Albinati Aeronautics Prioritizes Swiss Quality, Acquires First Dassault Falcon 6X

Albinati Aeronautics (LUC, Geneva) is establishing itself as a premier boutique aircraft management company, renowned for delivering “Swiss quality” across Europe. Sales chief Rolf Kuijper emphasized this during an interview with ch-aviation at the EBACE conference in Geneva.

“As a medium-sized management company, we remain agile and prioritize understanding our clients to tailor services uniquely for them. Our clients appreciate the personalized connection with a customer service team that knows them well, a level of familiarity not possible with larger fleet operators,” Kuijper explained.

Focused on aircraft management and charters, Albinati Aeronautics emphasizes safety and quality without compromising its high standards. “We aim to stay competitive without lowering our standards. We seek customers who value this commitment,” said Kuijper.

Transparency in pricing is another cornerstone of Albinati Aeronautics’ philosophy. Kuijper noted that the management fee covers an unlimited number of flights and full CAMO and maintenance supervision, ensuring no hidden costs. To remain unbiased, the company does not have in-house maintenance. “We are independent from any maintenance provider, ensuring our customers receive the best advice on where to go for their specific needs, making the process simple and transparent,” he added.

Fleet Strategy

Currently, Albinati Aeronautics operates three aircraft under its Swiss AOC: one Challenger 604, one Falcon 8X, and one PC-12/47E. The company plans to receive its first Citation M2 in late 2024, having retired its only Global 5500 on July 8. Additionally, the company holds a Maltese AOC, Albinati Aviation (ULC, Malta International), with a fleet including one Citation Latitude, three Falcon 7Xs, one Global 5000, three Global 6000s, and one PC-24.

In late June, Albinati Aeronautics added its first Dassault Falcon 6X, 9H-DINA, and inducted it into service on the Maltese AOC on July 1, making it the world’s first commercially available unit of this type. Besides the aircraft on its AOCs, the company manages and oversees the CAMO supervision of additional aircraft, including a Falcon 7X, a Challenger 3500, a Global 6000, and two Global 7500s.

While the majority of its fleet operates under the Maltese AOC, Kuijper confirmed that the Swiss AOC would remain vital for clients needing Swiss-registered aircraft.

Long-Term Partnerships

Albinati Aeronautics prioritizes long-term customer relationships, catering to both large, long-range aircraft and smaller ones. “Managing smaller aircraft can be more demanding than larger ones. Though it may not always be profitable, offering this service allows us to access specific markets and tailor services to diverse needs,” Kuijper noted.

Charter Business

Though Albinati Aeronautics does not own its aircraft, it encourages owners to make their aircraft available for charter, potentially waiving the management fee for high availability. Kuijper acknowledged that the charter market, particularly for long-range aircraft, has seen a decline since the peak demand during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The long-range charter business now requires combining two clients for one-way pricing across continents,” Kuijper explained. Overcapacity from large charter-focused operators and pressure on charter yields have also impacted the market. “We’ve had to reduce charter margins and sometimes turn down flights due to the significant cash flow involved in charter operations,” he added.

Despite these challenges, Albinati Aeronautics remains committed to its high-quality standards and personalized service, ensuring it continues to attract discerning clients who value Swiss quality and transparency.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com