Graham Warwick/WASHINGTON DC
Bombardier is to take control of the FlexJet business-jet fractional-ownership programme, which began as a joint venture with US fixed-base operator AMR Combs. The Canadian manufacturer says that fractional ownership has become a key part of its business-aviation strategy. It wants to "-take over the whole operation."
The FlexJet programme is part of the Business JetSolutions joint venture formed by Bombardier and AMR Combs in 1995. In the two years that it has been operating, the fractional-ownership programme has grown to 40 aircraft and over 175 owners. A 50% increase in the fleet is forecast for 1998. The fleet is divided roughly equally between Bombardier's light Learjet 31A, mid-sized Learjet 60 and large Canadair Challenger.
Bombardier is to acquire AMR Combs' interest in the FlexJet programme for an undisclosed sum. While there will be a change of ownership, the personnel, infrastructure and systems will remain unchanged, says Business JetSolutions president Rob Gillespie.
AMR Combs will continue to operate the venture's Alliance and Alliance Plus aircraft-management programmes until a third party can be found to take them over. This is because Bombardier, as a non-US company, cannot hold the Part 135 operating certificate required to fly owners' aircraft on charters. The FlexJet programme also needs a USpartner with a Part 135 certificate, to allow customer-demonstration flights, although the majority of flying is under Part 91 on behalf of the aircraft owners'.
Business JetSolutions, meanwhile, has announced that it has increased its order for Learjet 45 business jets for the FlexJet programme from 25 to 40 with a further ten on option. The company says that it has sold several of the aircraft on order.
Source: Flight International
