Bombardier is to merge its aircraft sales, aircraft shares and new internet charter brokerage businesses in Europe into a "one-stop" service.
The Canadian business aircraft manufacturer's European Flexjet block charter programme, its whole aircraft sales arms and its newly launched Skyjet Europe internet charter broker are to be amalgamated to offer products across the whole market.
Bombardier changed its marketing strategy in Europe early last year when it abandoned its Flexjet fractional programme on the continent, citing European-specific needs. Sales teams from the relaunched Flexjet Europe Jet Membership block charter programme are being integrated with traditional used and new aircraft salesmen and newly appointed charter brokers for Skyjet. Sales teams will work together in one office close to London Heathrow Airport rather than several locations around Europe and will work from one customer database.
Jahid Fazal Karim, Bombardier senior vice-president for international sales, says the aim is to offer bundles of products to corporations. "We would like to offer a one-stop solution where customers buy a whole aircraft combined with a share and ad hoc charter." Fazal Karim says the integration of the sales teams is a response to tough trading and a need to "find more creative ways of selling aircraft".
The company will double its sales force in Europe as it shifts focus from North America, where it faces severely reduced demand.
Bombardier's latest aircraft development - the super-mid-size Challenger 300 - made its European debut on 5 May when it landed at EBACE.
Source: Flight International
