Fly above Group, trading as above, is preparing to relaunch on-demand air links across the UK and into continental Europe with the industry’s best-selling light business jet. The company has finalised the purchase of Bournemouth-based Alto Aerospace Ltd, securing a Class Type B AOC, and simultaneously acquired an Embraer Phenom 100 from Germany.

Subject to UK CAA licence approval, above will commence flights with the Phenom early next year, based at Birmingham airport. The aircraft features a four-seat 2x2 club cabin and will operate from XLR Executive Jet Services’ private terminal (FBO) as a floating-base aircraft.

The company was conceived by Vince Essex, former CCO of Cello Aviation, which ran BAe 146 and B737s on VIP charter flights from Birmingham between 2010 and 2018. Since 2003, Essex has run ground services and concierge businesses through his Arvin Group from Birmingham airport. He has onboarded an experienced operations and commercial team, supported by a mix of personal capital and investment from local partners keen to see more entry-level capacity on the UK G-register for domestic charter. Future MRO, planning, trip support, maintenance and ground handling partners will be announced in due course.

above is targeting a broad client base, offering affordable jet charter with transparent pricing, charged solely on flying hours or part thereof. The Phenom 100 is optimised for flights of one to 2.5 hours, covering UK domestic routes as well as Ireland, the Channel Islands and continental Europe – saving hours compared with long motorway journeys.

“We’re looking forward to working with charter brokers, desperate for additional G-reg light jet capacity,” says Essex. “We’ll provide general charter, ad hoc AOG support to UK airlines in and around the UK, short-notice critical medical and organ transport, sporting trips and signature celebration escapes. We are positioning above to bridge the gap in one to four seat passenger travel for domestic UK and continental Europe.”

Combining exceptional efficiency, comfort and speed, the Phenom 100 is a great option to deliver a premium travel experience at affordable prices.

above will soon announce its appointed leadership team, each bringing deep industry experience to support its AOC development and expansion into aircraft management and larger-capacity services in the future.

“I would like to thank the outgoing owners of Alto Aerospace for their commitment in making this deal possible, and Arcus Aviation in Germany for its attentiveness on the sale of the Phenom 100,” concludes Essex. “above ushers in a fresh chapter in UK aviation, at a time when tried-and-trusted aircraft platforms are being embraced. Our vision is to transform the future of personal flight for business and leisure travellers seeking convenient, cost-effective and bespoke jet charter, and we can’t wait to get started.”