Luxembourg-based Jetfly, which operates a fractional ownership programme, has acquired a third Pilatus PC-12. The company took delivery of the aircraft in early October and began operating shortly thereafter. Jetfly’s fractional ownership scheme began in 1999 and has since grown steadily.

The company now operates a fleet of Socata TBM 700s, and Pilatus PC-12s, all of which are targeted at an exclusively European market. Company spokesperson Liliane Daugny told EBAN: “Jetfly was born about 10 years ago in the mind of Jacques Lemaigre du Breuil who was a financial expert and a pilot, and he began to buy aircraft for his own interests. He began with fractional ownership, after he had tried to buy a plane which turned out to be too expensive. Because of this he bought it with some friends of his and he managed the ownership and maintenance of the aircraft, which soon turned into a full time job!

“One of his clients in the US suggested he check out Netjets and he found that he was doing exactly the same sort of thing. Jacques has chosen a very precise segment of the market, which is exclusively Europe, and has adapted to that market.”

Indeed, despite the name, Jetfly uses only turboprops and not jets, with most of the company’s business coming from routes such as London to Paris, Paris to Geneva and so on. “Jetfly is made for Europe,” as Daugny puts it. She added: “Also there is no base as such for our aircraft, because our co-owners are free to order their plane, seven days a week, 24 hours a day. That’s central to our business. Obviously, the co-owners pay a fee when they fly to cover the fuel and taxes, but the client is paying only when he’s in the sky, not when he’s waiting, which we think offers better value for them.”

The PC-12s are also somewhat unique, as their interiors and exteriors have been created by the leading international designer Philippe Starck. Said Daugny: “Philippe was one of Jetfly’s first clients and Jacques suggested that he design the the first Pilatus aircraft owned by the company. All our planes have the same design inside and outside, and look fantastic. The TBM 700s are differently designed, but all the Pilatus PC-12s are designed by Starck.”

Jetfly are pleased to report that customer reaction to the PC-12s has been very positive although, as Daugny points out, “Sometimes it’s hard to tell if that’s because of the aeroplane or the design!” Whichever it is, Daugny claims that the fractional ownership business at Jetfly is booming, with the company hoping to acquire a fourth PC-12 in the near future.