Spain’s Gestair has recently acquired two new aircraft – a Beech 400A and a Premier I – on behalf of private customers. Gestair’s international relations spokesperson Isabel Macarrón reports that they are expecting to fly around 400 hours in each aircraft. “The Beech 400A will be operating from our new offices at Pamplona due to the increase in charter demand in that particular area. This also increases our operating bases,” she said.

The company is always looking to expand and is currently in the process of presenting several aircraft to potential owners. “As professionals, we offer a consultancy service for those who want to start using it and even consider purchasing their own aircraft.”

Meanwhile Gestair division European Flyers, with training schools in Spain and Portugal, has reached an exclusive agreement with FlightSafety to offer a new training programme. “The idea is that we can offer all European students the chance to get the JAA pilot certification from a well-known school,” Macarrón explained, “with great facilities and located in a region with excellent weather for training. Half the programme is also offered at the FlightSafety campus in Florida.

“Spain is a very young market,” she continued, “especially compared to those already in Europe and let’s not even compare it with the US market!

We have been around for over 25 years and it has been quite a challenge during this time to present this kind of service and offer it to individuals and corporations as a working tool,” she said.

“We see ourselves as a pioneer for aviation in Spain with a fleet of 20 aircraft,” she said.

“We have four aircraft aimed at business charter, but keep in mind that Audeli, also part of the Gestair Group, operates business jets as well.”

The group has recently obtained a permit to build a new hangar at Madrid’s Barajas International Airport. Macarrón reports: “We are still working on the project, but we are very excited about it.

“We are also opening a new market and increasing our contacts in the FBO sector. We have been providing handling and ground service to our fleet and some third parties,” she said. “We have already reached agreements with different companies from Latin America, and from Mexico. Our fully approved maintenance centre can also provide support to the FBO service if required.”

Gestair will be attending NBAA, being held in Orlando, Florida, for the first time this year. Macarrón told EBAN why they felt it was important to exhibit at this event.

“We truly believe that exhibiting at NBAA is a great chance for us to offer a global view of what our

group represents.

“There are many companies operating within the Gestair Group and it is always good to have the chance to highlight and vocalise this,” she said. “We operate internationally, with state-of-the-art technology and highly qualified staff. We feel this will be a very positive experience for us.”