Following its recent acquisition of an Antwerp-based Citation Excel (as reported in EBAN issue 147), Belgium’s Flying Group has acquired three additional aeroplanes, with six more on order.

Within the four week period between April 15 and May 13, the company took delivery of a Citation X, a Falcon 900EX EASy and a Challenger 604, bringing its fleet tally to 14 business aircraft.

For some of the aircraft, Flying Group is providing the management for a private owner – or several owners – under its fractional ownership scheme. Some aircraft are also used for ad hoc charter flights.

The eight-passenger Citation X, which can reach speeds of up to Mach 0.92 and has a range of 5,689km, is managed on behalf of several owners. Flying Group’s president, Bernard Van Milders, is the captain of the aircraft.

The company states that its Falcon 900EX EASy is one of the ‘most modern and advanced transcontinental private jets in the world.’ Said a spokesman: “What is striking in this aircraft is undoubtedly the hyper-modern EASy cockpit, which is characterised by its four central computer screens.”

The 12-seat Challenger 604 will be operated for a single owner, but it will also be available for charter flights. The company anticipates that the aircraft will be primarily based in Rotterdam, Holland.

In addition to these fleet additions, Flying Group has ordered six new aircraft, scheduled for delivery between the end of April 2006 and the end of 2008.

“That Flying Group can rightly be labelled a strong European growth company in the private aviation sector is again demonstrated by our impressive order book. Already, six new aircraft are on the ‘to deliver’ list and discussions are in progress for other new types of aircraft.”

The company has ordered three Citation Mustangs, at a cost of just under $2.5 million each. With a maximum cruise speed 630kmh and a range of 2,400km, Flying Group believes that the four-seat (plus two pilot seats) aircraft will earn a reputation as a ‘turboprop killer.’

A Falcon 7X is also on order and, like the Mustangs, it should join the fleet in 2008. Rounding off the order book are a Falcon 900DX EASy, which is scheduled for delivery in April 2006, and a CJ3 – due to arrive in 2007.

Flying Group has also revealed its plans to build a new hangar at Antwerp International Airport.

“This building is needed for the strong fleet expansion and the arrival of new transcontinental aircraft, including the Falcon 7X,” said a spokesman.

The hangar will have a surface area of 1,750 square metres – about twice the size of the current hangar. Investment in the project is expected to reach €600,000.

Following the success of its operations at Cannes-Mandelieu, the company is also planning to construct its own building there – for the storage of aircraft and use as office space – with a budget of €3 million.