Boosting its Boeing 737 fleet - and potentially adding 757 aircraft - is on the agenda for Swift Aviation Group, a fixed based operator (FBO) that runs a luxury terminal at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and a charter carrier called Swift Air.
The company's current fleet comprises 10 aircraft, including Cessna Citation and Embraer Legacy business jets as well as three former airline-configured Boeing 737s which have been refurbished with 68-seat, VIP cabins. These are flown on behalf of sports teams and corporations.
Swift's vice-president of light operations Michael White says that while the firm is not interested in competing with scheduled carriers, it is eyeing fleet growth "and is looking at a handful of options including more 737s".
Swift has focused on the 737 for narrowbody fleet growth because it "likes the reliability", has a lot of experience with the type and "a lot of support with vendors and partners with that particular model".
However, adds White: "We previously owned a 757 - we might look at that again at some point."
Very light jets could also be on the horizon if a business case can be made. "We're taking an optimistic view on that market until we make a determination," he says, adding that the Arizona-based company is also studying "other opportunities in other parts of the country".
As it pursues growth opportunities, Swift has become one of the "few charter airlines in the country" to reach an agreement with the FAA to establish an aviation safety action programme (ASAP), which encourages voluntary reporting of safety issues at airlines and maintenance centres.
"Participating in ASAP is not only the right thing to do for our customers, it's also a strategic business decision that we believe will set us apart from our competitors," says White.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
