Kate Sarsfield/LONDON
ChauffAir has placed the largest ever single order for Cessna business jets in Europe. The seven Citation Excels, valued at $63 million, will be delivered to the Farnborough, UK-based operator in 2001 and join its business jet leasing scheme ChauffAir Share, which began on 21 October.
"Private jets have always had an exotic image, with a reputation for corporate excess and eye-watering expense. These aircraft have an important role to play in the European business scene, however, and ChauffAir Share is designed to expand their use," says ChauffAir owner and managing director Nick Probett.
The company, which claims to be the largest owner and operator of business jets in the UK, with its seven-strong fleet, says there is a potentially huge market for business aircraft in Europe as political and trade barriers are removed. "There are about 1,800 corporate aircraft in the whole of Europe compared with 12,000 in North America, even though in terms of population and economic output Europe rivals the USA," says Probett. ChauffAir Share, he claims, will appeal to corporations that are reluctant to use business aircraft. "Business culture in Europe is resistant to corporate aircraft use and companies need a strong alternative to the old ways of either ownership or charter," he says.
Under the terms of the programme, customers will have access to the entire ChauffAir Share fleet, which consists of Cessna Citation II/V Bombardier Learjet 35s and Raytheon Hawker 700/800s. Charges include a monthly management fee of $8,500, which provides 50 occupied flight hours a year and a guaranteed aircraft delivery time of 24h, with Hawker customers given priority. A $2,400 occupied flying hour fee is also levied.
"There will be no investment required, just a fully refundable deposit of $100,000, for a minimum commitment of 12 months. There is no comparison with full ownership and we will be cheaper than ad hoc charter and fractional ownership," says Probett.
Source: Flight International
