Prague-based ABA Air has taken delivery of a brand-new Embraer Legacy, which it is managing and operating on behalf of a private owner. The operator was asked by its client to find an aircraft in the long-range jet market that was available immediately and to carry out certification before taking on the management contract.

“It was a long process of selection,” said md Martin Orlita, “matching different models with the requirements of our clients and the owner of the aeroplane, who selected the Legacy because of the performance and comfort it offers.”

At the time of delivery, the company was certified to fly the aircraft commercially as it was already placed on the Czech aircraft register. Of ABA’s crew, one of the pilots was trained at FlightSafety in Paris a month before delivery; the other pilot was trained there following receipt of the aircraft.

“Due to the requirements of our CAA and, of course, the lack of practical experience with operation of the Legacy, our crew was supported by an instructor from Embraer,” said Orlita.

The aircraft makes most of its flights out of Prague and Bratislava and is available for ad hoc charter flights when not in use by its owner. ABA expects the Legacy to achieve at least 600 flight hours per year.

“We fly globally and, in the few months we have been operating the aircraft, we’ve been flying quite

a lot,” he added. “We have been to the other side of the globe several times, including to the US.”

The company, which is looking into acquiring a smaller jet in the future, also operates a Citation Bravo as well as some freighter aircraft, though it aims to phase out its freight operations and focus on business charter.

“We will probably be stopping this kind of business with the company and will continue to grow the charter business,” said Orlita. “The decision of our shareholders was made to grow the charter business, especially in the jet market, as we believe that this segment of the market will develop.”