German charter operator Cirrus Aviation has added London to its portfolio of European operations as it finalises the acquisition of companies in Luxembourg and Switzerland.
The Saarbrücken-based company launched its sales office at London Biggin Hill late last month to handle requests from aircraft brokers, the majority of which are based in the UK capital.
The company, part of the Cirrus group that also includes Cirrus Airlines, acquired Berne, Switzerland-based Swiss Eagle in November last year and is finalising its takeover of Luxembourg’s Lux Aviation, adding three Cessna CitationJets between the two companies.
Cirrus Aviation managing director Stefan Buschle says the strategy is to add locations in the core market of western Europe, with the renamed Cirrus Lux Aviation responsible for sales in Belgium, France and the Netherlands in addition to Luxembourg. Cirrus Swiss Eagle is handling Italy and Switzerland. In addition, the company has a Cirrus Middle East office in Beirut and is close to establishing a Russian office as Cirrus Moscow.
Cirrus Aviation UK chief operating officer Ben Leon says establishing an office in the UK, where Cirrus Aviation has no plans to base aircraft, was essential as 70-80% of its bookings are with brokers.
“One-third of our business comes from UK brokers, even if the travel doesn’t originate in London, so it’s important to build personal relationships with them to protect and grow the business,” he says.
The company will be adding aircraft, including long-range types, and needs to grow the business as a result, says Leon. “We’ve transformed from a German company into a European one and now we will be intercontinental,” says Buschle. Cirrus has a largely Bombardier fleet of 12 owned and one managed aircraft in Germany and has six aircraft on order. The company is due to take delivery of a Bombardier Global Express XRS next month, followed by an Embraer Legacy, Challenger 300, Global 5000 and an additional Learjet 40 in January.
Buschle says the existing mid-size aircraft fleet averages 1,000-1,200h utilisation per year, with lighter jets averaging 700h.
JUSTIN WASTNAGE / LONDON
Source: Flight International
