Lions Air is waiting with baited breath for further exploits from an unnamed German property developer, who recently chartered an Astra for a round-the-world anthropological trip. The three week long trip took in around 18 stops. Operations manager Simon Keith explained: “We picked the gentleman up in Phuket and took him to the Philippines, then down to Indonesia via Brunei. Then we went round Australia, from Perth, around the periphery of the coast, stopping at Alice Springs. Following on across the Pacific and over to the US before flying more or less directly back to Germany.”

The company said that the final trip through the CIS was very challenging. A trip had also been planned to Fiji, but was aborted due to a coup in the country around the same time. Keith said: “The trip followed a pattern. The aircraft would land in a country such as Papua New Guinea, our client would then jump into a helicopter, fly into the jungle and film the natives. Then he would fly on to the next destination.” The journey was well researched, and alternately various anthropological professors and guides joined the gentleman on the aircraft. Nevertheless for the majority of the trip he was flying alone.

Keith said: “It struck us as crazy to do this round the world trip and only stay one or two days in each place, especially the Barrier Reef, where he only stayed for two nights. It seemed like a bit of a waste.” The Astra was one of three aircraft managed by Lions Air on behalf of a Dutch investor, “Going to all of these fantastic places was an itinerary to dream of. We’re hoping one day he’ll use us for a trip around South America,” added Keith.

Meanwhile the Dutch investor has withdrawn the Astra along with another aircraft of the same type and a Galaxy from Lions’ management. Lions says that there was a conflict over operating methods and the investor has now established a new family run firm, named FFA Elegance Air, which will lease the aircraft. Keith said: “Some months we would lease the aircraft out for between 120 and 140 hours, but it was difficult to operate under the added pressure. Our client wanted to maintain this high level of leasing but trust, regarding factors such as credit extension wasn't forthcoming.” Lions admit that the loss has decreased the company’s capacity and resulted in a change in the composition of the fleet. Nevertheless it hopes that its block hours scheme, called Time Jet which covers its four Pilatus PC12s will add an extra dimension to Lions’ charter base.