Austria's A-Jet is planning the purchase of a pre-owned Global Express XRS and a Challenger 300 to bridge the gap between launch charter demand and the long lead times for new aircraft deliveries. A-Jet's parent company A-Tec Industries has an XRS scheduled for delivery in 2010 and two Challenger 300s arriving at the end of 2011 or beginning of 2012. A-Jet, which has an unrestricted worldwide AOC, will operate the aircraft.

The operator expects that its Challenger 604 will operate largely between Russia, mainly Moscow, and the "generally requested" point-to-point destinations such as Nice, Paris, London, Malaga, Rome, Cannes, Zurich and Geneva. A-Jet is assessing the potential of the route between Almaty in Kazakhstan and London, and the growing demand in the Ukraine and India. It has also lodged an FAR 129 application to enable it to service demand for US flights.

"Our experience also shows demand between the Middle East and the major European metropolis," according to sales director Thomas Zauper. "We are also prepared for flights to the so-called holiday destinations and skiing resorts such as Innsbruck and Chambeaux. Most of our customers have Russian nationality, however, we also want to evaluate and 'develop' other markets in order to achieve a more balanced customer portfolio. At the moment it is too early to say whether the demand is more in business or leisure. Our target is to create demand for both occasions."

A-Jet says the 604 was chosen because of its widebody comfort, excellent reliability, cost effectiveness and reasonable range even when operating on long haul routes. "The Global will complement the huge demand for ultra long range routes both in leisure and business, while the 300 will play its role as cost effective performer within continental Europe. All maintenance can easily be done within less than one flying hour from our home base Vienna," Zauper adds. A-Jet's business target is 700 charter flying hours within the first 12 months. It also wants to "establish a reputation as a reliable and competent partner when it comes to aircraft management."

Zauper says: "We have the expertise to arrange and support individual aircraft management requirements and needs." A-Jet, launched in September 2007, received its AOC in January. Its owners include flight instructor Peter Tutschek who is rated on the Challengers 500, 550, 560, 604, 650, Falcon 900 and the Global Express.