UK charter and management company Zenith Aviation is preparing to take delivery early next year of the first of two Bombardier Learjet 75s from an October order for the superlight business jet.
The arrival of the seven-seaters, in February and April 2018, will help to fill the demand for short-haul charter flights from within the burgeoning European market.
The London Biggin Hill-based company already owns a pair of Learjet 75s and a similar-sized Cessna Citation XLS. Zenith also manages two Learjet 45s – the predecessor to the 75. One is managed on a solely private basis, along with a large-cabin Challenger 604.
Zenith Aviation
Zenith managing director Stuart Mulholland describes the European charter market as “buoyant”. He says that between January and November 2017, the company's four-strong charter fleet recorded more than 2,200h: an increase of 600h compared with the same period last year. “With the two extra 75s, and perhaps a Mustang at the lower end of our offering, we will have the short-range market nailed,” says Mulholland. “We now plan to diversify into the long-range segment, which is also thriving.”
The company will grow its high-end fleet through management contracts rather than outright acquisitions, Mulholland notes. It is “actively seeking” Global 6000/5000 and Challenger 600-series business jets, which will put the “highly sought-after” Middle East, Russia and east coast of the USA within its range, he says.
Source: Flight International
