Vienna-based charter company Comtel Air has just acquired a Global Express, which it began operating in August. The company already owns a Falcon 900B, but had been actively looking for another long-range jet when the opportunity to buy the aircraft arose. Sales and Marketing spokeswoman Caroline Hasenauer explained Comtel’s thinking behind the choice: “When we bought the aircraft it had only done 940 flight hours, as the previous owner had only used it for private flights, not commercial. So it’s in very good condition and that’s one of the main reasons we bought it.” \r

Comtel will use the Global Express to satisfy growing demand from its Russian market, and to generate further markets in Asia, India and the US. Hasenauer is upbeat about the state of the charter market in Austria, saying: “I think the market is very good at the moment. We have five aircraft in our fleet and, if they’re not in maintenance, they all fly regularly. Overall, we have a very good feeling about how the market is developing.”

For Comtel a major strength of its strategy comes with its ownership of the aircraft. Hasenauer says: “Although the Global Express will be based in Vienna, as the owner of the aircraft we can afford to be very flexible. So for instance, if the client wishes to have the aircraft based in their city for a few weeks then we can easily do this, as there isn’t an owner wanting to get his hands on the aircraft. So we don’t have to ask anybody. If anyone wants to charter the aircraft, our sales department can simply decide yes or no. It’s a big advantage and makes the aircraft much more available.”

This flexibility allows another benefit offered by Comtel to potential clients. Hasenauer explains: “Whatever city we’re in – be it Geneva, Moscow or wherever – we tell people such as operators, brokers or whoever’s interested, that we’re in town and invite them to visit the aircraft. So when we have a flight somewhere, the crew does not go back to the hotel but stays in the aircraft and can show any potential clients around. So far we’ve had lots of interest and very positive feedback.”

Comtel has kept the interior configuration of its Global Express the same as when it was delivered. Hasenauer says: “It was in such good condition when we bought it that there didn’t seem any point in changing things.” She adds: “And it’s really a beautiful aircraft - the usual Bombardier Canadian style!”

Comtel Air began life in 1989 with a Citation I and has since grown to a fleet of two Citation IIIs, a Citation VII, a Falcon 900B and the Global Express, and Hasenauer believes the company will continue to grow: “We’re still looking to expand our fleet and are thinking about buying another Falcon 2000,” she says.