UK charter company Club328 is re-evaluating its product and service portfolio as part of an overhaul of the Southampton-based company by its new senior management team.
Elaine Young, who was appointed chief executive of Club328 last year following the death of Mike Farge, says the company will introduce a range of new products over the next 12 months, but some of the existing offerings have been withdrawn.
Club328 operates a Dornier 328Jet, a Raytheon Hawker 800 and two Premier Is, which are likely to be sold and replaced as they do not fit into the new company strategy.
Four Premier Is on order and option have also been cancelled. "The Premier Is are likely to be replaced by the Hawker 800 as this aircraft has the comfort and range that we are looking for. We will make a decision by the end of March," says Young.
Young is also looking to add a minimum of one 328Jet a year over the next two years, plus a further aircraft in 2008, although she admits that the popularity of this type for corporate and charter operations is making it increasingly difficult to locate good aircraft. "Within 12 months, I am looking to have a fleet of six aircraft, but only two aircraft types," she says.
Demand is likely to be generated by a range of new products that are under development, including corporate shuttles, VIP and leisure travel packages, and aircraft management, for which "we plan to have our first contract by the end of the first quarter", Young says.
In addition, Club328 is targeting the business and leisure markets in Scotland - where the company plans to base a 328Jet - and in France and Spain.
The company has ditched its block charter card offerings, as Young says they were not economically viable. "We plan to rebrand within 12 months with an image that will reflect our new range of products and services," she says.
Elaine Young, who was appointed chief executive of Club328 last year following the death of Mike Farge, says the company will introduce a range of new products over the next 12 months, but some of the existing offerings have been withdrawn.
Club328 operates a Dornier 328Jet, a Raytheon Hawker 800 and two Premier Is, which are likely to be sold and replaced as they do not fit into the new company strategy.
Four Premier Is on order and option have also been cancelled. "The Premier Is are likely to be replaced by the Hawker 800 as this aircraft has the comfort and range that we are looking for. We will make a decision by the end of March," says Young.
Young is also looking to add a minimum of one 328Jet a year over the next two years, plus a further aircraft in 2008, although she admits that the popularity of this type for corporate and charter operations is making it increasingly difficult to locate good aircraft. "Within 12 months, I am looking to have a fleet of six aircraft, but only two aircraft types," she says.
Demand is likely to be generated by a range of new products that are under development, including corporate shuttles, VIP and leisure travel packages, and aircraft management, for which "we plan to have our first contract by the end of the first quarter", Young says.
In addition, Club328 is targeting the business and leisure markets in Scotland - where the company plans to base a 328Jet - and in France and Spain.
The company has ditched its block charter card offerings, as Young says they were not economically viable. "We plan to rebrand within 12 months with an image that will reflect our new range of products and services," she says.
Source: Flight International
