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Flexjet announces European operations

Expands Flexjet’s growing international travel capabilities and provides point-to-point private jet travel services within Europe. European operations set to begin by Q4 2016.

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – Flexjet LLC, offering travelers access to the world’s most luxurious fleet of private jets, disclosed additional details of its planned international expansion. Through a fleet of U.S. and European-based aircraft, Flexjet will provide point-to-point global travel capabilities for Flexjet Owners. In addition, international private jet travelers will soon be able to participate in Flexjet programs providing them with access to some of the world’s most desirable private aircraft as well as Flexjet’s renowned levels of service.

Flexjet’s European operations will come via an acquisition of a company with an existing operating certificate. A letter of intent has been signed and a purchase is expected to close later this year, with the first European-based aircraft to be in operation by year’s end.

London-based Raymond Jones, recognized for his accomplishments as a Senior Vice President of sales with Bombardier, will spearhead international operations as Flexjet’s Managing Director –International. Jones is a former Royal Air Force Squadron Leader and holds a Master’s degree in Air Transport Management from City University, London. Jones became familiar with Flexjet when it was owned by Bombardier. In 2013, Flexjet was acquired by Directional Aviation, which was founded in 1981 and is home to the most respected portfolio of private aviation companies around the globe.

“We will serve the global marketplace with programs and services that are astutely tailored to the needs of private jet travelers, while also offering our North American base of shared aircraft Owners the ability to travel internationally without ever having to leave the Flexjet family,” said Flexjet Chairman Kenneth Ricci, who made the announcement in advance of the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE). “Ray Jones’ all-encompassing knowledge of the international market will afford us a tremendous advantage as we establish a significant operation here in Europe.”

Jones said, “I have long admired Kenn Ricci’s vision for Flexjet’s expansion and am delighted to have the opportunity to lead the company’s international operations. Flexjet is making private jet travel between North America and the international domain more accessible than ever, and is introducing an unprecedented level of service quality into the market. I look forward to working with the superb team Kenn has assembled, internationally and in the U.S.”

Flexjet’s international operations under the direction of Jones will begin by:

  • Providing international travel solutions for U.S. shareowners: Increasingly, Flexjet’s North American Owners are using Flexjet’s growing fleet of long-range, large-cabin aircraft such as the Bombardier Global Express and Gulfstream G450 for transatlantic travel. Flexjet’s large-cabin aircraft will be augmented by the company’s European program of light-jet aircraft suited for regional point-to-point travel. The initial pan-European fleet of eight (8) aircraft will be based in London, Paris and two additional cities to be selected by year-end. The powerful pairing between long-range, large-cabin aircraft and light-cabin aircraft will allow North American owners to remain within the Flexjet family when traveling globally.
  • Creating unique travel solutions for international travelers: Continuing its heritage of tailored program solutions, Flexjet will offer premium on-demand and bespoke membership programs in Europe. These programs will target a per-mile cost comparable to turbo-prop and ultra-light jet European offerings. The highly efficient Nextant 400XTi has been selected as the model aircraft to achieve this mark. Access to a dedicated fleet of Nextant 400XTi aircraft is expected to be offered on a limited basis through select charter brokers.

In addition, Flexjet will offer tailored international programs that appeal to a segment of the market looking to exit whole-aircraft ownership as well as users of charter services looking to transition to a more personalized offering.

  • Handcrafted European fleet of Nextant 400XTi aircraft: The Nextant 400XTi outperforms all other light jets in nearly every category with a 2,003-nautical mile (3,710 km) range and a cruising speed of 460 nautical miles per hour (740 km per hour). It also has a seating configuration that allows for the most legroom of any light jet in production. The Nextant 400XTi also boasts significantly reduced carbon emissions compared to other light jets and noise compliance that exceeds Stage IV requirements to make it the perfect aircraft for Flexjet Owners with European travel needs.

Each handcrafted Flexjet Nextant 400XTi interior will feature a full refreshment center, fully enclosed aft lavatory, sofa and spacious club seating. Wi-Fi connectivity will ensure nonstop productivity.

“Flexjet’s expanded global operations will offer a broad level of flexibility, choice and service that we feel will resonate well in this sophisticated marketplace,” added Ricci. “Our approach will establish Flexjet as a true international operator, providing Flexjet Owners with point-to-point access throughout the world.”

Flexjet Doubles Firm Challenger 350 Order to 40 Aircraft
Also, Flexjet LLC announced at the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) that it has officially confirmed a firm order for 20 additional Challenger 350 super-midsized business jets by Bombardier Aerospace (BBD.B:CA). This is in addition to an order for 20 Challenger 350 Bombardier aircraft ordered in 2013. Flexjet said it increased its original order because of unprecedented success with the company’s new Red Label offering that includes the Challenger 350 aircraft.

“The Bombardier-built Challenger 350 aircraft has been featured in our highly popular Red Label offering. This has elevated the expectations of discerning travelers around the world and challenged the industry to do better,” said Michael Silvestro, Flexjet’s Chief Executive Officer. “Officially doubling our order will enable us to meet the increase in demand we are seeing from our Owners and provide a solid platform for future growth,” added Silvestro, who made the announcement at the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) on the heels of Flexjet announcing plans for an expanded European presence.

The order, originally included in a November 2015 memorandum of understanding between Flexjet and Bombardier, will result in 43 Challenger 300/350 series aircraft flying in the Flexjet fleet by the end of 2016. An additional four Challenger 350 aircraft will follow in 2017, with the remainder delivered over the next five years.

“The Challenger 350 business jet is the benchmark for dependability, performance and cabin comfort, offering a travel experience that is unrivalled by any other aircraft in its class,” said David M. Coleal, President, Bombardier Business Aircraft. “Flexjet has been a valued Bombardier customer for many years, and we’re thrilled that the incomparable Challenger 350 aircraft is part of their growth and continuing success.”

Considered one of the world’s most mission-versatile business jets, the Challenger 350 aircraft can carry up to eight passengers in Flexjet’s smart interior configuration, has a maximum operating altitude of 45,000 feet, a top cruising speed of 528 MPH and a transcontinental range of 3,200 nautical miles. Its extraordinarily quiet cabin allows passengers to converse at comfortable levels or relax in peace.

The Challenger 350 aircraft is the successor to Bombardier’s venerable Challenger 300 business jet, which has served in Flexjet’s fleet since the company’s founding two decades ago. Since accepting their first Challenger 300 aircraft, Flexjet Owners have logged nearly 97 million miles in the beloved aircraft. Flexjet flies the largest combined fleet of Challenger 300 and 350s of any operator in its space, nearly 40% more than others. The Challenger 300 was so popular that Bombardier relied on Flexjet’s extensive operating data and user experience information for the plane to design many of the advances available on the Challenger 350 business jet.

The Challenger 350 business jet is the perfect aircraft for Flexjet’s Red Label offering, which bridges the gap between traditional shared ownership programs and whole-aircraft ownership, providing Owners with the feeling that they are flying on their own plane.

Red Label offers access to the world’s newest shared jet fleet, flight crews dedicated to a single aircraft and exclusive artisan interiors that are the most distinctive ever offered to travelers by a shared provider. As part of Red Label, Flexjet offers three exclusive artisan interiors on the Challenger 350 aircraft, a feature that sets it apart from any other operator of the aircraft. These unique interiors are matched with additional elements of the Red Label offering, including flight crews dedicated to a single aircraft and access to the world’s newest shared jet fleet, providing a premium level of comfort and customization.

“Bombardier-built Challenger aircraft have been the backbone of the Flexjet fleet since our founding in 1995, and no other shared provider in the world has been flying them as long as we have. This order confirms that Challenger aircraft will continue to be a vital aircraft of our fleet going forward,” said Silvestro.

Co-Founder & Chief Editor - TravelDailyNews Media Network | Website | + Posts

Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.

She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.

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