Luxaviation, one of the world's largest fixed-wing charter and management companies, is seeking to become a dominant player in the international VIP helicopter charter market through a newly formed alliance with other rotorcraft operators.
Launched on 5 March by its Luxaviation Helicopters subsidiary, the alliance is described as an "industry first", and provides a "world-class standard in luxury rotorcraft travel".
The operator line-up consists of Azur Helicoptere of France, Heli Austria, HeliFlite in the USA, which became a Luxaviation operating partner in 2018, Philippines-based PhilJets, and Luxaviation-owned ExecuJet, which operates helicopters in Mexico and South Africa, and Starspeed of the UK.
The network gives brokers and clients "seamless" access to 70 VIP helicopters globally, says Luxaviation, with each provider meeting the "same stringent safety practices and customer service levels". Other operators will be added to the network shortly, it adds.
Luxaviation
Since its launch in 2017, Luxaviation Helicopters has "sought ways to partner and work with rotorcraft operators in different regions to provide a truly global service", says chief executive Charlotte Pedersen.
"The launch of the Luxaviation Helicopters Charter Alliance takes this a step further, as approved members can call upon each other to unlock more of the world's regions and open them up to their clients," she adds.
Pedersen's outlook is echoed by Azur Helicoptere chief executive Michel de Rohozinski, who describes the alliance as an opportunity for his VIP clients to access "assured and reliable" rotorcraft connections in other parts of the world.
Azur Helicoptere is looking "forward to working with our global partners to develop our client service, operational support and future business", he says.
The alliance also complements Luxaviation's wider VIP offering, Pedersen notes, and helps to keep customers within its business aviation services network, which also includes 200 jets and turboprops and 25 fixed-base operations.
Source: Flight International
