Business & GA

Swiss on-demand air-taxi developer JetBird has formed a strategic partnership with German aviation industrialist Conrado Dornier in a move designed to build the credibility and awareness of the JetBird brand and establish a foothold in Germany, JetBird's largest market.

The company plans to launch its pan-European air-taxi operation in April 2009, with the first batch of 50 Embraer Phenom 100 very light jets and Phenom 300 light business jets on order.

Dómhnal Slattery, founder and chairman of JetBird, says: "It makes practical business sense to introduce individuals who can create a halo effect around a story."

Dornier is the son of pioneer aircraft designer Claudius Dornier.Slattery says: "Conrado's connections can open doors for JetBird, particularly to large corporations, which are a key focus for our air-taxi operation." Dornier owns Oberpfaffenhofen airport near Munich, a likely hub for JetBird, and is also acquiring a 3% equity stake in the company.

Slattery says all the equity capital in JetBird has been underwritten by major shareholder Claret Capital, in which Slattery is a managing partner. JetBird is to embark on a roadshow early next year to secure finance for the Phenom fleet.