Ventura Air Services Plans Fleet Expansion Amid Strong Demand
Ventura Air Services (VNT) aims to expand its fleet to around 30 aircraft over the next two to three years, with plans to acquire approximately fifteen Citation Excels and fifteen Challenger 604/605s. President Sam Wolf shared these details during an exclusive interview at the NBAA-BACE convention in Las Vegas.
Wolf highlighted that both aircraft types are among the most popular in the charter market, known for their reliability and support. The focus on these models allows Ventura to maintain operational efficiency and a deep pool of pilots, which is crucial for managing maintenance and parts inventory effectively.
Currently, the airline operates six Citation Excels and six Challenger 604s, along with one Challenger 605. While they are primarily focused on these aircraft families, Ventura remains open to other variants, including Citation XLS and the upcoming Ascend.
Ventura’s fleet strategy revolves around aircraft management, where the majority of its planes are owned by third parties. Instead of traditional management, the airline leases the aircraft from owners, enabling better operational oversight and alignment of interests. This model allows Ventura to cover all maintenance and crew costs while minimizing overhead and maximizing charter revenues.
With a target of chartering each aircraft for 700-800 hours annually, Ventura guarantees owners 75 hours per year at discounted rates. Their maintenance strategy emphasizes reliability, with a focus on proactive forecasting and deep parts inventory, which has helped them navigate supply chain challenges effectively.
Despite increasing price competition in the charter market, Wolf noted that Ventura has not seen a drop in demand. The airline has developed strong relationships with wholesale partners and continues to grow its retail business, ensuring a stable demand for its services.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com