Luxembourg turboprop fractional operator Jet Fly is to add the Pilatus PC-12 high-speed turboprop into its programme from July. Owners of the company's seven EADS Socata TBM 700Bs will be able to exchange them for the larger aircraft, which will also be offered to new customers.
Christophe Popovitch, Jet Fly commercial director, says there is increased demand from the operator's 25 customers for a longer range, bigger aircraft and the nine-passenger PC-12 complements the four-passenger TMB 700. Jet Fly has already sold six firm one-eighth shares in the PC-12 and has another four customers holding letters of intent. The company will receive its first aircraft in July from the Swiss manufacturer and plans to take delivery of a second leased aircraft in August in anticipation of full ownership by year-end.
The company says it has no plans to offer fractional ownership in a jet aircraft and says the two high-speed turboprops are the best answers to the "infrastructure problems" many small airfields in Jet Fly's "greater France" catchment area have.
Jet Fly, which is obliged to fly under private operation rules until Europe's Joint Aviation Authorities permits commercial operation of single-engined aircraft under instrument flight rules, believes there is "huge demand" for turboprops as charter aircraft.
Source: Flight International
