Air Transport

Swiss business aviation services provider PrivatAir is seeking to acquire a Boeing 767 to meet the growing demand for large group charters, notably from sports teams and musicians. The move comes as PrivatAir’s US affiliate establishes a dedicated team to cater for the burgeoning financial roadshow market in the USA.

PrivatAir chief operating officer Europe and Middle East Dave Kinson says the 767 would be converted into a 44-seat first-class configuration and will join a heavily used 50-seat 757 on the charter tour circuit. “The 767 will probably replace one of our three Boeing Business Jets as it would offer more baggage space and a longer range.” Kinson says there is a shortage of 767s and available aircraft are overpriced. “We are prepared to wait for the right aircraft at the right price.”

Privatair’s Stratford, Connecticut-based US affiliate is planning to expand its financial roadshow business in the face of unprecedented demand for the service from investment banks. “The financial roadshow market has more than doubled in 2005 compared with the previous year and we expect continued substantial growth in 2006,” says Mark Reichin, senior vice-president of charter sales.