Graham Warwick/WASHINGTON DC
Raytheon Aircraft is backing efforts by its Mexican distributor, Aerolineas Ejecutivas, to establish a business jet fractional ownership programme in Mexico, using Beechjet 400As. The Mex Jet 2000 programme has yet to be launched, but Aerolineas is believed to be close to selling all the available shares in its first aircraft.
Based at Mexico City's Toluca general aviation airport, the company is marketing one-fifth shares in the Beechjet. The first aircraft for the programme has already been delivered by Raytheon. It is being used to demonstrate the benefits of shared ownership to potential customers. Aerolineas also has its own Beechjet - the first in Mexico - which will be used as a back-up aircraft for the Mex Jet 2000 programme.
Jim Link, Raytheon Aircraft's vice-president, international sales, says Aerolineas sees a significant market for fractional ownership in Mexico because many owners were forced to sell their aircraft following the country's economic crisis in 1994. Mexico previously had one of the world's largest business aircraft fleets - largely made up of older types. "The market is good, and shared ownership is a very economical way to go," he says.
Link says that Raytheon is working with Aerolineas to provide aircraft and financing. He believes a minimum of three Beechjets will be required to make the programme work.
Source: Flight International
