UK-based European Skytime has flown its 2,000th hour of private charter 16 months after its first sale. By using a mix of fully owned, partly owned and chartered aircraft supporting a guaranteed availability programme called “Flight Commitment’ Skytime has remained popular for the low to medium user between 20 and 50 occupied flight hours a year.

According to md Steve Westlake, the secret is in keeping your distance from the aircraft and their associated operational complexities and focusing on the customer. “Those who manage and fly our aircraft

are the best in the business worldwide, we pay them well to do what they do best – and that is providing a flexible and simple flight programme for our customers. In past experience its easy to be sucked in by the aircraft and lose sight of the customers detailed require-ments. We leave the movement of the aircraft to the professionals and for some, we have given up to 600 hours of business already.

The company provides aircraft for private and business use, and reports that it is currently experiencing quite a lot of new comers to private aviation – starting off with lighter aircraft such as twin pistons and turboprops with the occasional interchange up to a jet for further distance flights.

European Skytime’s target is to acquire a further 2,000 hours of flying over the next twelve months.