The Coventry-based corporate

airline EuroSkyLink, has taken delivery of a new Piaggio P180 Avanti aircraft. EBAN spoke to business development manager Rae Manning, to find out more about the

recent purchase.

“We wanted to introduce an aircraft which is different to everything else that is available in the UK for private charter. This is a very special aeroplane,” said Manning. “It flies with the performance of a jet – it reaches the same altitude and speed, but with the cost-effectiveness of

a turboprop.

“It has a very spacious and luxurious cabin and generally, it has a lot to offer the UK market, which just hasn’t been available previously.”

Manning is convinced that it will blow the competition out of the water. “Similar aircraft that are doing the same sort of work as the Avanti, have smaller cabins. The cabin of the P180 is actually a stand-up cabin; it’s six feet wide, five feet nine inches

tall and it has its own wash-room at the rear of the aeroplane, fully enclosed with a flushing toilet — this is something that many of the

jets operating on similar routes

can’t offer.”

With business, vip and medevac work all scheduled for the Avanti, EBAN asked Manning which would be the most predominant. “We’re aiming to strike a balance with the workload. We will be operating it as an air ambulance, as well as continuing with the vip work.”

The aircraft will have a LifePort system installed for assisting in all its medical work. Manning explained: “It’s actually a whole unit that is put into the aircraft, along with all the additional medical equipment needed.” With a larger cabin space, there are also other advantages of using the Avanti for air ambulance work, according to Manning. “There is room for the doctor or medical attendant to move about and they can do what they have to do. Because of the cabin pressure, which is kept at sea-level up to 24,000 feet, it’s a much smoother ride. Since it can fly at such a high altitude, it means we can get over the weather and ensure that the patient has a far more comfortable journey.”

The UK vip charter market is already very competitive, but Manning is certain that with the Avanti, EuroSkyLink has something new to bring to the table. “You have similar aircraft, which are jets, but we can offer something different, something more luxurious and something with more economy – which is obviously what everybody is looking for.

“With the business market as it is, everybody’s looking to save money. This aircraft can get them where they need to be, at the same speed as a jet, but at a lower cost. The cabin is also big enough that you don’t feel cramped — you can get up and move around, which is very unusual for an aircraft of its size.”

Prices are available on request, but as an example of a typical mission, a day return from Coventry to Geneva for four passengers would cost in the region of £4,700. The flight duration would be one hour and 35 minutes.

EuroSkyLink has plans to add more P180s in the future. “We signed a contract at EBACE in Geneva for the purchase of an Avanti, which is due to come online with UK certification; we’re just going through that process at the moment. It will be a

G-registered aircraft and the first to operate on the UK register. After that we have an option for a further

four aircraft, over the subsequent

five years, so we’re looking to have a fleet of about five aircraft in total,” said Manning.

The company operates a third service called ‘A Grand Day Out’, which enables groups of people to fly off to do one of their favourite activities, anywhere in Europe and then fly back the same day. Popular ventures have been shopping in Paris and golfing in Ireland. Manning confirmed: “We operate the P180 for this service, but we’re certainly planning to expand on that – it’s something we are working on now, with our various packages in

mind. We’re looking at all kinds

of different activities and trips that

we can put together – we have our own selection, but obviously we’re open to customers’ suggestions, ideas or requirements.”