Aircraft sales marketing and finance company Aelis Group has set up a dedicated business aircraft arm in Poland to exploit the burgeoning demand for executive aircraft within this flourishing eastern European country. "Poland will be the main focus of Aelis Polska," said Leszek Sieluk, chairman of the new company. "However, we are also looking at [neighbouring] countries - Ukraine, Russia and Belarus - where demand for corporate aviation is on the increase as well," he added.
Warsaw-based Aelis Polska will "design tailor-made solutions for aircraft buyers and sellers", said Sieluk. Services include sourcing aircraft and finance, and handling agents, maintenance providers and operators. "Poland's economy is thriving. There is a lot of investment here, new companies are being established and the country is waking up to the value of business aviation ," Sieluk said.
This view is supported by Flight Global's ACAS database, which records an increase in Poland's turbine corporate aircraft fleet from 21 jets and turboprops in 2009 to 37 aircraft today.
Business aircraft have become essential for many companies and individuals here, Sieluk continued, due to the country's inadequate transportation infrastructure. "Many businesses - particularly those that need to visit multiple destinations in a short space of time or access remote regions not served by the commercial airlines - are turning to private aircraft in increasing numbers," he said.
Source: Flight International