Fair Wind Air Charter Phases Out Citation Sovereign
Fair Wind Air Charter has recently completed a significant fleet update by phasing out the sole Citation Sovereign from its Part 135-certified fleet, marking an important shift in its operational strategy. The aircraft, registered as N63JK and carrying manufacturer serial number 680-0290, is a 13.2-year-old jet configured to accommodate up to nine passengers. It had been operated by the charter company since early 2022 and was previously based at Miami Opa-Locka. The Citation Sovereign was last active on February 18 when it conducted a roundtrip flight between Orlando International and Greenville/Spartanburg Donaldson. Shortly after this final flight, on February 26, its United States registration was cancelled, and within two days it was re-registered in Australia as VH-YUL.
This change of registration marks the beginning of a new chapter for the aircraft, which is now serving as a corporate jet for Yulgilbar, a cattle breeding company that has integrated the jet into its corporate fleet. The journey to its new role saw the aircraft flying from Orlando International to Melbourne Essendon, with strategic stops at Oakland International, Honolulu, and Gold Coast Coolangatta. The integration of this former charter aircraft into Yulgilbar’s operations not only highlights Fair Wind Air Charter’s evolving fleet strategy but also underscores the fluid nature of aircraft ownership and deployment in the business aviation sector.
In addition to this transition, the Citation Sovereign joins another Citation-family aircraft already serving Yulgilbar—a 24-year-old Citation Encore registered as VH-YUI (msn 560-0553). This move is part of a broader trend within Fair Wind Air Charter’s recent history. The company had previously operated a Citation Sovereign+ between 2021 and 2022, and the retirement of the current Citation Sovereign signals a deliberate step towards optimizing the fleet mix for better operational efficiency and customer service. With the retirement of the Citation Sovereign, Fair Wind Air Charter now maintains a diversified Part 135 fleet that includes two other Citation-series aircraft—a Citation Jet 3 and a Citation Ultra—which complement its robust lineup of Challenger jets and Global aircraft.
The updated fleet now features a Challenger 300, two Challenger 350s, a Challenger 605, and a Challenger 650, ensuring that the operator can offer a range of cabin sizes and performance capabilities to meet varying customer demands. The company has also bolstered its long-range offerings with two Global 5000s and a recently added Global 6500, along with a GIV, further enhancing its capacity for international and transcontinental charter operations. Moreover, the recent phase-out of its last Learjet 60XR underscores Fair Wind Air Charter’s commitment to keeping its fleet modern and efficient.
This strategic fleet realignment not only improves operational flexibility but also reinforces the company’s position in the competitive charter market. By streamlining its fleet to focus on a select group of high-performance aircraft, Fair Wind Air Charter is better positioned to provide reliable, cost-effective, and high-quality service to its clientele. The decision to transition the Citation Sovereign into corporate service for Yulgilbar reflects a broader industry trend where older aircraft are repurposed to meet the evolving needs of different market segments, ensuring that valuable assets continue to generate returns even after their time in charter operations. The latest developments at Fair Wind Air Charter illustrate how proactive fleet management and strategic repositioning can help an operator adapt to changing market conditions while continuing to deliver exceptional service.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com