Christopher Whiteside, president of AJ Walter Aviation, an independent complete aircraft spares support provider, attributes significant business success to the acquisition of a Challenger 604 in 2006.

Whiteside says that the company's rapid expansion has required passionate and round-the-clock dedication from its workforce. However, a dynamic business model and hard work alone were not enough to elevate the AJW brand's global awareness and reach new customers. The decision to acquire a Challenger 604 business jet, advertised in EBAN, gave Whiteside the tool he needed to penetrate emerging markets and contribute to business growth.

"The Challenger has enabled the AJW executive team to travel cost-effectively across less developed parts of the world," explains Whiteside.

"AJW is breaking down geographical and political barriers all the time. In the past it took days to visit remote areas of Europe and Asia. Even previously closed regimes such as Turkmenistan have welcomed AJW because we have taken the trouble to find a way to visit them. The use of the Challenger conveys a level of respect and prestige upon our visit that many of these countries appreciate."

Whiteside has been looking at upgrade options from the 604 and says: "The company aircraft has been of such benefit to us that we are now looking at options to increase our range capability."

In partnership with business aircraft sales and acquisition broker Loudoun Aviation Inc, AJW is extending its spare parts and power by the hour programmes to owners of corporate Boeing and Airbus aircraft.