NetJets is hoping to expand its fractional ownership and aircraft management programmes outside its established bases in the USA, Europe and China and is currently evaluating Russia, India and Latin America as potential markets.
The revelation comes as NetJets Europe gears up to accept its first Bombardier Challenger 350. “The first aircraft will be delivered early next year,” says NetJets Europe sales director Marine Eugene. “We will be taking five in 2015 and have already pre-sold two aircraft. With transcontinental range and the ability to seat up to 10 passengers, this aircraft is proving very popular.”
NetJets placed an order for up to 75 of the super-midsize types in 2012 as part of a $9.6 billion order for 425 business jets from the Bombardier and Cessna stables. The company has also placed separate multi-billion dollar orders for Embraer Phenom 300s – its entry level product – and Bombardier’s Global family of business jets, which sit at the top of its product offering.
The new aircraft are part of a “top-to-tail” overhaul of NetJets’ 500+ strong fleet and should all be incorporated into the operator’s global inventory over the next 10 years. NetJets’ older types are gradually being phased out.
All new aircraft are equipped with NetJets’ bespoke interior, Signature Series, which features advanced in-flight entertainment and a customised cabin.
NetJets has already taken delivery of 34 Phenom 300s and 19 Globals – four of each are in service in Europe. The first Challenger 350 was handed over to the US programme in June and eight will be in service before the end of the year, says Eugene. “The Challenger 350 fills a gap in our product line between the superlight XLS+ and the large-cabin [Dassault Falcon] 2000EX. This is the first time we have been able to offer a super-midsize option.”
The Challenger 350s will only be available to NetJets’ fractional ownership customers, with shares from as little as a 16th – or 50 flying hours a year – being sold.
Eugene says NetJets Europe’s 1,000 customers are evenly split between the card and fractional ownership programmes. She admits the new fleet is helping to regenerate the market and stimulate interest in the NetJets brand across Europe, which has been impacted heavily by the financial downturn. Many customers – particularly owners of smaller cabin aircraft – saw the value of their share depreciate as the market collapsed. Despite this setback, most owners have remained with the programme.
Europe’s recovery is mixed. The UK and Germany are performing well, but Italy, France and Spain remain fragile. “It is an unstable geopolitical space so we are spreading our exposure,” she says.
Tom Hoyt, NetJets senior vice-president communication, says the Berkshire Hathaway-owned company is keen “to have a presence in every [major] market, with a broad fleet of aircraft. We are looking at a number of areas including Russia, Latin America and India. We will only proceed when we have the right partners and when we are confident that we can make it work,” he says. ■
Source: Flight International
