KATE SARSFIELD / LONDON
Establishment of charter division comes as company streamlines flight operations
Bombardier has formed European charter division Skyjet Europe, formally establishing the company's growing on-demand charter operation across the region. The move brings the Skyjet brand, which Bombardier acquired two years ago, to the continent for the first time.
Simultaneously, Bombardier has streamlined its European flight operations business, with Skyjet Europe responsible for charter, and Flexjet Europe its Jet Membership commitment programme, in which a number of improvements have been implemented.
"Customers tell us they want a broad range of products to satisfy their evolving travel needs," says Flexjet Europe and Skyjet Europe managing director Daniel Maiden. "We have introduced a range of solutions from which they can pick and choose," he adds.
Maiden says: "Skyjet Europe is the world's first occupied hours business jet charter scheme. Customers can expect to pay the same price for journeys of the same length, regardless of their point of departure and destination. This is unique in Europe."
For example, a one-way flight in a Learjet 31A light business jet from Frankfurt to Paris, Birmingham to Amsterdam or Dublin to Edinburgh incurs a standard price of €6,000 ($6,300).
Skyjet Europe will introduce an on-line charter quotation and reservation facility in May, Maiden says.
Flexjet Europe has widened the "fixed price area" of its Jet Membership programme to include a number of former Eastern European countries such as Albania, Macedonia, Poland and Slovakia.
"Customers no longer have to commit to an aircraft type or trip profile when they join," Maiden says. "Customers are charged for the trip they want, which is customised to their flying requirements, with no penalties."
Maiden admits acceptance of the use of business aircraft in Europe has been slow, but is steadily gathering pace. This is reflected in the transition of Flexjet Europe from a share-based fractional leasing provider in 1999 to a more flexible and tailored operation today.
Maiden says: "Time and experience has taught us that customers [in Europe] don't want to be tied to long-term contracts or a particular aircraft type. We will continue to adapt our programmes as we listen to their needs."
Flexjet Europe has over 100 customers and Bombardier is expecting a 30% increase in revenues for the second consecutive year, says Maiden. The company uses a growing fleet of 53 Bombardier types from its nine-strong "preferred operator base" across Europe.
Source: Flight International
