Flexjet to almost double its European fleet in 2022
Following a 180% annual uplift in flight activity in Europe in the first four months of 2022, premium private jet provider Flexjet is set to almost double its European fleet in the coming months.
It is adding three more super-midsize Praetor 600s to its European fleet before the end of May and is set to operate a Gulfstream G650 in Europe from July, mirroring the success of its G650 programme in the United States. The operator says two of the ultra-long-range jets will be based in Europe by the end of the year.
Flexjet says it has made significant investments in its European crew and infrastructure over the past six months to prepare for the fleet increase, opening a new state-of-the-art Tactical Control Centre and office space at Farnborough Airport in April to form the operational heart of its European operation.
The new centre has replaced the operator’s UK facility in Hertfordshire and adds to Flexjet’s second European operational centre in Malta and its sales centre in London’s Mayfair.
The company has also launched a hiring campaign for pilots, adding 33 more to its European crew.
Flexjet European Managing Director, Marine Eugène, said: “We are delighted to confirm these significant investments, which are fuelling our continued expansion in Europe. Demand for our services continues to be exceptionally strong, with our fleet already seeing a 180% annual uplift in activity so far this year. New programme sales and forward bookings are also very robust, so we are well-prepared for a busy summer and second half of the year.
“The opening of our new facility at Farnborough Airport, which includes our state-of-the-art Tactical Control Centre, represents a very significant investment in infrastructure and perfectly places our team on the site of one of Europe’s most impressive business aviation airports, as we continue our ambitious plans to build Flexjet in Europe over the coming years.
“With Farnborough being such a key London gateway, we are also excited by the potential to broaden our offering here, including providing seamless central London connections via our group-operated helicopter fleet.”
Flexjet has worked closely with the Embraer Services & Support aftermarket team this year to retrofit Ka-band Wi-Fi on its Legacy 500s, making it the only large fleet operator in Europe to offer the ultra-fast Wi-Fi connectivity on all its aircraft.
Michael Amalfitano, President & CEO of Embraer Executive Jets, said: “Flexjet is one of our most important global customers and we are delighted that our technologically advanced Praetor 600 is proving key to their European market success. This is a long-standing, mutually rewarding, evolving partnership for us, and we look forward to finding new ways to support Flexjet’s growth and continue to offer their customers the ultimate experience in business aviation.”