Hong Kong-based business jet company Metrojet has taken delivery of a third Gulfstream G200 and is negotiating to add a further two by year-end.
The additional aircraft will be managed on behalf of a group of owners, but will be available for charter part-time.
"We're focusing on aircraft management," says Metrojet business development manager Jolie Chung Howard. "It's very risky to buy large aircraft and just do charter operations."
Metrojet placed into service its first G200 super mid-size business jet in early 2004. This aircraft, which is owned by the manufacturer, replaced a larger Gulfstream IV that Gulfstream and Metrojet used to launch a charter operation in early 2001. A second G200 was delivered last year and is owned by Metrojet along with a group of Hong Kong-based businessmen.
Another group of Hong Kong-based businesses have teamed up to purchase the third G200, this time without any ownership from Metrojet. Two more groups are now discussing acquiring G200s for delivery this year, with Metrojet again acting as operator and maintenance provider. Metrojet specialises in offering VIP services from a business jet facility at Chek Lap Kok airport, with 60% of its flights heading to mainland China.
BRENDAN SOBIE/SINGAPORE
Source: Flight International
