Chad is the editor of AINalerts, AIN's daily business aviation newsletter, and is also the news editor at AIN Media Group.&nbsp;He has been writing about aviation, with an emphasis on business aviation, since 1994. Chad started his writing career at The Avion,&nbsp;the&nbsp;student newspaper at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, serving as editor-in-chief before graduating with a bachelor's in aeronautical science. After a stint as managing editor at Professional Pilot&nbsp;magazine, he joined&nbsp;AIN in late 1998. Chad holds a commercial pilot certificated with instrument and multi-engine ratings, and he also is a CFI/CFII. He lives and works from his home in Venice, Florida.

Online Editor

Chad Trautvetter

Since its unveiling last year at EBACE, Flexjet Ltd., the UK sister company of U.S.-based Flexjet, acquired FlairJet in August and then started operations under Flairjet’s UK CAA air operator certificate, managing five business aircraft. More recently, in March, Flexjet Ltd. took delivery of its first dedicated fleet aircraft—a Nextant 400XTi—and now has three of the remanufactured light jets, with plans for up to 10 by this time next year.


The remanufactured Nextant light jets were chosen for their 2,003-nm, intra-European range and comfortable cabins, the company said. They each have a complete refreshment center, fully enclosed aft lavatory, a three-place divan and Wi-Fi connectivity.


The European arm of Flexjet's dedicated fleet will be made available to U.S.-based Flexjet owners who need point-to-point private jet travel within the region or to the Middle East or Africa. CEO Ray Jones said that Flexjet Ltd. will continue to provide aircraft charter and management services alongside flight services for North America-based Flexjet customers.


Eventually, the company plans to offer tailored international programs to European-based business aircraft owners looking to exit whole-aircraft ownership, as well as users of charter services looking for a more personalized service. More offerings could also be added later on as additional models enter its European fleet.


For now, the European sister company’s dedicated fleet serves Flexjet’s North American customers. As an example of how this works, a U.S. Flexjet fractional share owner uses Flexjet’s Global Access program to fly into Europe and then fly on one of Flexjet Ltd.’s 400XTis for intra-Europe travel. Global Access provides access to Flexjet’s long-range, large-cabin aircraft—currently three Bombardier Global Expresses and six Gulfstream G450s—for transatlantic travel, billed at hourly rates that decrease the longer the distance flown. The Gulfstream G650 and G500 are expected to join the Global Access fleet by year-end.


“This is just the starting point for Flexjet in Europe. We will have more, larger aircraft based in the region at some point,” Silvestro said last year at EBACE. “We see a lot of opportunity in Europe, so we expect our operations to quickly grow here.”


Both Flexjet and Nextant Aerospace are part of the Directional Aviation group.

News and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

Flexjet’s UK Division Gears Up for Growth

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News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

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