Executive Airlines plans to expand at the double Executive Airlines ...

EUROPEAN BUSINESS AIR NEWS
Improvements to airport facilities in
Europe are encouraging charter
operators to expand their fixed
wing and helicopter fleets. Deliveries
in the U.K. include a brand new
EC135 T2+. Michael Hampton, md of
Oxford Air Services, says: “The
recently installed instrument landing
system and greatly increased opening
hours, has transformed Oxford
Airport for corporate jet traffic and
the onward 25 minute helicopter
flight into London.”
The EC135 T2+ is configured for
up to six passengers with a cruise
speed of 130+ knots. Hampton
adds: “It has been deliberately
priced below Agusta 109 rates
to encourage new users. The
selection of the EC135 T2+ was a
logical one based on experience. We
have been so impressed by the
reliability and popularity of our
first EC135, that we were delighted
to take under management this
second aircraft. We make our
helicopters are available 24/7 often at
very short notice.”
Oxford Air Services also operates
AS350 and AS355s and specialises in
the full range of aerial photography.
Le Castellet in France is setting out
its stall to attract top-of-the-range
business jet owners with the
construction of a new hangar able to
accommodate two BBJs. The new
5,000 sq. m hangar opens in May and
is in addition to four others able to
take up to Global Express or
Gulfstream IV and V.
Philippe Gurdjian, airport
president and ceo, says: “We now
have the best business aviation
adapted airport in the south of
France. BBJ owners can park their
aircraft safely and shielded from any
salt pollution, a true advantage and a
considerable asset bearing in mind
the proximity of the Mediterranean.”
Meanwhile the U.K.’s Coventry
airport has appointed Blue City
Aviation to handle its FBO. “The
airport witnessed a 35 per cent
increase in private jet traffic in
2007 over the previous year,” says
Chris Orphanou, airport ceo.
“Our business strategy includes
bolstering the amount of corporate
jet charters and with our 24/7
availability and our close proximity to
all the major motorways, we have a
real advantage.”
Blue City Engineering offers
heated and secure hangar facilities
for private jets. It is JAR/FAA
approved on aircraft including the
Cessna Citation jet and Jetstream
31/32 and Metroliner turboprops.
APRIL 2008 11
Le Castellet and Oxford invest to attract corporate and charter aircraft
Aviaxess runs up
marathon support
pedigree
France’s Aviaxess reports that its role
as official aerial support partner for
the 23rd Marathon des Sables (Sand
Marathon) for the fourth consecutive
year has brought a steady stream of
business enquiries.
But Frédéric Aguettant, ceo, says:
“We support the sand marathon
because of its respect for the
environment and its encouragement
of the values of discipline and hard
work in the pursuit of excellence.”
Aviaxess, based in Paris and Hyères,
provided a Ecureuil dedicated to
health evacuations, overflights for
security and promoting the event and
transport of sponsors, guests,
equipment and personnel to different
sites. It also carried out aerial
photography and surveillance.
Aviaxess has expanded its Parisbased
fleet with recent additions
including the AS350 BA, and the AS350
B2. Barthelemy Gilles, marketing and
communications director, says:
“These helicopters will help Aviaxess
reinforce and broaden its services.”
Conan McGale; global role.
Little and large charter demand
grows in Middle East and Russia
The Charter Company, a broker
based in London, is reporting
increasing demand from the Middle
East and Russia for long range aircraft
sourced from the U.K. “It can be more
competitive than sourcing from
within those regions,” says Conan
McGale who has joined The Charter
Company from Ocean Sky where he
specialised in the Russian vvip
market. Julian Burrell, charter sales
director, says The Charter Company
is expanding its worldwide service.
Another growth area of business, he
says, revolves around private charter
of light jets within Europe.
Technical manager
In the March issue of EBAN we
reported that Vladimir Jovanovic was
md of Prince Aviation. He is, in fact,
technical manager. Our apologies for
the error.
Michael Hampton, md, Oxford Air Services (left) receives helicopter and paperwork
from David Lewis, sales director, Eurocopter UK.
The growing demand for handling
services in eastern Europe has led to
the expansion of Bulgaria’s Right Air
which offers charter, broker, vip,
passenger and cargo flight handling
services at Sofia, Plovdiv, Gorna
Oryahovitsa, Bourgas and Varna. Ivan
Alexndrov, gm says Right Air can
arrange overfly permission for private
charter operators and others.
Encore FBO, GTCR Golder Rauner
and Platform Partners have
completed the acquisition of
Landmark Aviation’s airport services
division, consisting of 33 FBOs, from
Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE).
The combined company, which will
retain the Landmark Aviation name,
consists of 41 FBOs.
Swissport International, meanwhile,
has obtained the licences for a
period of seven years to provide
ground services at Larnaca and
Paphos in Cyprus, working with its
partners G.A.P. Vassilopoulos and
Cyprus Airways.