Jet Aviation buys ExecuJet’s Zurich FBO and Luxaviation’s swiss aircraft division
Jet Aviation recently announced that it has acquired ExecuJet’s Zurich FBO and Hangar Operations and Luxaviation’s swiss aircraft management and charter Division. With this acquisition the company adds a second FBO terminal, two private ramps and two hangars to its Zurich footprint and 17 aircraft to its European fleet. Located opposite Jet Aviation’s FBO at Zurich Airport, the ExecuJet Zurich FBO includes one near-5,000 square-meter hangar and one 2,500 square-meter hangar; two private ramps at 4,620 and 5,760 square meters; a vehicle parking area; and a multifunctional, state of-the-art terminal for passengers and crews. Stefan Benz, Jet Aviation’s SVP of regional operations in EMEA, said, “Acquisition of the ExecuJet FBO in Zurich enables us to offer a more comprehensive range of services — including hangar space for short- and long-term private parking. For our charter customers, Luxaviation’s Swiss aircraft management and charter business significantly expands our fleet in Europe.”
Vulcan Aviation launched at Farnborough
Three business aviation veterans, each with more than 30 years of experience in the industry, created Vulcan Aviation: Trevor Esling, until recently regional senior vice president of sales for Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, is launching Vulcan Aviation with Roger Whyte, one of the industry’s most distinguished executives and former senior vice president of worldwide sales and marketing at Cessna Aircraft Company, and Barry Johnson, CEO of Executive Jet Charter and a highly successful aircraft management entrepreneur.
From its headquarters at Farnborough Airport, Vulcan Aviation will support a select international client group at every stage of the aircraft ownership journey, from acquisitions and sales to management, operations and maintenance. In addition to the U.S., Vulcan will focus on potential customers in Europe, the Middle East, and South America. While Vulcan will focus on traditional business aircraft, Esling said the company could eventually broaden its reach to include helicopters and eVTOLs. www.farnboroughairport.com
JSSI acquires maintenance tracking software company SierraTrax
Jet Support Services, Inc. (JSSI), the leading independent provider of maintenance support and financial services to the business aviation industry, recently announced the acquisition of SierraTrax, a leader in aircraft maintenance tracking. SierraTrax provides maintenance tracking software for business aircraft worldwide through its modern technology interface. As a Textron Aviation recommended provider of maintenance tracking services, the SierraTrax platform is used extensively by Cessna, Beechcraft and Hawker operators. The company supports most turboprop, light and midsize aircraft, but will now focus on extending the service into the super-mid and large-cabin segments, to align with JSSI’s coverage of virtually every make and model of business jet, turboprop and helicopter.
“The SierraTrax team has done an incredible job establishing a leadership position in a crowded maintenance tracking space in just five short years,” said Neil Book, chairman and CEO of JSSI. JSSI supports more than 10% of the world’s business jets on its Hourly Cost Maintenance Programs and oversees more than 10,000 maintenance events per year. This strategic move into the maintenance tracking space will blend insight from SierraTrax with more than 30 years of JSSI operating cost data and complement the company’s existing portfolio, which also includes JSSI Advisory Services and Conklin & de Decker.
People: EBAA honors life, legacy and dedication of co-founder François Chavatte
François Chavatte dedicated his life towards advancing the European Business aviation industry. Following his decades-long service to the European Business aviation industry, he was elected as the first Honorary Member of EBAA. Together with Frits Philips, Chavatte co-founded the EBAA in 1977, to later serve as its President and Chairman of the Board. EBAA Chairman Juergen Wiese said: “With the passing of François, we lost one of the two founding fathers of the united European Business aviation industry. I am thankful for learning from his experience, his unwavering support of EBAA and as chairman, I remain dedicated to continuing his legacy”. Adding to this, EBAA Secretary-General Athar Husain Khan said: “The industry would not be where it is today without his drive, amicability and dreams. Mr Chavatte always kept a keen interest in EBAA and its members, and we remember him with profound respect”.
In 1952, Chavatte started his aviation career in the French air force as a reconnaissance and fighter pilot and continued in Business aviation with IBM where he headed its corporate flight department. During this time, Chavatte paved the way for European Business aviation by leading a visionary flight department that performed many first-of-its-kind innovations. Shortly after joining IBM, Chavatte co-piloted an Aero Commander 680 twin-engine piston aircraft from the United States to France. The March 1960 trip with U.S.-based pilot Charles McKinnon marked the first transatlantic business aviation flight to land at Paris-Le Bourget Airport and the first business aircraft to be based at what is today one of Europe’s busiest business aviation facilities.