Jet Aviation is hoping to cement its position as one of the largest providers of charter and management services in the USA, with its acquisition of Los Angeles, California-based Avjet.
The purchase of the 37-year-old company boosts Jet Aviation’s 103-strong, all-managed business jet fleet by 45 aircraft. This includes two midsize types – a Gulfstream G150 and a Hawker 800 – which are wholly-owned by Burbank airport-based Avjet. It also strengthens Jet Aviation’s position in the lucrative Californian business aviation market, where it has a small but expanding operation at Van Nuys airport.
“We are always looking at different opportunities that fit with our strategy of expanding into key US locations and growing our fleet of midsize, large-cabin and long-range business jets,” says Don Haloburdo, vice-president and general manager of Jet Aviation Flight Services – the group's aircraft management and charter division for The Americas.
“Avjet fits our model well, but there are few other opportunities out there,” he adds.
Large-cabin, long-range aircraft are a key plank of Jet Aviation’s strategy. “We are a global company [with bases worldwide] and many of our customers fly internationally. It is important that our fleet has this capability,” says Haloburdo.
He says there is “plenty of business in the US to sustain a large fleet and create revenue for the aircraft owners. “Our fleet has grown between 8-12% annually over the past few years, and large-cabin aircraft movements in the US soared last year by around 80%,” he notes.
Source: Flight International
