Ortac AOC Jersey is entering into service a Cessna Citation X. The aircraft is the only Citation X available for private charter in the British Isles.

Capable of cruising close to the speed of sound at Mach 0.925, the Citation X compresses journey times that matter most to time-critical travellers, shrinking the gap between meetings, markets and destinations across Europe and beyond. Its registration, 2-MACH, is a nod to that speed pedigree, flying close to the speed of sound, and to the aircraft's standing at the very top of the business-jet performance class.

The jet enters service following a well-executed proving flight by the flight crew team. It is operated under Ortac's AOC within the Guernsey 2-REG framework, placing the aircraft within an established, fully regulated charter operation.

With its distinctive silver livery and class-leading speed, the ‘Silver Bullet’ gives charter clients access to a level of performance previously unavailable in the British market, combining the reach of a long-range jet with the pace to make the most of every hour in the day. The message to travellers is simple: brace yourself.

“We are incredibly excited at Ortac to have the Citation X on board our AOC,” says Lee McConnell, director, Ortac AOC Jersey. “It is truly one of the most remarkable aircraft ever certified for civilian operation, and we are delighted it's the only example available in the British charter market. It's a definite head-turner, and we feel this is a genuine milestone for Ortac.”

Ortac reports strong early interest from clients seeking the speed and exclusivity the aircraft offers, and the Silver Bullet is available now for booking through the company's charter sales team.

“Clients who charter the Silver Bullet are currently choosing the fastest civilian aircraft in the sky, operated to the standards they naturally expect from Ortac,” comments Angie Pirks, sales and client services manager, Ortac AOC Jersey. “Based at London Luton Airport and available 24/7 with no owner release, it offers genuine on-demand access, and with demand for an aircraft this unique moving quickly, we'd encourage anyone interested in availability or pricing to get in touch directly.”

The arrival of the Silver Bullet comes as Ortac continues to work closely with its regulator to strengthen the 2-REG solution itself. Among the priorities are improved access to US markets and a more efficient permit process, enhancements designed to expedite and improve the current system for operators and clients alike.

Ortac is also working closely with the UK's Department for Transport to improve relations between the two systems. The Channel Islands are a Crown Dependency, inextricably linked to the Crown for more than 800 years, and Ortac believes that closer cooperation on these matters is an important element in keeping the system effective. While the company operates as a third-country operator, the proximity of the Channel Islands and that centuries-old connection help ensure the 2-REG solution continues to work for all.

And Ortac is here to stay. With its sights set firmly on long-term growth, the company is actively looking to expand its managed-aircraft fleet; the Silver Bullet is a statement of intent and a sign of much more to come.

Ortac's growth comes at a difficult moment for the sector, which has seen four UK Air Operator Certificates lost this year. It is a backdrop that underlines the value of supporting local, self-funded and independent operators. Ortac is a bespoke, homegrown business with no external investor, built and run from the Channel Islands, and is calling on brokers, aircraft owners and the wider industry to get behind operators like it.

“This is a homegrown business, run by a pilot who has been passionate about aviation since childhood; independent, bespoke and entirely self-funded, with no investor behind it,” continues McConnell. “We would value the encouragement and support of our community: the brokers, the aircraft owners and the wider industry. Backing independent operators like Ortac keeps real choice and character alive in the market, and we need the support of our community to keep growing.”