Regional block charter programme attracts EADS Socata, providing rules on single-engine operations change
EADS Socata is poised to back a franchise-based block charter programme in France if European rules on public transport using single-engined aircraft are modified later this year.
The general aviation arm of EADS wants to boost business aviation use of the six-seat TBM700 C2, which is largely operated by owner-flyers in Europe, says Socata chief executive Stéphane Mayer. One concept the company has endorsed is BusinessFly, which involves the creation of regional block charter programmes in which small- and medium-size enterprises (SME) from one region have access to aircraft in a small pool. BusinessFly aims to create a franchise model, with each new “Enterprise Aviation Club” sharing a common air operator’s certificate (AOC).
EADS Socata is part of the Single Engine Turboprop Alliance (SETA), which is lobbying for a change in operating rules to allow single-engined aircraft to be operated for passenger transport. The group believes a change is imminent, with France likely to permit single-engine instrument flight rules operations ahead of a decision by the European Aviation Safety Agency once it takes over operational regulation in 2007. BusinessFly has joined SETA to give an operator viewpoint, although its order for three TBM700s is conditional on the rule change, says founder Lionel Roques.
BusinessFly would sell 100h, 200h or 300h blocks of time for €160,000-190,000 ($195,000-230,000) depending on the average mission profile of regional SMEs, he says. The operation aims to start in Toulouse next year and operate under its own AOC. The company says it has five letters of intent from interested parties. The plan is to spread to other French regional centres before expanding to the rest of Europe, says Roques. “We are the missing link, as corporate aviation is only available to blue chip companies and is not reachable by SMEs, who could benefit enormously,” says BusinessFly founder Cyril Baert.
BusinessFly would be offered as a franchise, with a central holding group leasing the aircraft to franchisees, performing maintenance and running a centralised operational department. The franchisees would wet-lease the aircraft from BusinessFly Group, which would hold the AOC, leaving each Enterprise Aviation Club to satisfy the licensing authorities’ financial audits rather than safety.
JUSTIN WASTNAGE/PARIS
Source: Flight International
