German business aircraft services company FAI rent-a-jet has posted a record turnover for its air ambulance operation in 2016, but the company’s overall performance for the year was flat, mainly because of a fall in demand for its special-missions services.
Nuremberg-headquartered FAI – one of Europe’s largest business aircraft operators – posted revenues of €80 million ($85 million) in 2016 – almost unchanged from the previous year – but turnover from its air ambulance division rose by more than 8% to €45 million from €41.7 million in the previous 12 months.
The 11-strong fleet of Bombardier Learjet 55s, 60s and Challenger 604s flew more than 892 missions to 329 destinations in 12 countries, FAI says. “In total, the fleet flew around 4.8 million kilometres [2.6 million nm] – a distance equivalent to circumnavigating the globe more than 117 times,” it adds.
FAI rent-a-jet
FAI founder and chairman Siegfried Axtmann describes the air ambulance division as “FAI’s largest and strongest business by far”. To accommodate the growing demand, another Learjet 60 and a Challenger 604 were added to fleet in January, and Axtmann says more aircraft will join the line-up this year.
In contrast, revenues from FAI’s special-missions operation – which it runs on behalf of undisclosed non-governmental organisations – slid by €7 million in 2016 to €15 million. Axtmann attributes this decline to budget cuts across the NGOs and the closure of some bases in former conflict zones.
Source: Flight International
