UK air taxi operator expects two 328Jets from AvCraft administrator and aims to find three more this year
UK air-taxi operator Club328 has finalised its fleet-expansion strategy, following the bankruptcy of AvCraft, with which it had placed an eight-aircraft order.
The Southampton-based operator changed its name from Bookajet last November to reflect its order for eight Dornier 328Jets and the type’s Envoy 3 VIP variant. After it delivered the first of the 328Jets, AvCraft Aerospace filed for insolvency in March. Club328 says it now expects to receive a maximum of two aircraft from its order from AvCraft administrator Pluta Rechtsanwalts, which itwill have fitted out in VIP configuration.
However, Club328 chief executive Mike Farge says the company is still committed to the type and will look to add a further two or three used 328Jets before the end of the year to take its fleet to five. Farge says the company has already “sourced” the aircraft it requires. It has also taken delivery of a Dornier 328 turboprop from CIT Aerospace configured with 12 VIP seats as an interim measure.
The 328Jets require a structural modification to convert the dropped aisle to a flat floor and Club328 is in talks with modification specialists in the USA and Europe to carry out the work.
Farge says the company’s rapid expansion plan, targeting private individuals, was dealt a “huge blow” by the collapse of AvCraft, but it has since revised its business plan to incorporate other aircraft types. Club328 has also firmed up its wider fleet plans. A further two Raytheon Hawker 125s will be added before the middle of next year, and it is studying the addition of a light jet to suit Club328’s typical stage length of under 1,850km (1,000nm) with two to four passengers on board. Club 328 is considering entry-level business jets including the Grob Aerospace G180 SPn, Beechcraft Premier I and Embraer Light Jet. He says financing has been agreed and the company has recruited flight and cabin crew.
Farge says the company will not change its name as it has embarked on marketing efforts and product placement campaigns based around the name. “The name Club328 has caught on and for people not associated with the aviation industry, they don’t even know where it comes from,” he says.
JUSTIN WASTNAGE/LONDON
Source: Flight International
