Norwich is the latest UK city to stake a bid to become a hub of business aviation. Local operator SaxonAir is investing £6.5 million ($10 million) in a two-hangar business aviation centre at the airport and plans to add to its five-aircraft charter fleet with larger aircraft.
The business, which has won a £6 million executive handling contract from the airport, will open the 100 x 40m (330 x 130ft) three-storey facility in the first quarter. The company is hopeful it can secure tenants including from the North Sea helicopter sector.
The three-year-old start-up was last year bought by local investor Roger Klyne, who has injected £20 million into the business, says commercial manager James Palmer, one of three founders. Its charter fleet comprises a Hawker 400X, a Beechcraft King Air 350, a Cessna Citation Mustang and a Eurocopter EC135 and EC120.
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"All of them are new or nearly new and 100%-owned," says Palmer. "We are in a very lucky position as we managed to expand during the recession and were in a strong buying position."
He adds: "Our next step is to look at management contracts, maybe a Challenger 300 or Cessna XLS or Hawker 900."
A base in Norwich has the advantage of avoiding the overheads of the London region, but being close enough to the capital to pick up high-value business from there, says Palmer. "We also want to build up our local clientele too," he says.
Source: Flight International
