Spain’s Gestair has acquired a Gulfstream G200, which it is operating on behalf of a private client. The Barcelona-based aircraft has so far been used solely by its owner, though it will become available for charter flights later this year.

President Isabel Macarrón believes that the 10-passenger aircraft, which is the first to be placed on the Spanish register, will complement the existing fleet. “It is a great aircraft with a new cabin layout and a premium interior,” she said.

Incorporating the fleets of Audeli and Sky Service, the Gestair Group now manages 29 aircraft, including three Global Express, two CJ1s, a Falcon 900B and an Embraer Legacy.

“It seems like the market has been picking up lately,” said Macarrón, “and we have had more inquiries about potential purchases.”

As reported in EBAN’s February edition, Madrid-based operators like Gestair have been in limbo somewhat, as the Spanish authorities have been unable to find a suitable home for business aircraft operators in the city.

However, an agreement has finally been reached by the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Development regarding business aviation in Madrid.

“Business aviation will not be taken to Getafe, nor back to Barajas Airport,” said Macarrón. “After being taken out of Barajas on a temporary basis, business aviation has been based at Torrejon, on a precarious situation as the airport hours of operation are from 6am until 11pm, and when the parking lot is full aeroplanes are sent to Barajas.

“The agreement states that Torrejon will no longer be an exclusively military facility and, due to an administrative change, will become a mixed operation airport. AENA (the public entity in charge of airports) will have more reponsability in its management now.”

According to Gestair, the military facilities will remain where they are but an executive terminal will be built on the opposite side of the runway. The airport will operate 24 hours and a new terminal will be built, as well as a taxi runway and a new parking platform .