Air Transport

Singapore-based fractional ownership start-up Executive Jet Asia (EJA) plans to begin operations early next month using a Bombardier Learjet 35 wet-leased from South Africa’s Rossair.

EJA plans to buy one Learjet 35 and one Cessna Citation II by the end of March to support the launch of South-East Asia’s first fractional service. It says owners have already been identified for the first two aircraft, but they wanted to “see and use an aircraft” before firming up their commitments.

EJA will also offer aeromedical evacuation flights and charter the aircraft to non-owners. It initially planned to begin operations in early 2005, but without an aircraft in service had trouble selling enough fractions to launch. EJA plans to hire companies in Indonesia and Thailand to operate its aircraft, but will later consider applying for its own air operator’s certificate. It intends to base all its aircraft at Singapore’s Seletar airport.

n Global Wings has delayed the launch of Japan’s first business jet charter operation until the second quarter of this year.