Ljubljana, Slovenia-based Elit'Avia has been acquired by OJets, a recent entrant to the business aviation market headquartered in Singapore. As well as taking on Elit'Avia's fleet, OJets has acquired a Challenger 650 and a Global 6000, and plans to grow the combined fleet of 23 jets further in the coming weeks.

OJets' operations will be managed under the Maltese AOC that Elit'Avia has held for several years, enabling global routes.

Newly-appointed OJets CEO Nicholas Houseman brings 20 years of industry experience to the role, having co-owned Elit'Avia since 2011 and founded Canadian completion provider Zenith Jet in 2008. He held several senior management roles at Bombardier prior to this. He says: “OJets represents the optimisation of luxury business aviation services. With our private fleet, we are offering services that respond to current market conditions by minimising capital commitment and eliminating asset risk.

“Under the expert management of chairman Michel Coulomb and CEO Puja Mahajan, Elit'Avia will continue to serve existing and prospective clients with industry-leading aircraft management, charter and VIP travel services. Collectively, our clients will benefit from access to more aircraft and more pilots, and an extended global reach with fixed operations and offices in Asia, Europe and North America. Our vision is to draw on our numerous strengths to offer an unprecedented level of service to discerning clients worldwide.”

Mahajan adds: “The relationship with OJets came about very quickly. Our investors identified an opportunity to acquire several aircraft and launch a new enterprise. The acquisition of Elit'Avia is central to the new business plan. Collectively, we are leveraging our 12 years of operational experience, strong safety record as an IS-BAO Stage 3 certified operator and our Maltese AOC, which supports the operation and growth of the OJets fleet.”

Operating as an OJets company, Elit'Avia remains based in Ljubljana with additional offices in Malta and San Marino. “We have a core fleet of 21 managed aircraft, which we will continue to support while operating the OJets fleet,” Mahajan continues. “The main benefit to our existing clients is the opportunity to access a fleet of nearly new aircraft, with an average age of two years, for unrestricted charter. We are also in a position to leverage cost-savings, based on the size of our fleet, and pass that value along to our clients.

“There will certainly be a period of adjustment for all concerned. Elit'Avia will retain its brand and fleet, but we are now part of a larger operation that includes aircraft management, charter and a wholly-owned fleet. We are confident that together OJets and Elit'Avia will present greater opportunities to our clients and employees.”