K5 Aviation of Germany has appointed Swiss company Vertis Aviation as the exclusive charter sales agent for its Global Express.

Erik Scheidt, founder and flight operations manager of K5, says: "Vertis Aviation is a valuable sales partner for us which allows us to concentrate on our core business of providing superior aircraft management, aircraft sales and operational support to our growing fleet of aircraft."

The aircraft is Austrian-registered but based in Munich and was booked for its first charter on the day it was added to K5's AOC. It was first delivered in 2001, refurbished in November 2011 and underwent a full 8C maintenance inspection in Germany.

"Ultra long range aircraft are generally in good demand," says Jeffrey Emmenis, partner in Vertis Aviation, "but we find that clients are leaving it to the last minute to firm up their bookings. There is also a lot of competition from the US market that has placed cheaper and older Gulfstream IV aircraft in Europe to capitalise on the lucrative one-way market between Europe and the US East Coast."

Vertis also represents a Global XRS which is operated by ExecuJet Europe and a Learjet 60 with GAS Air Service. It is offering a butler style service onboard the K5 aircraft to further enhance its offer to the market.

The Global Express can fly non-stop Moscow/New York, London/ Beijing and Paris/Cape Town. Onboard facilities include an entertainment system, with multi-region DVD player, and a satellite telephone.