JetFly president Lemaigre du Breuil, confronted by the requirements of a client, his wife and four labradors, decided that a bigger aircraft than the TBM700 was needed.

The Luxembourg-based company decided in 2003 to diversify its fractional ownership aircraft with PC-12s, as reported in EBAN's May issue, and this section of the fleet will expand to 13 by the end of 2009.

JetFly launched with a TBM700 in 1999 and now has four 700s as well as a TBM850 with four more 850s scheduled for delivery over 2008 and 2009. "The TBMs are good aircraft. But we had a request for more room that we couldn't refuse and the PC-12 was the logical choice," says du Breuil.

JetFly also has four Piaggio Avanti II on order, the first two to be delivered in May and September 2008 and the others in 2009.

Du Breuil reports: "Business is very good. Demand is coming from all around Europe with countries including Switzerland, Spain, Italy, France and the U.K."

He says that the fractional approach has advantages over charter. "Where single engine aircraft are concerned you cannot have a commercial IFR so private ownership makes sense. With the fractional approach you can guarantee availability 365 days a year thanks to the fleet effect. Also the price per hour is much more competitive, so you have a guaranteed availability and a good price."