UK business aircraft operator PrimeFlight has shut its doors five months after services began at its Northern Ireland base.
The company blames the forced suspension in April of its scheduled operation between Belfast and Brussels on "technical and operational hitches" which left the investor nervous (Flight International 27 April-3 March).
PrimeFlight former director Giles Atkinson says the operation's lack of a suitable charter fleet contributed to its downfall. "The Piaggio P180 Avanti [wetleased through Piaggio's Bologna-based subsidiary FoxAir] was ideal for short range European trips carrying around four passengers, but we were seeing increased demand for a longer range aircraft carrying up to eight passengers with bags, such as the superlight Cessna Citation Excel and Bombardier Learjet 45."
Primeflight conducted a costs analysis study, Atkinson says, and concluded that three aircraft were needed to gain a critical mass for the charter operation.
"With the huge cost involved and the dominance of major players like Bombardier Flexjet and Netjets Europe in this market, it was decided the plug would be pulled," says Atkinson.
KATE SARSFIELD / LONDON
Source: Flight International
