“Hahnair is delighted to partner with Nico Hülkenberg, an exceptional athlete who embodies speed, commitment to success, and the skills to master powerful technology,” said Daniel Rudas, general manager and chief operating officer of Hahnair. “Hahnair ensures that airlines achieve accelerated success in the highly competitive airline distribution market, mirroring the relentless drive and cutting-edge performance seen in Formula 1.”

Hülkenberg will also travel to his races with Hahnair.  He drives for the Haas F1 Team in Formula One, has won the GP2 Series Championship in 2009 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2015. He is also a previous champion of both the Formula 3 Euro Series and A1 Grand Prix, as part of A1 Team Germany.

Hülkenberg added: “Traveling with Hahnair, I can count on their first-class connoisseur service as well as reliably arriving at my races in time.” 

The post Hahnair sponsors Formula One driver Nico Hülkenberg appeared first on Corporate Jet Investor.

The news comes after Clay Lacy became one of the first authorised dealers and installers for the satellite-based internet solution back in May. Starlink enables inflight 4K video calls, streaming, online gaming and virtual private networks. With over 4,700 satellites in orbit, the Starlink constellation covers land, oceans and polar regions providing global coverage.

The first installations have averaged three weeks and were carried out by maintenance technicians at Clay Lacy’s Waterbury-Oxford Airport (KOXC) and Van Nuys Airport (KVNY) FAA Part 145 Repair Stations. The installations were completed on three Gulfstream G550s, a G650ER and a Bombardier Global 6000.

 “There has been high demand for this transformative, connectivity technology,” said Edward Diaz, avionics operations and sales manager for Clay Lacy Aviation. “Our team is moving quickly to provide low-downtime, expertly completed installations so that owners and operators can get the most out of their aircraft. Starlink will enhance operations for crew members, as well as provide a better flight experience for travellers.”

Clay Lacy Aviation also performs supplemental type certificate (STC) installs on the Gulfstream G450 and GV and the Bombardier Global 6500/7500, Express and XRS. Additional models are expected throughout the year including the Challenger 300/350, Global 5000, Gulfstream GIV, Embraer Legacy 600/650, Praetor and Phenom 300, among many others.

The post Clay Lacy completes first five Starlink installations appeared first on Corporate Jet Investor.

This strategic acquisition for FlyHouse comes as it prepares to launch its app for customers. By utilising advanced technology, FlyHouse plans to enhance “the overall customer journey” and “simplify” the booking process. The firm says it has a “strong commitment” to offering transparent pricing, real-time availability and streamlined booking procedures.

Jack E. Lambert Jr., CEO of FlyHouse, said: “Acquiring JetASAP is a monumental step forward for FlyHouse. This integration not only enhances our service offerings but also aligns perfectly with our mission to transform the aviation industry. We are dedicated to leveraging JetASAP’s technology and expertise to deliver an exceptional experience for our customers and stakeholders. 

“This acquisition is a game-changer, and we are eager to integrate their platform with our upcoming app, setting new standards in private jet travel. Our goal is to make private jet travel more accessible, transparent, and efficient for our customers.”

Lisa Kiefer Sayer, founder and CEO of JetASAP, has now joined FlyHouse’s leadership team. 

“I can’t wait to jump in and get started,” said Kiefer Sayer. “In the coming weeks and months, I’ll be working closely with the team to scale both the FlyHouse app and JetASAP, building on our solid foundations. Together, we will be stronger and move even faster to reimagine the future of aviation.”

The post FlyHouse acquires charter booking platform JetASAP appeared first on Corporate Jet Investor.

With this certification in hand, Comlux Malta is able to provide line maintenance services for EASA-registered Airbus A320 and A220 aircraft at its facilities in Malta and Dubai.

To further enhance the approval, the upcoming efforts will be directed to expand the certification by Bombardier and Boeing aircraft.

Lorenzo Pagnan, general manager at Comlux Malta said: “Securing the EASA PART-145 certification is a significant achievement for Comlux Malta, complementing our existing air operator certificate and continuing airworthiness management organization (CAMO) certifications. This underscores our commitment to excellence and growth. We are excited about the opportunities ahead as we continue to enhance our expertise in maintenance services.”

The post Comlux attains EASA Part-145 certification in Malta appeared first on Corporate Jet Investor.

The agreement enhances the firm’s regional group charter services. Icarus specialises in organising charters for large groups of 30-300 passengers for corporate events, sports teams, musicians on tour and C-suites.

“Our new partnership with RVR Aviation and the addition of the ERJ135 to the brokerage fleet marks a significant milestone for Icarus Jet, allowing us to better serve our clients with more options and enhanced flexibility for their travel needs,” said Kevin Singh, president of Icarus Jet.

Opting for large jet charters offers significant cost savings, according to Singh. For example, a one-way flight from Dallas to Cancun costs around $160,000 for two heavy jets, whereas a group charter on the ERJ135 is approximately $65,000. Similarly, the cost per passenger from Dallas to Cabo San Lucas drops from $6,400 to $2,600.

“We are committed to offering the highest safety, comfort, and efficiency standards in our group charter services. With the ERJ135, we can provide a cost-effective solution for large groups without compromising on the luxury and convenience our clients expect,” adds Singh.

Icarus Jet also offers aircraft like the CRJ 1000 and A319 for larger groups, accommodating up to 100 passengers or more. The firm serves over 200 locations across North America, including Mexico. It also offers large aircraft options in Egypt and various other international regions.

“We are thrilled to expand our brokerage services by offering the ERJ135 as an option for regional group charters; this development opens new possibilities for Icarus Jet and our clients, enabling us to meet the growing demand for regional group charters with unmatched service quality.”

The post Icarus Jet boosts regional charter offering with RVR Aviation partnership appeared first on Corporate Jet Investor.

The agency says services appear to operate like scheduled airlines but under “less-rigorous safety regulations – a fact that oftentimes is not transparent to the flying public”. The FAA will formally explore new ways to integrate charter flights into the airspace in a safe manner that maintains flexibility for users. 

FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said: “Part of the safety mission of the FAA is identifying risk early on, and that’s exactly what we’re doing on public charters as usage expands. If a company is effectively operating as a scheduled airline, the FAA needs to determine whether those operations should follow the same stringent rules as scheduled airlines.” 

The FAA first made its plans public with a request for input in August 2023 from which it received and evaluated approximately 60,000 comments. It wants to amend part 110 definitions of “scheduled”, “on demand” and “supplemental” operations. If finalised, public charters will be subject to operating rules based on the same safety parameters as other non-public charter operations.   

“At the same time, we want to look at how future innovation might cause us to think differently,” Whitaker added. “Safe air travel options should be available to everyone, not limited to only those living near a major airport. We want to put a safety lens over the options of future innovation, as we work to further connect small and rural communities to open up more options for everyone at the same high level of safety.” 

The FAA intends to issue the notice of proposed rulemaking as quickly as possible . As part of any proposed rule, the agency would seek comment on an effective date that would allow for industry to adapt to any change in the regulatory environment.

Maintaining focus on expanding air services to small and rural communities, the FAA will look to  align aircraft size and certification standards with operational needs for such communities. The agency will convene a safety risk management panel (SRMP) to assess “the feasibility of a new operating authority for scheduled part 135 operations in 10-30 seat aircraft”.

The FAA’s public charter work is being done in coordination with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). While the FAA focuses on the safety of the flying public, TSA focuses on the security of transportation systems. 

The TSA has been reviewing the security requirements of certain operators under the Twelve-Five Standard Security Program (TFSSP), which includes a proposal for the screening of passengers and their accessible property on public charter flights along with other requirements for all TFSSP operators. In accordance with 49 CFR 1544, TSA provided a 45-day comment period for the impacted operators that ends on June 27. TSA will adjudicate any comments received from industry and continue to work closely with the impacted operators.

The post FAA to improve safety of public charter flights appeared first on Corporate Jet Investor.

Each time a jet card customer requests a trip, it is now cross-referenced with thousands of empty legs from hundreds of operators to find simulated alternatives. The new trip may then be offered to the customer for a substantially lower cost than their fixed hourly jet card rate.

Founder and executive chair Mike Winston said: “Jet Card customers can now take advantage of AI to score a Reroute and save money. Empty legs rarely align with customer needs but reroutes often do. A reroute is a slight tweak to the flight plan of an empty leg that is booked at a price in between an empty leg and a new charter. 

“Our Reroute AI software firstly identifies opportunities, secondly suggests a price to the operator, and lastly allows for a smooth rerouted booking.”

The post Jet.AI reveals AI-powered empty leg tool appeared first on Corporate Jet Investor.

Revealing the penalty, Matthew S. Axelrod, from the department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) said: “We will not permit Russian oligarchs – or any Russian national, for that matter – to charter luxury jets into Russia.” 

The assistant secretary for export enforcement added: “It doesn’t matter if a Russian national uses another passport, like from Cyprus as was the case here. Let this serve as a lesson to charter brokers and operators worldwide: if you facilitate such travel in violation of our regulations, you may pay a steep price.”  

Based in Ankara, Turkey, Sapphire operated two private charter flights carrying Russian nationals in a Gulfstream IV jet without a mandatory BIS licence. According to the settlement, Sapphire used the aircraft in October 2023 to fly two Russian nationals from Istanbul to Tyumen, in the Siberia n region of Russia. In January 2024, the company used the same jet to fly one dual national of Russia and Cyprus from the Maldives to Moscow.

BIS also handed Sapphire a two-year suspension of its US export privileges. These will be restored provided the company satisfies the terms of its settlement with the department and pays the civil penalty by August 29th 2025.

In addition to businesss jet charters, Sapphire also offers air ambulance and helicopter services.

CJI has asked Sapphire for a response to its agreement with the Department of Commerce.

The Vedder Price view

 Here, David M. Hernandez, shareholder, Vedder Price explains the significance of this enforcement action.

CJI: What message does this send to the global aviation industry?

David Hernandez (DH): The message of the recent enforcement action is that there are serious penalties for violating US sanctions related to flights to Russia. However, such illegal flights are very common, and many operators simply ignore or are unaware of U.S. sanctions. 

Enforcement is the exception, rather than the norm. The US government likely does not have the resources to catch everyone. I will stress that sanction enforcement has been increasing precipitously with greater detection, assistance from service providers, manufacturers, and the public. I have been receiving a constant flow of calls from potential clients seeking assistance with manufacturer denial of services or from parties involved in a transaction in which the aircraft has been operated to Russia in violation of the US sanctions. 

It is also important to note that US escrow agents are asking if aircraft have been operated in Russia because escrow agents have no desire to deal with a sanctioned Aircraft.

CJI: Do you expect similar cases to follow? 

DH: Absolutely, the US is significantly increasing its efforts and resources to identify and prosecute sanctions evaders. 

CJI: If so, why?

DH: The enforcement actions will continue because of greed. The money is significant and desperate operators will do risky things for money. People don’t think they will get caught until they are caught, and then it’s too late. 

The post Turkish charter firm fined $285k by US govnt for flights to Russia appeared first on Corporate Jet Investor.

The problem, he says, is “boutique” is bandied around too often, but in his case he really means it.

“Everyone says boutique, but you cannot be boutique when you have 25 or 30 planes, because the management are lost in board meetings and travelling all the time,” he says.

Instead, Belgian Laitat, who was previously the CEO and accountable manager of Abelag/Luxaviation Belgium, intends to cap his fleet at 15.

“My goal is not fleet size,” he says. “Of course, we will be profitable. It’s not a goal to lose money. But my biggest pride is that at Abelag very few owners left. Some of them, I was operating their fourth successive plane. So if you have that as a passion, you can make a living quite decently.”

Fulfil promises

JetHouse, which is registered in Malta, launched with a Dassault Falcon 7X in Brussels in early 2024 and Laitat plans to add another aircraft “every six to nine months”.

“I have good confidence that they will come,” says Laitat, who oversaw a fleet of 25 aircraft at Abelag. The 15 is “not a magic number”, he adds, but about the level where he and his senior team of eight, with about 175 years’ collective experience in the business, can provide a “boutique” service. Alongside Laitat as founders are Nicolas Willemot, the CFO, and Tina Boeckx, director of flight operations, both also formerly of Abelag.

“It becomes difficult to fulfil promises because it’s always the founder or the CFO, who at some point met an owner and said, ‘OK, we’re going to pamper you’. But when it’s too big, the person feels you don’t follow them in the same way. So it’s really a matter of time that is driving this number in the fleet.

“We don’t like to disappoint. Of course, sometimes, even the bad weather is your fault but having a client who sends you a handwritten note saying, ‘I’m so happy to have joined you’. It’s what we have in our blood.”

Passion for service

JetHouse’s natural market is Europe, the Middle East and “why not some French-speaking countries in Africa” but Laitat is not planning to expand for the sake of it.

“If someone was really begging to operate now out of Bermuda, I’m not sure I’m the right person,” he says.

Laitat was at Abelag for nearly 20 years, including for the acquisition by Luxaviation in 2013 and the purchase of ExecuJet in 2015, but left in 2021 with Willemot following closely behind.

“Let’s say that it became so big,” he says. “It’s not a criticism, it’s just a fact, it suits you or not.”

He quickly took up running AllianceJet in Malta, but the tide was pushing him towards setting up on his own and in May last year he took the plunge. Knowing he needed his team in place before he could meet with Transport Malta to apply for the AOC, he began ringing around trusted former colleagues and a number left jobs to join him. Laitat also partnered with Fiona Healy, MD, FCF Assets who “delivered impeccable guidance on all the steps needed to expedite the AOC”. The licence was signed off in seven months in February 2024.

“I wanted to have something with an amazing team, and be able to do something without any obstacles, with this passion for service,” he says. 

“The beauty of starting from scratch is we had the possibility to use these new technologies that have flourished in recent years that are all integrated. It is efficient and helps everyone.”

Freedom

A lack of transparency is one of Laitat’s bugbears in the industry and he is determined to operate differently at JetHouse.

“The way to keep the loyalty of clients is to always be able to look at yourself in the mirror,” he says. “It’s a small world and in the end, the cost of changing an owner or having plus three aircraft one year, but minus four the next, it’s not efficient.

“Of course, there are very few clients and it’s a tough business. Sometimes just to reach for a coffee with an owner, it’s the work of nine or 12 months.”

Building trust with a client leads to a “fantastic adventure for a long time”, he adds.

Laitat admits that being an entrepreneur doesn’t always come naturally but he is relishing a new adventure with JetHouse. 

“Some people are born entrepreneurs, some have to be entrepreneurs by the events of life, you know? But it’s quite fantastic to have this freedom,” he says.

The post Laitat redefines ’boutique’ with JetHouse venture appeared first on Corporate Jet Investor.

As a broker today, like our colleagues, we have more inventory to work with, and that alone should make hopping off the fence and into a transaction feel more comfortable for a buyer. We are long past the days of only 1-2% of manufactured aircraft for sale at any given time. Still trying to reach what used to be a benchmark for health of 10%, but in most categories, we are solidly at 5-7%. That brings terrific choice to the buyer community. Along with choice comes the opportunity for negotiation, the opportunity to provide real due diligence to the transaction, and the opportunity to have a calmer less frenzied transaction.

This all sounds wonderful as we look ahead to a successful year. However, as calm and balanced as we find ourselves, if one were to think what we do to complete a transaction is simple, then they are probably not really getting past the activity phase of the transaction. In any given transaction, there are a myriad of players. Each side has a team and melding them together to have one success story is not always easy. Some players have their own agendas, some have less experience in the process, and others have ideas for creating paths to success that cannot always be articulated to all involved.

So how do we get from what could be one of our most successful first halves of a year to celebrating in December after one of our best years? The answer is don’t take your eyes off the ball. Don’t sit back and just think everyone will play correctly together. Don’t dare just assume all will end up like it started.

We still must remember the customer first. They may still be nervous about entering the fray. They may be thinking about the national election, the geopolitical environment, or interest rates. We must not try to simplify what are real and complicated thoughts, but rather help put them into perspective and see the changed landscape we are operating in today with more choice and negotiation. Helping them focus on the benefits of operating their own aircraft. As I always say, the chance to get out ahead of your competition and be in front of your customer is invaluable. The joy of taking your kids, grandkids, and pets around the world to make memories is impossible to place a value on.

So not only do we, as industry professionals, have reason to count the ways, but we also can uncomplicate the complicated. So, join us in the transaction arena and let’s all work together to help our prospects turn that first phone call into a transaction.

The post Counting the ways: But it is complicated appeared first on Corporate Jet Investor.