Private aviation and executive transport company Avolus reports encouraging upward private aviation business trends, with their European clients spending more on bigger jets. But it says they are no longer prepared to make longer term commitments to one operator or programme.

"Avolus have seen a 25 per cent increase year-on-year with charter requests and have taken market share from clients moving away from jet ownership options to ad hoc charter," according to Justine Angelli, Avolus group president.

The announcement comes as Eurojet, which was founded in 2004 and became part of the Avolus Group in 2009, brings a 2007 Citation XLS into service.

Milestone

"The event was a milestone for Eurojet which hosted a vip event at the private terminal of Bucharest Baneasa airport to celebrate the addition. The event was sponsored by Cessna and Eurocopter who showcased their aircraft alongside the Eurojet fleet," says Avolus's Alexis Grabar.

"The venue was also significant because Eurojet's business-to-business client demand comes from the UK and Russia and Eurojet's business-to-client demand comes from Romania, the Balkans and Eastern Europe."

Avolus Ltd has two divisions. One is charter which focuses on private jets, helicopters, yachts and limousines and the other is aircraft sales and acquisitions.

From its base in Romania, Eurojet operates a fleet of four aircraft and provides aircraft management services. As well as Bucharest, Avolus has international offices in key cities such as London, Moscow and Monaco.

Client analysis

Grabar says that a large proportion of Avolus UK clients request large cabin aircraft, confirming a growing trend towards bigger jets.

He adds: "2010 is proving to be a good year, with year on year charter requests so far up 25 per cent. The ratio of clients chartering mid-size and heavy jets as opposed to light jets and VLJs have significantly increased as have charter requests."

He adds: "At the half year 2010, Avolus client analysis indicated almost 40 per cent of new clients are requesting mid-size and heavy jets as opposed to small cabin aircraft. The company has found themselves a niche in the market providing highly competitive ad hoc charter to those clients formerly flying on fractional and block hours programmes, and previous aircraft owners looking for more economical ways to fly privately."

Angelli concludes, on the evidence of feedback received, that an increasing number of clients want high quality service without the long-term commitment required by card programmes and fractionals.

She also reports that the company's €12m construction of a private jet terminal in Eastern Europe is making good progress.