Further to last month’s front-page report, ‘Premier scores top marks with Gregg Air,’ EBAN spoke to Gregg Air md Alex Durand about the acquisition of the £4 million Premier 1 – one of only two of its type to be registered in the UK – and a CitationJet 525.

Said Durand: “I am delighted to unveil the latest member of our fleet and I am confident that the Premier 1 will enable us to continue to deliver outstanding service to our clients and uphold our reputation as being the UK’s number one private jet company. The Premier will enable Gregg Air to provide the safest, most convenient and luxurious form of private air travel in the industry.”

The aircraft features a fully integrated avionics suite and offers the flexibility to fly in single pilot operation. An ECU (Electronic Control Unit) manages engine operation and fuel schedules, reducing pilot workloads. Gregg Air’s pilots were trained at FlightSafety International, home to the world’s only Premier 1 training simulator.

According to Durand, the arrival of the Premier 1 has come during a period of significant growth in an industry that is not as exclusive as it may first appear. “The recent aviation recession has ensured that only the most competitive companies who offer clients outstanding levels of service, at a realistic price, have survived,” he said. “Today, the cost per head of private air travel is very competitive to that of scheduled airlines, making it a very real possibility for both private and corporate clients.”

Gregg Air has also registered a CitationJet 525, which it regards as the best choice for the entry-level jet market. The company has always operated Citations and feels comfortable with the brand.

Durand commented that, in this instance, the firm didn’t consider any other aircraft. He said: “I just don’t think there’s any substitute at that end of the market. It’s a great entry level jet and what we’ve found is that there’s no substitute for trying to get people from turbo props and King Airs. People are sometimes reluctant to make the jump, so the CJs are a great option. I think it’s still the best small jet around and the most cost effective.”

Experience has taught Gregg Air that customer reaction to the Citations will most likely prove as positive as ever, but Durand is hopeful that the company can also extend its market. He said: “What we’re trying to do is aggressively push the concept of charter because I feel we’re still a hidden industry and, like many others, rely on NetJets to provide the profile for private aircraft.”

For Durand the issue is also one of confidence, both in terms of specific services such as their own, and the charter market in general. “There’s a lot more confidence than there was, and I think people are happy to travel again. But it’s been very slow to come back. We’ve got the CJ, we’ve got the Ultra, progressing up to mid-size aircraft such as the Excel and the Hawker, and we’re hoping to add something a bit larger in the next couple of months.”

With over 20 years experience behind it, the company is confident that it can consistently provide

the high levels of service thatwill see customers returning for more, but there’s a more general message

as well. “I think that in the US, charter is just part and parcel of how people travel, whilst over here it’s still regarded as a luxury thing. The few that are proactive about either chartering or having their own aircraft are generally industry leaders, and we’re trying to get the message to people that this could change the way they do business.”