E U R O P E A N
BUSINESS AIR NEWS ISSUE 222
FEBRUARY 2012
SaxonAir enters mid-size market with 900XP
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A splendid day of 11 BGAD business Business & General Aviation Day aviation September 18th, 2012 www.bgad.aero
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Multiflight adds second charter Dauphin
Leading UK private aviation company Multiflight has added a second Dauphin helicopter to its fleet of charter helicopters, alongside its Twin Squirrel and JetRanger. “We can now offer our charter customers even greater choice for private travel by helicopter,” says md Steve Borrowdale. “An increasing number of people are recognising the benefits of charter travel, including flexibility and hassle-free travelling.” The new Dauphin has undergone a major refurbishment at Multiflight’s in-house engineering and maintenance facility at Leeds Bradford, including the installation of new avionics, cream interior and repaint.
Norwich-based air charter operator SaxonAir has placed an order for its first mid-size jet, a new Hawker 900XP, with delivery expected in spring 2012. Chris Mace, md of SaxonAir, says: “We are very excited by the new opportunities that the Hawker will offer SaxonAir and its customers. It will allow us to expand our business by offering clients a greater choice of nonstop destinations with an enhanced in-flight experience. We considered several other aircraft in its class, however the 900XP delivered a combination of range, speed, payload and comfort that we could not find in any other mid-size jet.” The 900XP can travel 2,600nm carrying up to eight passengers in a stand-up cabin with galley and fullsized private lavatory. SaxonAir will be offering the aircraft for private charter with many of the same onboard creature comforts that one would expect to find on larger sized jets; a benefit that operations manager Lee McGahan describes as “right-sizing”. “We feel it is important to provide our clients with the same level of service and onboard benefits that they might be used to on super mid-size and heavy jets,” he says “A multilingual flight attendant, hot food, satellite telephone and wireless internet connection will all be included as part of the first class cabin service. After all, the aircraft may be occupied for hours at a time, and it is important that the client feels as comfortable and ‘at home’ as possible.” Sean McGeough, Hawker
Beechcraft president for Europe, Middle East and Africa, says: “We know that SaxonAir carried out a very thorough review of the market before placing this order. It’s a testament to all of the team at Hawker Beechcraft and a reflection of SaxonAir’s previous experience with our aircraft that they have selected the 900XP. “Having our own service centre close by in Chester was also seen as beneficial in maximising aircraft availability, with the whole package providing better value and a competitive advantage to SaxonAir’s business.”
Aboard the SaxonAir Hawker 400XP, soon to be joined by a bigger sister 900XP.
SaxonAir has experienced a 12.5% increase in charter flights flown and a 65% increase in handled flights since moving into its new £7.9m facility at Norwich airport last May. Its current fleet now consists of a Hawker 400XP, a King Air 350, a Citation Mustang, and Eurocopter EC120 and EC135 helicopters at Norwich, a second Mustang at Thessaloniki in Greece, and a EC135 at Redhill near London Gatwick.
Comlux commits sixth aircraft to Moscow The audited magazine for business aviation in Europe
Comlux has taken delivery of a new Airbus ACJ319 under management contract for an undisclosed customer, and this has become the sixth aircraft managed and operated by Fly Comlux in Russia. The fleet based in Moscow also includes an ACJ318, two Global XRS, a Global 5000 and a Challenger 605. The aircraft is available on the vip
charter market and has a cabin certified for 19 passengers and designed by Comlux Creatives’ designer Tim Callies. The main room offers a vip lounge with L-shaped divan, two club seats and a large dining table for six guests. At the front of the cabin a fully private compartment has a large bedroom with two beds completed by a
dedicated bathroom with shower. The cabin also features a first class seating area at the back for guests. “This new management contract for Comlux confirms its experience in operating the ACJ family and its positioning as the premier Airbus vip operator worldwide,” says Andrea Zanetto, ceo of Fly Comlux. “Together with our ACJ318 already based in
Moscow, the ACJ319 offers a highly comfortable and luxurious flying experience for our clientele in Russia, the CIS countries and the Middle East region”. The total Comlux fleet comprises 19 aircraft and includes two ACJ319s, a 767BBJ, four Global Express, three Challenger 605s, two Challenger 850s and a Dassault Falcon 900 LX.