PrivatAir and DayJet are among U.S. companies planning to establish operations and business models in the growing markets of Russia, the Middle East and Europe.

DayJet envisages U.S.-style VLJ operations in Europe while PrivatAir's U.S. aircraft management division has just agreed to manage a Hawker 800XP based in Zurich. Current negotiations could result in two Legacies strategically placed for the booming Russian market and also in Challengers being based in Dubai. Thomas Fitzsimmons, ceo, North America, would not confirm specifics. But he says the PrivatAir U.S. aircraft management division is "eagerly looking to expand into new geographical markets, with Russia, Eastern Europe and the Arab Gulf among important targets."

Currently, PrivatAir's U.S. managed fleet consists of 40 aircraft, ranging in size from a King Air to a Global 5000. It also includes a Bell 407 helicopter. In Europe, PrivatAir's fleet includes four A319s, three BBJs, a 757 and a 767.

Florida's DayJet Corporation has longer terms plans that could replicate its "per-seat, on-demand" jet service in Europe. Ed Iacobucci, president and ceo, says DayJet members can now book "just the seat they need" aboard DayJet's Eclipse 500s; customise travel to their time and budget require-ments; fly point-to-point between an initial five Florida DayPort airports; and return home in a single day.

"Prices start at a modest premium to equivalent full fare economy coach airfares," he says. "Unlike scheduled airlines, DayJet creates a unique flight plan each and every day in response to customer requirements." DayJet has a five-year order for more than 1,000 Eclipse 500s and currently operates a dozen. It confirmed plans to provide a VLJ service in Europe but says it has not set a timetable for European operations. The confirmation came after Air Taxi Association president Joe Leader told a conference in Vienna that DayJet was "poised to set the bar as the first Eclipse 500 operator in Europe." He added: "They are in fast-tracked investment and partnering discussions with individuals and companies in the European Union, Middle East and Africa."