Oxford airport-based Volare Aviation continued its upward growth trajectory throughout 2021, seeing demand for its aircraft sales and management offering continue to rise, as well as venturing into other projects.

“What we're offering is the ability for clients to come to our aircraft showroom, view and purchase a jet or helicopter then fly in it within a few days,” states founder and chairman Dustin Dryden. “Combined with our aircraft management and heavy maintenance capabilities, we've been able to capitalise on those entering the market looking for a holistic, fully-managed solution, especially first-time buyers. We have the in-house capabilities to truly help aircraft owners make their jet or helicopter their own. In the past 12 months we have completed the sale as well as bespoke interior, paint and avionics upgrades on 23 aircraft.”

Volare now has a fleet of more than 30 jets and helicopters under management, including 10 versions of the Bombardier Challenger. Director of sales Nick Isbister comments: “We have particular expertise in Challengers, utilising our buying power and experience in managing the type. We're now one of the largest operators of Challengers in Europe.''

The fleet also includes three Hawkers, a Falcon 2000, a King Air 350 and 13 Agusta 109 helicopters, 11 of which were acquired earlier in the year from Babcock.

Volare's in-house engineering and refurbishment team has been working on the acquired helicopters over the last few months, and each of them will soon be luxury helicopters, available to purchase and operate with Volare.

The firm has also been transforming a Sikorsky S76 C++ helicopter, originally acquired from Switzerland. In October, the newly refurbished helicopter completed its delivery flight to its new owner in Abuja, Nigeria. The 4,500 nm journey across Europe and Africa involved 22 sectors and took over 10 days to complete.

The variation of projects Volare has undertaken has also been wide, as the launch of the Rolls-Royce Black Badge Ghost motor car saw a matte black Agusta 109 helicopter as the backdrop, supplied by Volare. “It was an honour to help launch the new Rolls-Royce, and this is certainly an area we will continue to explore,” Dryden concludes.