Swedish media company, Bonnier, is working towards a buyout of the country’s on-line search and quote system Avinode. “Bonnier has already invested in Avinode and now wants to buy the company, which we all think will be the best move for future success,” said ceo Niklas Berg.

Avinode has now signed up a total of 150 aircraft, many of which were added in the last few months. The system officially went online for the whole of Europe at the beginning of November. Berg told EBAN: “We wanted to make sure that the software worked in Scandinavia before launching in Europe. It seems we’re now attracting most of the brokers in Europe – there are 45 active brokers using the system on a daily basis.”

The first operator to receive a booking was the UK’s Gold Air. The company received a 45,000 euro flight with its Lear 45 from a broker that they didn’t previously know. Berg explained: “This system should stop brokers having to send out for unnecessary quotes as well as increasing the speed with which a client can receive a quote.”

Avinode works on a subscription fee basis rather than commission, which is often favoured by empty leg internet providers.

“I’m generally quite sceptical about the empty leg business, because the client can always change his mind and fly back on the return leg – after all he has paid for it. In my opinion, the business should be as transparent as possible, with both flyers knowing the situation,” he said.

The company believes it has now reached a milestone in operator numbers, although a further 50 would give the preferred figure of 200. “The number of operators involved is increasing all the time. We’re reaching a point where it’s very difficult for people to enter the market.

“But for us it’s becoming easier and easier to get people involved, because we now have the major players onboard,” added Berg.