PremiAir Expands into Fixed Wing Business Aircraft

PremiAir, one of the UK’s leading helicopter charter operators, is expanding its aircraft management capabilities with a move into fixed wing business aircraft.

 The development builds on a successful 30 years’ operating, maintaining and managing twin-engined executive helicopters for third party corporates and high net worth individuals. PremiAir’s fixed wing AOC (Aircraft Operator’s Certificate) was recently granted by the UK Civil Aviation Authority and its first managed aircraft, a Hawker Beechcraft Premier 1 owned by the von Essen Group, is proving to be popular for European charter flights.

“We are at the right stage in our development to broaden our offering and expertise and build on the very strong client base we have,” said PremiAir Group Managing Director David McRobert. “This move is in response to clients asking us about managing their business aircraft, coupled with the fact that the market is starting to pick up after a tough six months. Furthermore, we have an ideal individual in our team with considerable fixed wing experience to lead this initiative.”

Neil Gibson joined PremiAir at the end of 2009 as Head of Charter and Management. Former managing director of TAG Aviation UK he was most recently CEO of TAG Aviation Asia, based in Hong Kong. Gibson has already identified some key prospects. PremiAir’s Premier 1 is now based at London Oxford Airport.

The Beechcraft Premier I and IA, built in Wichita, Kansas, are world renowned light business jets. Featuring a composite fuselage and swept wing design the aircraft delivers an impressive performance with a maximum cruise speed of 520 mph (450kts) and a maximum range of 1,460 nm. The Premier 1 is being maintained by PremiAir Engineering, specialist in fixed wing maintenance on the Beechcraft family, including the King Air series. Since 2009 it has also been providing maintenance on the Hawker 800 Series supplying line support to operators at Oxford Airport.

This move into fixed wing operations development comes at an exciting time for PremiAir which, together with sister company, the von Essen group, is preparing to open the all new London Heliport at Battersea imminently.

PremiAir Global, the company’s sales and brokerage arm based at Farnborough Airport, regularly advises clients about which aircraft types to lease or buy. It currently has a portfolio of 30 aircraft – fixed wing and helicopters. “Now we are adding a fixed wing aircraft management service under the PremiAir brand we can offer a full turnkey package,” added McRobert.

See other recent news regarding: Airlines, Airports, Flights, Codeshare, Lounges, First Class, Business Class, MICE, GDS, Rewards, Miles, Hotels, Apartments, Promotions, Spas, New Hotels, Traffic, Visitor Arrivals, Cruises, Free Deals, Videos, PremiAir, Oxford