Global Jet Concepts, a Geneva-based management company has recently taken delivery of a Challenger 604 for one of its customers, who prefers to remain anonymous.

Director Laurent Autier said: “We charter the aircraft out when the owners allow us to. Commercially speaking we have two Falcon 50s, one Falcon 900, two Challenger 604s and one Challenger RJ (special edition). For private operations we have another RJ, and very soon we’ll be taking delivery of a BBJ, which will be used for corporate activities.” The company said it prefers to have aircraft available for commercial activities also, for efficiency reasons, because it can then be constantly made use of.”

The owner apparently chose the aircraft after making a number of trips throughout Europe, and he felt that the 604 was the best mid-size aircraft available, the aircraft can also fly transatlantic with a fuel stop.

Autier said: “The 604 will be chartered out generally to corporate clients. It is one of our more popular aircraft, and marks a good compromise between price and cabin size. There are nine seats, made up of a four seat club at the front, two single seats at the back and one sofa with three seats.”

The decision to add another 604 to the books was taken because, “it’s good to have more than one of the same aircraft, because you always have a backup to offer clients. This particular 604 charters for between seven and nine thousand Swiss francs per flight hour,” he said. Global Jet Concepts’ aircraft are based throughout Europe, including Geneva and London (where both 604s are currently based).

“The market is currently quite good,” concluded Autier, “I think the US downturn will hit Europe, but

in the future, possibly at the end of the year.”