus.Aeroflot transferred the majority of itsshares to Jetalliance Holding AG andits Russian partner Aviation HoldingsLtd so that both hold 49 per centshares in the joint venture.

Lichtner-Hoyer says: “We arebasing two factory-new Citations, a CJ3 and a Sovereign, atSheremetyevo. The CJ3 carries sixpassengers and links cities in Europeand Russia such as Nice and Moscow.

“Importantly the Sovereign cantake nine passengers non-stop

from Moscow to Dubai.”During EBACE, the partners

signed lease agreements for theSovereign and the CJ3. “We believethis is the first time either aircraft hasbeen imported into the former SovietUnion,” Lichtner-Hoyer says.

Jetalliance East will operate undera Russian AOC and is gearing up tomarket Citations, provide finance andaircraft management services and

maintenance. “The vision is toprovide complete turnkey services forjet owners,” Igor Chunikhin says.Jetalliance Aircraft Managementalready operates more than 30aircraft. Its international outlook isreflected by its FAA part 129certification which enables it to flycommercially in the United Statesand Canada to complement itsoperation under EU Ops in Europe.

Sergei Koltovich of JetallianceMoscow, Lichtner-Hoyer says, spent agreat deal of time quietly working onthe deal that was eventually agreed byAeroflot and the partners. He adds:“Russia is one of the biggest marketsin the world and we started to workon plans to develop our businessthere more than three years ago.There is good potential to expand ourmanagement fleet, attract charter

and play a leading role in thedevelopment of business aviation.”

Chunikhin, who started withAeroflot in 1992 and was director offlight service for 16 years, says heexpects Jetalliance East to producevery good results as it builds itsreputation over the next two years.“We plan to increase the number ofaircraft on our AOC. It is a very goodtime to launch.”

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AUSTRIAREGIONALREVIEW

International outlook means operators are in business for the long haul

TJS wins further recognition. Pictured from left at the award presentation are Christian Fischer, manager flight safety; Thomas Reiner, manager communication; Martin Lener ceoand Brian Humphries of the EBAA.


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Vitus Eckert, chairman ofJetalliance Holdings AG supervisoryboard, says: “The joint venture willuse the existing Jetalliance sales teambut we will as soon as possible buildup Jetalliance East’s own sales team inMoscow to handle enquiries direct.”

Michael Holy, director ofmarketing for the Jetalliance AviationGroup, says: “While many chartersare flown out of Russia, there is littleavailability of internal ‘city pair’charter flying in Western business jetsin Russia. The two Citations will beperfect for short and medium trips in Russia.”

Jetalliance East plans to steadilyadd more jets as charter businessgrows. The company is also workingon plans to open a Part 145maintenance facility at Sheremetyevoso that jets based in Russia can beserviced there. Jetalliance’s servicecentre in Vienna will be used tomaintain the Russian Citations untilthe Moscow facility can be opened.Jetalliance is a Cessna salesrepresentative for Russia and 17 othercountries and has 15 charter aircraftbased in Europe. “Russian charterclients who like the Jetalliance Eastcharter service will be good prospectsif they decided to acquire jets in thefuture,” Holy adds.

As well as expandinginternationally Jetalliance isdiversifying. As a Cessna AuthorisedService Facility it maintains Citationsfrom the Mustang up to the CitationX. It also maintains the Falcon 2000and Falcon 900.

Holy says: “We are hoping toachieve the Dassault AuthorisedService Facility approval this year andincrease our Dassault capabilities in2011 to include the 7X.”

Holy adds: “Vienna, once thegateway to the East, has become acentral location in the expandingEuropean Union. This makes Viennaa practical and attractive destination

for planning a maintenance stop.”But he warns that restrictive EASA

requirements regarding Part 66licensing and training are makingEuropean maintenance facilities less competitive in the globalmarketplace and this is causingdifficulties for international activities.

TJS, which received the GoldenSafety Award from the EBAA forlogging more than 80,000 flight hoursaccident free, has diversified over thepast 32 years to offer aircraftmanagement services, sales andmaintenance and says demand forcharter services is slowly recovering.Lener says: “There is a lack ofconsumer confidence combined withan enormous business jet capacity in

Europe which increased from 1,900 in2006 to 2,700 in 2009. The balance ofsupply and demand is totally out ofkilter which has lead to a significantdownturn in pricing.“

But TJS is well placed to competein the private charter and managedaircraft sectors in central Europe.Lener is not only winning newbusiness for TJS but is also workingwith Casper Einem of Jetalliance to

promote private aviation generally.Einem is chairman and Lener isdeputy chairman of the recentlyformed Austrian Business AviationAssociation which will seek to givethe country’s private aviation sector astrong unified voice. “The associationwill work on aspects that willcontribute to building the bestpossible environment for businessaviation,” Lener says. “This will

include, for instance, makingrepresentations to the federalministry of transport and analysinglegislation but it is also important toensure that private aircraft areunderstood by everybody to benecessary business tools.”

Despite the difficult globaleconomic situation, the last year wasa year with good highlights for TJSwhich received the Global ExcellenceAward 2009 from the Baltic AirCharter Association and Lener hopes2010 and 2011 will continue to showan improvement.

Lener says: “All in all privatebusiness is growing. Oncebusinessmen and corporationsrecover full confidence in the future,the private charter market in Austriaand surrounding countries willbenefit considerably.” But Lenerpoints out that some executives arecurrently flying economy on airlinesinstead of business class and have

Vienna Aircraft Handling restructures to make

services more competitiveBarbara Schmid, Vienna AircraftHandling assistant manager privateaircraft handling (FBO), says thecompany has restructured to makeitself more competitive after theeconomic downturn.

She adds: “Our GAT, possibly the most modern facility of its typein Central Europe, was opened in2006 and has sufficient size andcapacity right now. But depending

on the economic situation in thenext couple of years, we areplanning a tarmac extension and the construction of a multi-storeycar park.”

Schmid says the issues that haveaffected business the most are theeconomic downturn, the volcanicash and the economic situation inEastern Europe and the Middle East.However she says: “For anyoneheading for Central Europe, with itsbooming economy, rich culturalheritage and international social

events we offer a variety of services.”These include private aircraft

crew and passenger handling; vipservice for private jets with aseparate and guarded access;exclusive use of a passenger lounge;meeting rooms and event location;valet parking; crew lounges; privateshowers; private jet brokerage;hangars up to B737 or A321 and refuelling.

Armin Stotter, director traffic andhandling, Executive Aviation, saysInnsbruck Airport handles about

7,000 business aircraft movementsper year. “Our executive traffic ismainly incoming and tourismrelated so we presently see nonegative results originating from thegeneral crisis but there is presentlyno intention to expand our facilities.Our perfect location within thecentre of the Tyrol tourist region andeconomic area speaks for itself andin this field of aviation we havepractically no competitors as GAclients tend to use the airport whichis closest to their destination.”

Roland Steiner, Cornelia Schabl and Walter Enthammer of Helios Hubschrauber picturedafter the successful installation of a glass cross on the Schartwand (2,339m) in theTennengebirge, south of Salzburg.

AIRPORTS/HANDLING

Continued on page 10

Sergei Koltovich: detailed preparations.

optimum time. “The charter market has shown

signs of recovery so far in 2010 andexisting clients are recommendingour company to others. We also useall relevant sophisticated marketingtechniques. There is no substitute forhard work and client service. Wealways ensure that we give clients thebespoke service they want and needand this has stood us in good stead,especially in the air ambulance andcharter sectors.”

Helicopter operator marketsenergy saving research

Helios Hubschrauber, a commercialhelicopter company located inAnthering, Salzburg, is marketingresearch on noise reduction andenergy saving. Walter Enthammersays: “The first contacts to appraiseindustry about our research are nowtaking place. We have worked onachieving noise reduction and energyefficiency on rotor blades simply bychanging the flow ratios at the wingend or the rotor blade tip. Thehelicopter’s role can be adapted toany specific use if the focus is onfundamental parameters like speedor profile. It is simple. Existingsystems do not necessarily have to bechanged. Re-equipment andconcentration on the end piece aresufficient in order to achievesignificant improvements.”

Hubschrauber says wind tunneltests and runs on a test bench showeda significant increase in efficiencyand reduction of noise. “The noisereduction of the tested tail rotor bladeis about 25 per cent and there is adifference in the lift. The potential forapplications on rotor blades,propellers, aerofoils and wind powerplants is extremely high. Noise

reduction and energy saving are veryimportant for the environmentallyfriendly operation of helicopters. Webelieve the results we have achievedare a good base for future commercialapplications.”

Air Partner celebrates 10th anniversary

Air Partner has benefited fromcombining a long-term strategic viewwith bespoke development in bothAustria and Switzerland. It saw thepotential in both countries aroundthe same time and the company’sactivities in each country havesimilarities. However seniormanagement such as Birte Püschel-Kipke, director international offices,have ascertained very differentnational development priorities.

Austria’s potential was identifiedand developed through Air Partner’soperations in Germany. PeterSpringinklee, now country managerin Germany, was recruited from theAustrian airline Lauda Air, to providethe local expertise needed.

Püschel-Kipke says: “The strategicappointment gave us the impetus tobring in new Austrian tour operatorbusiness. Arrangements with airlineshave proved important in Austria. Wehave, for instance, developed regularbusiness by specialising in pilgrimflights to Lourdes. Private charter,while a useful contributor toturnover, accounts for perhaps only10 per cent of bookings. The focus hasproved the right one. The office inVienna now has a staff of four and,although the past 18 months havebeen difficult because of the globaleconomic downturn, Air Partner willbe celebrating its 10th anniversary inAustria with a good client base.”



down-sized from midsize to smalland light private jets. The Russianmarket, important to many charteroperators and brokers in centralEurope, has undergone a radicalchange. “Many Russians have movedinto ownership rather than regularcharter,” Lener reports.

However TJS is managing aircraftfor the sole use of some owners and is in talks to add other aircraft undermanagement. TJS is also working to renew aircraft for its clients. “It is a very good time for this as prices are extremely competitive,” Lenerpoints out.

TJS says it is employingsophisticated marketing to attractnew clients as the charter marketrecovers. “We work hard to be veryflexible and adapt our services toindividual circumstances to provideexactly what our clients want and thisis standing us in good stead.”

The business focus is global.Austria may be a key location fromwhich to do business in CentralEurope but it is also a country fromwhich the private aviation sector isbuilding revenue globally.

Merger increases airambulance operator’s

capabilityThere has been consolidation in theAustrian market following the globaleconomic downturn. Welcome AirTyrol Air Ambulance, headquarteredat Innsbruck, has merged with AirAlps Aviation and the integration hasproduced expanded services forclients. The company is bringing aGulfstream 100 dedicated to airambulance into service. This willcomplement the existing charter fleetof a Citation 550 and 551, two Dornier328s, a Fairchild Dornier Envoy 3 anda Citation 560. The company hasbenefited from offering a diverse mixof air ambulance and medevac,private charter and scheduled flights.The founder of the company Helmut

Ringler has returned as ceo andconsultant to identify new areas ofbusiness. Ringler says: “Our ferryflights to destinations all over Europehave remained popular despite therecession and it is not hard to findgood pilots when we need them. Thevolcanic ash affected our flightstremendously but all in all business isgrowing and it is possible that we willupgrade and expand our fleet at an

The 2010/11 EBAN Handbook ofBusiness Aviation in Europe is outnow, and gives details of many moreAustrian charter operators. It alsolists business aviation facilities andservices including airports, FBOsand maintenance centres.

The details can be accessed onlinethrough a search of aircraft operatedor the airport bases. For moreinformation please visitwww.handbook.aero

Comprehensive Austrian dataonline free-of-charge

Know More.

800.553.8638 +1.315.797.4420 JETNET.COM

Worldwide leader in aviation market intelligence.

Expanding Horizons

The UK’s Norwich-based SaxonAirsays it has become the first UKoperator to add the Hawker 400XP toits AOC. The company will operate itsown 400XP from Norwich but has alsotaken on another managed 400XPbased at Edinburgh. “This providesSaxonAir with a second UK operatingbase and further expansion into theScottish market,” says md Chris Mace.“The latest addition to our fleet meansSaxonAir continues to build a versatileand cost-effective fleet.”

The fleet includes the King Air 350and a Mustang based at Norwich alongwith an EC120 and an EC135 based atboth Norwich and Redhill.

Mace says: “The Hawker 400XPprovides us with the ideal light

business jet which has its own uniquerole within the fleet. It is ideal forEuropean business trips. In ouropinion, the Hawker 400XP strikes theperfect balance between comfort andperformance. The managed aircraft atEdinburgh airport will also allow us tooffer first class business travel toScottish-based clients.”

With a high speed cruise of 455knots and unique swept wing design,Mace says the Hawker 400XP is 35knots faster than the CJ3. Mace adds:“The ‘squared oval’ cabin designmaximizes the amount of usable spaceand delivers more head and shoulderroom for up to eight passengers. Thecabin has also been redesigned sinceprevious models to include a four-

place club seating arrangement in thecentre. Its internal and externalbaggage space totals 73 cubic feet, orthe equivalent of about sevensuitcases and three or four golf bags.”

He says: “Private jet clients thathave flown in the Hawker 400XPconsistently comment on thespaciousness and comfort of its cabin.It offers more space for bothpassengers and payload ensuringeveryone has more room to spread outand enjoy the flight.”

Other desirable passengeramenities, he says, include largewindows for plenty of natural light,dual zone temperature control, andexcellent soundproofing to create avery quiet cabin.

SaxonAir claims UK Hawker 400XP first

SERVICES/SUPPORT

Corporate jetmanagement company

targets IndiaOther companies reflect Austria’sinternational outlook. GeraldTrenker, ceo of CJM Corporate JetManagement GmbH says thecompany is planning to open anoffice in Mumbai, India inaddition to its presence inSwitzerland. He adds: “We have astrong demand for designconsultancy of heliports, and alsofor yacht marinas, and we areconsider buying a helicopterbased in Vienna.”

The company specialises inaircraft and helicoptermanagement, charter andconsulting. “Our managementservices at present are only forprivate owners. We have strongconnections to the Isle of Man,”Trenker adds. “In order toguarantee a high level ofdiscretion to the managementcustomer, we never make anydetails of aircraft or flights public,not to the media nor on ourwebsite. Our main activities aretransport, supplying alpine huts,erection of meteorologicalstations and heat exchangers aswell as filming, photo flights,sight seeing, carrying passengers,taxi flights and many other kindsof operations.”

Hawker Beechcrafthighlights importance

of Vienna officeAustria is important tomanufacturers and servicesuppliers as well as to charteroperators. Byron Severson,regional sales director of HawkerBeechcraft International ServiceCo says: “Austria is very importantto us as a manufacturer and forthis reason we decided to placemy sales office in Vienna andmore recently at the internationalairport, vip terminal.”

Austrian ALB GmbH, whichspecialises in the distribution ofpay-by-hour programmes, is thenew sales agent for Powerplan, theengine maintenance costprogramme of LuxemburgsAerodynamics SA.

Thomas Frank, head of sales,says: “As we have offices inLuxemburg and Austria, we arefamiliar with Europeanregulations and business. Ourteam consists of experiencedtechnicians and research analysts,customer care specialists and adynamic sales force. Themanagement believes thatPowerplan will gain market shareevery year, starting in Europe, withthe next markets being NorthAfrica and the Middle East.”

Karl Maxa, md Jetalliance Leasing, and Igor Chunikhin, md Jetalliance East sign lease agreements that will see the partners developprivate aviation business in Russia.

Continued from page 9

Püschel-Kipke: Air Partner celebrating10th anniversary.


Aircraft owners and operators must guard against laxness atinsecure airports and complacency ‘at home’ in Europe

SPECIAL FOCUS – PASSENGER AND AIRCRAFT SECURITY

Passenger and aircraft security is aconstant concern for the privateaviation industry whether itconcerns hotspots in the news, likeBangkok recently, other destinationswith regular high alert profiles orseemingly safe countries. Ownersand operators need to assess whatprecautions need to be takenwhether their destinations are shorthaul in Europe or longer haul to theMiddle East or Far East.

Matt Burdette, chief ofintelligence for ASI Group, says thereis both good and bad news for privatecharter operators and owners. “Thegood news in global businessaviation is that there remains anincreased effort by operators tomaintain heightened levels ofsecurity that were brought to pre-eminence by the 11 September 2001attacks. The bad news is that there is an increasing risk of complacencyin recognising, evaluating and pre-empting new security concerns toaircraft, crew and passengers. This is of particular relevance to charter brokers and operators whoserve an ever-increasing number of potential clients and a wide rangeof destinations.”

But he adds: “Operators andpassengers now have greaterawareness of potential securityissues in the destinations that they

fly to – both at the airport and on the ground. Whether travelling bythemselves or on company business,passengers should ask the operatoror broker to review the securityprocedures outlined in their oper-

ations manual. The thoroughness ofthat section will typically be moretelling than the details as to howseriously the operator or brokerconsiders security. Some goodquestions for charter passengers to

ask ahead of the flight include: ‘Does the operator have securityservices available?’ and ‘Whatcommunication plans are in place for the passengers and crew in anemergency?’ Prospective pass-engers should also pay moreattention to information security andthe possibility that their privacycould be compromised.”

Burdette says past high-profileprivacy breaches include the releaseon the internet of a partial itinerary ofa major sports celebrity and theelectronic “bugging” of a charterflight used by the entertainer MichaelJackson in 2003.

“Passengers, especially businesstravellers, need to remember thatdespite the trappings of privacy,charter aircraft and crew are not theirown,” Burdette warns. “Sensitivedocuments and electronic devicesshould always be taken off theaircraft, even for short stays. Businesstravellers should perform at leastsome advance due diligence on thecharter operator to determine notjust its safety history, but also whoowns it. It is not inconceivable forsomeone to be travelling on anaircraft owned by a competitor! If thecharter agreement does notspecifically include a non-disclosuresection obligating the operator/broker to maintain privacy, thenconsider setting up a separateagreement. As the sports celebrity’sitinerary release showed, it is alsoworth asking what procedures theoperator/broker has in place tocontrol the distribution of passengernames and personal data.”

Gabriella Cserei, the ASI Group’sintelligence analyst responsible forthe northern Africa region, pointsout: “While much attention has beenpaid lately to the commercial airlinesector, much less scrutiny has beendevoted to executive aviation.Despite this lack of focus, theindustry faces a number of securityrisks, especially in high threatdestinations. The risk of exposure tolocal threats – such as politicalinstability, crime and/or terrorism –contributes to a higher threat profilefor such locations.”

She adds: “These potentialdangers are compounded by an often times inadequate level ofsecurity at airports in high threatdestinations. This combination of

factors makes these airportschallenging operating environmentsfor executive aviation companies.”

The ASI Group, formerly AirSecurity International, operates as anindependent subsidiary after beingacquired by the Medex Global Groupin May 2008. Medex is one of theoldest and largest independentlyowned providers of global travelsecurity and medical assistance inNorth America.

Cserei points out that politicalinstability and terrorism poseconcerns for executive aircraftpassengers, flight crews and theaircraft themselves. “For example,political developments in Thailandhave had a noted effect on securityconditions at both of the capital’sairports: Bangkok Don Muanginternational airport andSuvarnabhumi airport. In recentmonths, social unrest and violentprotests have considerably destab-ilised conditions in Bangkok.”

Political unrest has threatenedairport operations in the past, suchas in November 2008, whenprotesters stormed the airports,forcing both facilities to shut downfor two weeks. Despite thecontinuation of most aviationoperations at both airports duringApril and May 2010, theunpredictable nature of the protestscould once again cause disruptionsto flights with little or no warning.

Cserei points out: “Securityconditions at Islamabad’s BenazirBhutto international airport (OPRN)in Pakistan are also shaped by localthreat factors. Terrorist activity andpolitical instability have plaguedPakistan in recent years, fuellingheightened concerns about aviation safety.”

Monitoring systems“Suspected militants have targetedOPRN in attempted bombings in thepast, and warnings of potentialthreats against the facility continue toemerge,” continues Cserei.“Furthermore, political instability hasalso periodically had some residualaffect on airport operations,demonstrating how securityincidents outside of the immediateairport vicinity can also compromise

Universal: among organisations providing security support.

Matt Burdette: increased effort toenhance security precautions.

Security is a big concern in Europeand the EBAA is involved in on-goingsecurity discussions both at nationallevel and at European level with theEuropean Commission and theEuropean Civil Aviation Conference(ECAC).

EBAA president Brian Humphriessays: “The Association has beenleading the policy debate in view ofthe adoption of security rulesspecific to business aviationoperations in Europe. It continues towork with both the Commission andmember states to help themdevelop the most appropriate rulesfor the sector to the benefit of usersand public alike. The rules wouldpreferably be on a Europe-wide basisrather than by derogation tomember states which wouldpotentially lead to 27 different sets ofrules for business aviation security.”

The working group includesAbelag’s Anne Blume, the BBGA’sGuy Lachlan, EBAA France’s Michelde Ronne, GBAA’s Ralf Schwiebus,Mark Wilson of NetJets Europe andthe chairman Pedro Vicente Azua.

The NBAA recommends thatflight department personnelcomplete annual security trainingand remain vigilant to note any

changes in emotional well-beingand health of all crew members,ground personnel and passengers. Itadvocates a checklist that includesensuring there is:• Proper perimeter security with

effective fencing, lighting,appropriate security patrols, gatesand limited access areas; thatstreet-side gates and doors areclosed and locked at all times; andthat there is positive accesscontrol for all external gates and doors;

• Hangar doors are closed andlocked when that area isunattended and that all keystorage areas (food and drink,parts and tools, etc) are secure;

• An access control managementsystem for keys and passes; thatthe identity and authority of eachpassenger, vendor and visitor isconfirmed prior to allowingaccess to facilities and aircraft andthat all visitors are escorted on theramp and in the hangar area;

• A process to check photo ID toverify identity of any visitor orvendor;

• Emergency numbers are placedprominently around facility and

there is easy access to phones or“panic buttons” in various facilitylocations such as the leisurefacilities and the hangar bay;

• Confirmation of the securityarrangements at destinationfacilities and that a flight crewmember is present at all timeswhen the aircraft is beingserviced;

• A check of lavatories, baggagecompartments and all cavities forunauthorised people or objectsprior to every departure;

• A procedure for the aircraft’ssecurity system (locks and alarms)to be set whenever it isunattended to preventunauthorised entry.

Operators and owners, the NBAAsays, should ensure staff participatein security training, receiveinformation updates and know theessentials such as check in and outprocedure for visitors and guests andpositive control of luggage. Crewmembers, the NBAA adds, shoulddisplay photo IDs. “Have a securityplan specific to your location andoperation,” it advises. “Develop,maintain and exercise an emergencyresponse plan.”

Checklist highlighted as Europe reviewsmajor concerns over security


Gabriella Cserei: concerns aboutinadequate airport security.


security for passengers and flightcrews. Most recently, in March 2010,protesters blocked roads to theairport for several hours.”

Inadequate security measures atairports heighten the risk of operatingflights in high-threat destinations.

Cserei says: “The airports in bothBangkok and Islamabad haveproblems with corruption andsubstandard monitoring systems. At Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji(VABB) facility concerns are aprimary threat. Although attemptshave been made to secure the facilityfollowing the November 2008terrorist attacks in the city, a numberof security problems plague theairport, including corruption, poortraining and management ofpersonnel, as well as substandardfacility security measures.” Forexample, she says, general aviationparking areas are not separatelyfenced or well lit, and securitymonitoring of various operationalareas is not always adequate.

She adds: “Airport authorities vetcontractors who have access tosecure areas, though the contractors’actual employees seldom undergobackground checks and have beenimplicated in acts of vandalismagainst private aircraft. In addition,general terrorism concerns in Indiagreatly increase the overall threatprofile of the airport.”

Similarly, Murtala Muhammedairport in Lagos, Nigeria, anotherhigh risk destination, is alsoprimarily characterised bysubstandard facility security. “Safetyshortcomings have been prominentat this facility for years. While somesecurity improvements have beenmade, including the installation ofstate-of-the-art security scanners,significant concerns remain. Anincident in April 2010 in which awoman reportedly breached securityand boarded a flight without a ticketdemonstrated the continuingconcerns at this facility,” Cserei says.“Corruption and scams are alsoproblematic at this facility. Localpolice and military personnelregularly solicit money, and conartists posing as immigration officershave also been known to extortmoney from travellers and aviation

personnel. Guards and criminalsoutside the airport are known tobully passengers, demanding moneyand using intimidation tactics toextort ‘fees’.”

As with conditions at VABB, thesecondary concerns of terrorism andlocal instability, combined withprimary facility security concerns,make this location a higher threat tocorporate air travel, Cserei warns.

Regardless of what primarysecurity threat affects a givenlocation, it is generally a combinationof concerns that elevate a destinationinto the high risk category. “As thesedestinations highlight, securitymeasures are often inadequate atthese airports,” she points out. “Theexecutive aviation industry musttherefore approach such high riskdestinations in just as stringent, if noteven more elevated manner, as thecommercial sector.”

She warns that flight operatorsmust take steps to ensure security ofboth passengers and equipment andobtain detailed security assessmentsof destinations and airports inadvance of departure.

There needs to be a strong focuson ensuring aircraft are safe. SriLuckshmanan, security servicesmanager Universal Weather andAviation, says: “When people go to ashopping centre, they typically try topark in a secure area, make sure thedoors to the car are locked, set thealarm, and take their keys with them.But sometimes those sameindividuals travel to a foreign countryand leave multi-million dollar aircraftunattended for several days.”

Luckshmanan adds: “When youthink about aircraft security like that,it kind of puts things in perspective. Ithink operators sometimes assumethat airports are so secure these daysthat their aircraft will be safe andsecurity is unnecessary.

“For example, I’ve heard clientsask: ‘What is the point of havingsecurity personnel protect theaircraft if they are unarmed?’ This is arequirement at some airports. Just afew years ago, however, an unarmedsecurity guard was able to identifythe tail number of an aircraft thatclipped the wing of the aircraft hewas guarding. Without his eye-

witness account, the owner of theaircraft would have had to pay for allof the expensive repairs.”

Security tapeAnother client once declined aircraftsecurity and elected to use securitytape as an alternative.

Luckshmanan says: “When theyarrived for departure the nextmorning, the tape had beentampered with, requiring a timeconsuming thorough check of theaircraft to ensure no bombs orexplosives or other threats had beenplanted. I’ve also had clients that

George Galanopoulos: high level of security.

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For European operators, long hauldestinations may seem to pose thebiggest security questions but thesafety measures at more frequentlyvisited airports nearer home shouldbe assessed and understood.

According to Avinode, which listsmost popular routes for charterbrokers and operators wishing toanalyse past patterns and futurepotential, these destinationsrecently included the UK’s Lutonand Farnborough, Geneva, France’sAix Les Bains and Cote d’Azur andGermany's Frankfurt.

However unlikely such airportsare to feature on ASI’s hotspotsbriefing the advice of professionalsis that it is worth checking whetherthere are any scheduled events thatmight affect arrivals or departures.

Destinations that ASIrecommends keeping under reviewinclude Thailand, Jamaica, Trinidadand Tobago, Pakistan, Australia, theUK, Afghanistan, Morocco andNorth and South Korea.• There are continued tensions in

Kingston since the governmentbegan procedures to extradite asupporter of the ruling JamaicaLabour Party to the US. Gangs inwest Kingston slums haveamassed arms and weapons.

• Post-election disappointment inTrinidad And Tobago may alsotrigger discontent or traveldisruption. ASI says: “Travellersshould avoid wearing either redor orange, which are the officialcolours of political parties andmight be interpreted as a form ofpolitical activism.”

• Afghanistan is alwaysproblematic and there iswariness about Mangalore untilthe reason for an aircraft crash isestablished.

• North Korea and South Koreahave been at each other’s throatssince the sinking of a SouthKorean naval vessel that killed 46sailors on 26 March, South Koreahas taken the matter to the UNSecurity Council and ASI advisesthat the situation should beclosely monitored in case of

further developments.• Bomb attacks in Pakistan have

caused concern with events inLahore’s Shahi Mohalla. ASIcomment: “The risk of furtherattacks in major Pakistani citiesremains very high.”

• It also recommends that a waryeye is kept on Thailand becauseconcerns about new incidents ofviolence remain.

• Australia has announced thatnew regulations will beimplemented at the country’sairports requiring all travellers todeclare any pornographicmaterial they are carrying.

• Industrial action is a concern inthe UK where discontentcontinues to simmer after strikesby British Airways cabin crews.

• Morocco is removing foreignersfrom the country for allegedChristian evangelising activity.ASI says: “Diplomatic tensionswith the US have increasedrecently following Morocco’srefusal to abide by the 1998International Religious FreedomAct.”

• Yemen is a source of concernafter two US tourists werekidnapped near Sanaa.

• Ethiopia has continued risks ofpost-election violence.

• Nigeria has suffered religiousunrest.

• Togo has suffered kidnappingand ASI says there areheightened political tensionsand ongoing economicproblems.

• Mexico requires caution withtravellers advised to avoidMexican Federal Highway 15between Hermosillo andNogales.ASI says that security issues

rarely affect individuals ororganisations in some destinationsbut others have low-level securityissues. These locations have anextremely low rate of violent crime,suffer from sporadic crime, or evenregular or rampant crime. “It alwayspays to analyse and check the riskswhatever the destination,” it adds.

Risk profiles still need evaluationat airports far from hotspots

Continued from page 11


Al Bateen reports risingbusinessThe newly GCAA-certified Al Bateenexecutive airport announced atEBACE a 30 per cent increase inaircraft movements in the firstquarter of 2010 compared with thesame period last year.

Riga FBO to open in JulyA business aviation hangar hasopened at Riga airport in Latvia.FBO RIGA was created by the BalticBusiness Aviation Centre Ltd, FlightConsulting Group and Triangel Ltd.Rick Hooper will head the FBO. Hewas previously FBO relationsmanager with NetJets Europe.

The complex also includes a two-storied building with two viplounges, duty-free shop and bar. Itwill open for business in July.

ExecuJet grows at ZurichThe ExecuJet Aviation Group hastaken over a 1,800 sq m businessaviation hangar at Zurich KlotenAirport. The company’s Zurich pilotlounge received a full refurbishmentin January this year, in time for the2010 World Economic Forum inDavos with plans for the FBO laterthis year.

Phenom 300 certified by EASAEmbraer has received typecertification for the Phenom 300from the European Aviation SafetyAgency. The aircraft, whichaccommodates up to ten occupants,can fly at speeds of up to 521 mphwith a 1,971 nautical mile range.

Lufthansa offers quickchange kitLufthansa Technik is offering a vipcabin quick change kit for Airbusand Boeing narrowbody aircraft.This new on-demand configurationallows customers who do not wantto maintain a vip aircraftpermanently to convert acommercial aircraft cabin into a vipinterior overnight.

Cessna speedsrefurbishmentsCessna is to reduce lead timesrequired for interior refurbishmentsof classic Citations. Under the newRightNow Interiors programme,Citation Service Centers will stockpre-selected, certified interior designmaterials, eliminating long-leadtimes, typically eight to 12 weeks.

ABJ ‘Air Deck’ dimensionmarketedBAE Systems and leading UK design consultancy Design Q aremarketing new Jet Explorer interiorsfor the Avro Business Jet (ABJ).These include high-specificationinteriors and the ‘Air Deck’ viewingplatform (pictured).

EBAA calls for FTL feedbackThe EBAA has launched a web-based survey on flight timelimitations (FTL) whose input will be used to help develop atailored business aviationregulation for EU pilots. Pilots who wish to participate can go towww.alertsol.com/EBAA/ andcomplete the questionnaire. It takesabout 30 minutes to complete.

Tailors target businesscrewsUK based Armstrong AviationClothing reports strong interest in itsrange of pilot and crew clothing forbusiness aviation through its website. Stock includes over 80 differentsizes in pilots jackets and over 100different sizes of matching uniformtrousers. The company has ranges for pilots, cabin crew, ground staffand engineers.

Falcon 7X training extendedFlightSafety International is to offertraining for the Dassault Falcon 7Xat its Dallas/Fort Worth LearningCenter from January 2011.

Ocean Sky claims fastest growthOcean Sky is opening up to ten jetcentres in Spain and Italy, somebefore summer, as part of a rapidexpansion across Europe this year.The first of six Spanish centres will bein Ibiza, Valencia and Mahon(Menorca) with another three to beannounced shortly.

The jet centres take over existingfacilities, including offices, owned byAviation Handling Assistance, AHA,which has been bought by Ocean Sky.

In Italy, Ocean Sky has signed aLetter of Intent to acquire acontrolling stake in Euroaloa, a well-established fixed base operator atBologna. This will be the springboardto three further jet centres across the country.

Ocean Sky has also bought OpenSky Italy, an existing commercialaviation company, to facilitatecharter, brokerage and managementactivity and to help consolidate itsItalian operations. “This will be ourbase for business in Italy, which weregard as a key country for ourgrowth,” the company says.

Bombardier appoints SwissNew Jet International has beenappointed as Bombardier BusinessAircraft’s exclusive salesrepresentative for a number of Swissterritories. The company hasrepresented Bombardier products inItaly and Monaco for nearly fifteenyears.

Patriot acquires CoventryPatriot Aerospace has acquiredCoventry airport with the aim ofcreating ‘a vibrant, commercialregional hub’ for general aviation,including leisure, business andfreight, with passenger flightsamong possible future plans. A fullair traffic service will be maintained.

I N D U S T R Y N E W S . . .

Hawker Beechcraft is celebrate Hawker 4000 EASA Certification. Pictured from left are Bill Boisture, chairman and ceo; Shawn Vick, evp; Christi Tannahill, vp global customer support; and Sean McGeough, president Europe, Middle East and Africa region.

have had large amounts of cashstolen from aircraft that were thoughtto be in secure airports. This kind ofthing can and does happen.”

Luckshmanan says the key is tounderstand the security risks of eachairport that the private or charteraircraft will be using. “Universal cansupply its clients with detailedinformation about each airport andthen let them make their decision onwhether to hire security for theiraircraft. It is important to take anumber of issues into considerationsuch as the amount of lighting in thearea the aircraft will be parked, thequality of the fencing surroundingthe airport, the airport’s policy onwho can enter the parking area. Wehave the information to provide arecommendation to clients on all ofthese issues and can provideadditional resources to ensure clientshave all the information they need.”

Simon Wagstaff, founder and mdof the Asian headquartered ASAGroup, says that local knowledge andlanguage skills help ensure thatclients do not get into trouble athotspots. ASA started out byproviding security services in the FarEast in countries including Thailand,the Philippines and Indonesia. It hasbroadened its sphere of operations toinclude countries such as Japan andKorea and is diversifying its privateaviation services.

Wagstaff says: “We recently had aclient who wanted to ski in Japan. Heneeded a bodyguard who spokeEnglish and Japanese and was a topskier. We provided what he needed.ASA gets all kinds of requests andthese include those with exceptionalrequirements such as a bi-lingualskiing instructor with first-classsecurity qualifications.

“There are numerous scenariosranging from the ordinary to the veryunusual and much might depend onwhether the client is travelling aloneon business or incorporating aholiday with his family. Generally,however, for many people it is largely a question of applyingcommon sense and adhering tosimple rules. It is always advisable ina foreign country to keep a low profileand not attract any undue attention.In some cases we might advise theclient to use a lower profile airport ora hotel with particularly appropriatesecurity procedures.”

ASA, which has a base in Bangkok,was well-placed to help clientsworried by confrontations in the Thaicapital. They were given round-the-clock emergency telephone numbersto call ASA if they needed help.

Wagstaff points out that, althoughheadquartered in the Far East, ASAoperates worldwide with its coreoperational focus stretching fromTurkey in the west to Japan and Chinain the east. “China is an interestingmarket with a great deal of potentialand it is one that requires a largeamount of specialist localknowledge,” Wagstaff says. ASAreceives enquiries from as far afield asLos Angeles and New York in theUnited States with Europe anothersource of business. “There is a naturalfit between travel and security,”Wagstaff explains.

ASA, which is launching amanaged aircraft division, advisesclients to protect their assets as wellas their person. “There are someairports where we recommendsecurity measures that are in additionto those provided by the airport,” saysWagstaff. “It is obviously worthensuring that a multi-million dollarprivate jet is protected from damageand any intrusions that might affectthe client. ASA employs its ownpersonnel but there are obviouslysituations where local expertise andmanpower is also required. In thoseinstances we use firms we know andtrust and also employ our own

personnel to check and ensure on thespot that the security is at all times tothe standards we require.”

Security contractsASA will, of course, ensure that itsmanaged fleet benefits from itssecurity expertise. “The first twomanaged aircraft in the fleet will be aGlobal Express XRS and a Learjet. Weare also looking at developing prov-ision of full FBO services in locationsthat will complement our privateaviation and security services.”

Wagstaff says that 2009 was toughbut that business has picked up in2010. ASA opened a new office inSingapore in January and has won atwo-year security contract there.

Charter operators, especially thosewith a global remit, frequently reviewsecurity concerns. London ExecutiveAviation (LEA) points out that, under the company’s worldwide AOC, it flies 22 aircraft through sevenfleet types of business jet, from theCitation Mustang to the Falcon 900EX.

George Galanopoulos, md, says:“Of course, we consider allpassengers to be vips and we takesecurity very seriously at all times.But if passengers wish or need tomake specific security arrangements,they will normally take responsibilityfor the matter themselves.”

Galanopoulos explains that thepassenger’s security team willordinarily therefore contact LEA’soperations department ahead of theflight and discuss risks andarrangements ‘down route’. He adds:“If we are flying to a particularly high-risk or hostile destination, we will ofcourse take comprehensive care ofsecurity for our crews.”

Galanopoulos says: “The aircraftcan be thoroughly checked beforeand during the flight. We can provideengineers on request for very detailedchecks. Security seals can be usedwhen the aircraft is parked at anairport that is not secured or at thecustomer’s request. We can alsoarrange for private security to guardthe aircraft if necessary.”

In terms of costs, Galanopoulossays: “Naturally, a high level ofsecurity is provided as part of ourservice, free of charge. The customerthen bears the cost of any specificfurther arrangements.”

Biological terrorismCompanies that provide sucharrangements vary from securityfirms to those who specialise inguarding against specific threats suchas biological terrorism. Tri-AirDevelopments Ltd has launched anew decontamination unit to offer24/7 security protection for vip,security, customs and other airportbuilding environments from airborneand surface pathogenic viruses andbacteria. Gideon Davenport, ceo,says: “This is to counter the threat ofbiological terrorism and the spread of pandemic illness, such as H5N1and H1N1.”

The new air purifier can destroy awide range of contaminants inminutes, according to its Britishinventors who cite tests by the UK’sHealth Protection Agency. Davenportadds: “The first production unit is awall-mounted serviced device,

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Sri Luckshmanan: protect the aircraft atall times.



measuring 600 x 300 x 280 mm. It candecontaminate and protect a space offrom 250m3 up to 450m3. A smallerproduct suitable for areas up to 50m3,such as within an office, will beavailable later this year.”

Tri-Air is currently seekingdistribution partners. Davenportsays: “The technology is an air-purification, rather than a filtrationprocess, patented in 38 jurisdictionsaround the world. The unit uniquelycombines three separate methods ofdecontamination – non-thermalplasma, ultraviolet catalysis andhydroxyl radical production. This

creates a fresh air environment that islethal to viruses and bacteria,including ’flu viruses and MRSA, andcontinually decontaminates by aprocess of ‘advanced oxidation’.”

He points out: “Airports and othertransit areas are, by their very nature,

particularly vulnerable to the threatof viruses and bacteria: whencontamination occurs, travellers andother customers will stop flying inand business ceases, at least until thethreat clears.”

Due diligenceFor charter operators and passengers,though, much it is a question ofwhether extra security is need toensure personal and aircraft safety. ASIsays its guards are selected withextreme due diligence and must followstrict orders when guarding aircraft.“Guards are properly uniformed and must adhere to high standards.ASI’s intelligence department alsoreviews the security conditions ofinternational airports. Through theintelligence department, airportsecurity briefings are available to assistclients in making their securitydecisions,” the company says.

ASI’s Burdette says there is nodoubt that charter operators inparticular, and business aviation ingeneral, are increasingly aware oftheir obligations and are acting toimprove their security posture.However he warns: “While they areunder the obligation to continuallyvet their own procedures, it is alsoincumbent upon passengers toensure that their privacy and personalinformation are kept secure, partic-ularly when using charter aircraft.”

He advises: “Ask questions andplan ahead. You’ll be glad you did.”

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The Bel Air Aviation team raise a smile despite the cancellation of all flights offshore from Denmark due to volcanic ash cloud.

Simon Wagstaff: round-the-clock contact.

Aviation authorities in Europe aretrying to improve theappropriateness and efficiency oftheir responses following theeruption of complaints in the wake ofthe Icelandic volcanic ash cloud fall-outs (EBAN May 2010).

EASA reports intensive work withaircraft and engine manufacturers toestablish appropriate measures toensure aircraft remain airworthywhen flown in airspace with lowlevels of contamination from volcanicash. “There are currently no ‘volcanicash’ certification specifications and the agency is collaborating withICAO to establish new standards,” it says. Airbus was amongmanufacturers to welcome a unifiedindustry agreement on acceptabletolerance levels for flight operationsafter data available from tests was analysed. Eurocontrol says it is time to move towards a harmon-ised European approach that permits flights but only where safetyis not compromised.

But Travelport president and ceoJeff Clarke wants to develop a US-EUtaskforce on global emergencycommunications. “While the impetusfor Travelport’s recommendation wasthe spring 2009 outbreak of the H1N1virus, the confusion over travel andtrade advisories and bans broughtabout by the spread of the volcanicash cloud over Europe emphasisesthe need for an official mechanism tocoordinate crisis communicationsand decision making,” he says.

Charter operators and brokers areused to responding when scheduledairlines fail customers but wereinitially held back by a ‘one size fitsall’ response that grounded private aswell as scheduled aircraft. However,the private aviation sector is able toplay to its strengths once ‘no fly’ bans were lifted.

DC Aviation successfully posi-tioned business jets at airports suchas Salzburg and Marseilles and madeuse of available, unobstructed flightcorridors. “We were able to bring alarge number of business travellersback home, as well as transport anumber of them to their businessmeetings on routes such as Salzburg-Dubai and Montpelier-New York,” thecompany says.

Flight bookings have, however,been inhibited by the fear factor. CaptChristof Ramputh, flight operationsmanager of Europ-Star AircraftGmbH, reported many clientsreluctant to fly outward, fearingfurther eruptions and resultantairspace closures might possiblystrand them. But he adds:

“Undoubtedly we expect to see acertain segment of traveller availthemselves of the convenience andflexibility of private aircraft travel as aresult of the disruptions of thevolcano, which profoundly hamperedscheduled commercial operations.”

London Executive Aviation (LEA)chief executive Patrick Margetson-Rushmore says there was a welcomerise in bookings and enquiries ascorporate and private customerstried to circumvent airline backlogs.

Bernhard Fragner of Globe Airsays: “The volcanic ash cloud was areal mess and a disaster but definitelyalso an opportunity. Many peopleorganised alternatives themselvesusing a substitute such as the car ortrain but we were still able to helpmany others.”

Dan Rusu of MJet GmbH pointsout: “Obviously there have beensignificant business opportunities,but there is not much you can do inforce majeure conditions, especiallywhen these are valid for such a largearea. The damage that can be causedby the volcanic ash to the engine fanblades, external sensors andgenerally to the airframe represent arisk which cannot be taken, thereforewe understand the safety concerns ofthe involved authorities.”

Seawings Seaplane arranged toursof Dubai for stranded tourists while Ray Mills, operations directorPrivate Sky, reports that the volcanicash problems presented a majoropportunity to companies with anability to react quickly when airspace reopened.

Konstantin Novikov, head of salesand marketing of Aero CharterAirlines, says it was an opportunityand a problem. “There were manyrequests related to strandedpassengers who were trying to reachtheir homes in Ukraine mainly fromEU but our CJ3 was stuck in Berlinlosing revenue although thescheduled airline backlog then gaveus further business opportunities.”

Tanya Molskaya, marketing andcommunications manager ofPrivatAir SA, says there wereincreased requests for long haul

private flights from people who couldnot get back to Europe on scheduledservices. “We are also transportingpeople in light aircraft at low altitudesto move them from open commercialairports. Overall, we have receivedmany charter requests, but very fewUS carriers were prepared to fly intomost of Europe and most EU carrierswere grounded for several days due tothe ash and the 80 per cent reductionin airspace capacity.”

Bel Air Aviation rued thecancellation of all flights offshorefrom Denmark but did what it couldto help clients.

NetJets Europe Mark Wilsonrecalls: “The cancellation of morethan 95,000 commercial flights acrossEurope over seven days lead to majorbacklogs at main commercial airhubs. However, NetJets Europe’s scaleand ability to access smaller airports,such as Biggin Hill and Farnboroughin the UK, got its owners home.”

Charter operators and brokers arerefining their response techniqueswhile hoping for a more fact-basedand appropriate response from civilaviation authorities.

Charter operators hope for more measuredofficial response to volcanic ash fall-outs

Bernhard Fragner: opportunities andsetbacks at the same time.

Volcanic ash comprises highlyabrasive particles that maydamage aircraft components,particularly forward facingsurfaces of external parts andengine components. Airbusadvises: “They are made of sharprock fragments that will easilyerode plastic, metal and evenglass pieces. In service eventsshow that aircraft may sufferfrom extensive damage aftervolcanic ash encounter.”

In some cases a wide variety ofparts were removed and replacedafter they were sand blasted.These included windshields,forward cabin windows,navigation and landing lightscover, wing, stabiliser and finleading edges, engine nose cowlsand thrust reversers, and pitotand static probes.

“Ingestion of volcanic ash by engines may cause seriousdeterioration of engineperformance due to erosion ofmoving parts and/or partial orcomplete blocking of fuelnozzles,” it warns.

The damagevolcanic ash can cause

SPECIAL FOCUS – VOLCANIC ASH AFTERMATHContinued from page 13

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Phenom 1002010 model, 0 hours. Premium passengerdoor, weather radar, 2nd Mode Stransponder, electronic Jeppesen charts,TCAS 1, ADF, ELT/NAV, cockpit flood lights.Contact: Mark James. Tel: +44 (0) 1246 868902 Global Brands. Email: [email protected]

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800B1993, G-WYNE, S/N 258240, TT 5,758 hours,EU-OPS compliant, MSP Gold, Hawker 1000flight deck, TCAS II, Dual FMS, EGPWS, Newpaint/interior refurb 2006. Available forimmediate sale, $2.95m, offers invited.Contact: Ben Dean. Tel +44 208 564 3701Airclaims Ltd. Web: www.airclaims.com.Email: [email protected]

Special packages are available for advertising aircraft for sale in EBAN and on our website (www.ebanmagazine.com).

Picture adverts (40 words of text plus colour picture) cost £75 each. You can alsochoose our new display advertising option for larger inventories.

The Aircraft Market in Real TimeAircraft Shopper Online

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Buyers use ASOFor more information call +1-732-704-9561

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Oryx Jet has established itsoperational base at London BigginHill. “Our initial managed fleetcentres on the Challenger 604 but further aircraft types will be introduced as required,” says Mike Bradly Russell, ceo and major shareholder.

Rizon Jet plans to providemaintenance and technical supporton the managed Challengers. “Oryx’sarrival at Biggin Hill complements the activities of Rizon Jet, which will offer a one-stop suite of servicesto business aviation,” says its ceoPatrick Enz. “In autumn last yearMike Bradly Russell was introducedto Rizon Jet’s management and the synergy between seniormanagement was apparent from the outset,” he explains.

Bradly Russell adds: “Our clientswill have access to a brand new andluxurious Rizon FBO facility, whichthey will enjoy using.”

A chartered accountant, BradlyRussell was auditor of Cabair Groupin the late 1970s. He remains a non-executive director. In the early 1980she was instrumental in the formationof London European Ltd, the first ofthe low cost operators.

Enz explains. “While operatingseparately, it is the intention that ourtwo companies will work closelytogether to build support for the widerange of services we plan to offer atthe one location.”

Prayer roomsRizon Jet, which is based also in theMiddle East, is expecting completionof its new 130,000 sq m hangar andFBO/vip terminal facility at LondonBiggin Hill. Enz says: “The terminal isbeing designed to cater for aninternational clientele mainly fromEurope and the Middle East. Theground floor level will feature fiveopen seating areas and themezzanine floor will offer enclosedlounge areas with two private loungesfor clients as well as a crew loungewith work stations and a dedicatedrest area. Separate prayer rooms formale and female are also being built.”

He adds: “With a currentworkforce of 20 employees in BigginHill, Rizon Jet will eventually employa 100-strong team in the UK. Themajority of the workforce will be onthe engineering side while Rizon Jet isin talks with some OEMs to offermaintenance support on severalaircraft types hard on the heels ofreceiving its EASA/QCAA approvallast year.”

Oryx Jet andRizon launchcooperativepartnership

Career opportunities

Job advertisements can be placed at a cost of UK£50 per single column centimetre, theminimum depth being five centimetres. Job opportunity advertisements are alsoincluded on the EBAN web site free-of-charge.

Rizon Jet ceo Patrick Enz, Oryx Jet ceoMike Bradly Russell and JackieNikolajsen, gm Rizon Jet, Biggin Hill,celebrate ‘one-stop-shop’ plans.

Rizon Jet’s London Biggin Hill hangar.

For the latest job opportunities, see:

www.ebanmagazine.com/mag_jobs.html

IN OUR NEXT ISSUE

Fuel cost reduction:Keeping on top of every

operator's biggestexpense

Regional review: Belgium

Farnborough show preview

PUBLISHED JUNE 30TH

1. “21% FASTER” BASED ON LONG-RANGE CRUISE, 35,000 FEET. 2. OPERATING COSTS CALCULATED USING HBC SUPPORT PLUS+ PROGRAM AND CESSNA PRO PARTS AND POWER ADVANTAGE PROGRAMS. MAINTENANCE MAN HOURS DERIVED FROM CONKLIN DEDECKER AIRCRAFT COST EVALUATOR (FALL 2009). CONSULT WITH A HAWKER BEECHCRAFT SALES REPRESENTATIVE FOR DETAILEDINFORMATION. RESTRICTIONS APPLY. ©2010 HAWKER BEECHCRAFT CORPORATION. HAWKER AND BEECHCRAFT ARE REGISTERED TRADEMARKS OF HAWKER BEECHCRAFT CORPORATION.

21% FASTER.1 30% MORE SPACIOUS. BUILT WITH EUROPE IN MIND.The Hawker 750—the midsize jet at a light-mid price—makes a strong case for business, especially today. It delivers superior speed, longer range,

a 30% more spacious cabin and greater payload capacity than the Cessna Citation XLS+, all with comparable Direct Operating Costs.2Experts also agree

that the Hawker 750 is the right-size solution for your missions, offering smart businesses unmatched value described by Jetadvisors.com as “the

midsized aircraft with the superlight price tag.” Plus, you can enjoy access to the world’s largest factory-owned service network, available 24/7/365.

Learn more. In Europe, Africa & the Middle East: +44 (0)1244 523803 / Asia-Pacific: +852.3756.3755 or visit HawkerBeechcraft.com/Hawker

THE HAWKER 750.

30% MORE SPACIOUS CABIN.TALLER, WIDER, LONGER THAN CITATION XLS+

Documents

European Business Air News - June 2010