Athens-headquartered GainJet is to establish an Irish subsidiary, based in Shannon, to assist in extending its coverage of western Europe. GainJet Ireland has sought an AOC from the Irish Aviation Authority and is about to offer corporate charter flights.

Says CEO Ramsey Shaban: “We examined several EU options, but we felt Ireland had a lot going for it and we have seen several major companies move their bases there. We chose Shannon because, like Athens, it is a European base that is strategically located and connects continents. It has become a major aviation hub for leasing companies and for Atlantic crossing traffic.”

Adds Patrick Edmond, MD of the International Aviation Services Centre (IASC), a subsidiary of Shannon Group plc which is responsible for promoting the Shannon aviation cluster: “We are delighted to welcome GainJet. The company is joining over 50 aviation-related businesses already operating in the Shannon Free Zone. Shannon is putting a particular focus on the area of business and corporate aviation, and a commitment such as this by a leading player such as GainJet is a vote of confidence in the aviation ecosystem developed here over decades.

“This move reaffirms the location's attractiveness for aerospace and aviation related activity. A key part of our role at IASC is to support and encourage the development of the aviation cluster here.”

Shaban continues by saying that the IASC has been extremely supportive of the emerging subsidiary. “The team has very been easy to work with. We are planning to base three aircraft in Shannon as part of GainJet Ireland within the next six months; two business jets and a medevac aircraft.

“While we continue to look at expansion into Africa and the Middle East, our primary base of operation is very much in Europe,” he concludes.