Christopher Mace, Group Commercial Director says, “Business aviation has fast become a viable and affordable means of supporting the travel needs of corporations worldwide. It offers considerable time saving benefits and plays a key role in facilitating important face to face meetings, boosting productivity and providing a level of flexibility and responsiveness that the scheduled network cannot deliver.”

He adds, “The new licence capability will increase our area of operation into new emerging markets, perfect for our long-range Hawker 900XP midsize jet. It also enables us to offer worldwide support for managed aircraft clients.”

The business aviation sector plays a crucial role in supporting business and connecting industry with an estimated 750,000 annual business aviation movements throughout Europe.  A recent survey* cited the most important reasons that business executives give for using business aviation as follows:

1. Saves time – 77%
2. Ability to use airports that airlines don’t serve – 69%
3. More comfortable flight – 44%
4. Privacy – 37%
5. Ability to work en route – 34%
6. Security – 29%

Business aviation provides a viable and affordable travel solution

SaxonAir’s clients include many blue chip companies, individual business men and women, sports teams, musicians, the offshore energy industry and local private families. “It’s not all champagne and caviar,” Chris Mace adds. “This misconception often means that the true value and accessibility of business aviation flights can be overlooked. Of course, luxuries can always be available on-board if requested.”

A purpose built multi-million pound Business Aviation Centre and hangar facility at SaxonAir’s headquarters in Norwich was completed in May 2011; this new first class development was designed specifically to be multi-functional meeting the needs of the private air traveller together with serving the offshore transportation sector.  The centre is now home to many other companies who collectively cover a wide aspect of aviation expertise and services.

The current charter fleet now consists of five private jet aircraft, from Light to Midsize Jets and two helicopters.  This mixed fleet is operated from Norwich and other bases around London in the UK and also Greece.

* Source: Business Jet Traveller’s Readers choice survey.

Mr Durand, 43, brings to the role over 20 years of experience in the Business Aviation sector, most recently as UK representative for the ProAir Group, Accountable Manager of Finesse Executive Ltd and prior to that, Group Managing Director for Gregg Air. His extensive experience in leadership, business planning and development, operations and safety management will support SaxonAir’s future growth and expansion and increasing presence in the international business aviation marketplace.

“I am delighted to be joining SaxonAir having watched their development with interest,” says Durand. “I am also excited about the new opportunities that I can bring through my own established network of industry relationships and experience.”

The new appointment will enable the existing Managing Director, Christopher Mace to take up a new role within SaxonAir’s parent company, Klyne Aviation as Group Commercial Director. Mr Mace’s primary focus will be to create new business opportunities for the companies within the group, including overseeing marketing activities, and maintaining a proactive commercial focus.

Chris says, “We are delighted to welcome Alex Durand into the SaxonAir team. His experience will be of great benefit to the company as it continues to excel in the business aviation market. I look forward to working with him in my new role within the Group to generate further growth within the sector.”

Chris Mace, Managing Director of SaxonAir says, “We are very excited by the new opportunities that the Hawker 900XP will offer both SaxonAir and its customers. This new aircraft will allow SaxonAir to expand its business by offering clients a greater choice of non-stop destinations with an enhanced in flight experience. We considered several other aircraft in its class, however the Hawker 900XP delivered a combination of range, speed, payload and comfort that we could not find in any other mid-size jet.”

The 900XP is the world’s best selling mid-size business jet. It can travel 2,600 nm carrying up to eight passengers and their luggage in true comfort. The stand-up cabin is spacious and well appointed with galley and full size private lavatory.

Better on board creature comforts

SaxonAir will be offering the aircraft for private charter with many of the same on board creature comforts that one would expect to find on larger sized jets; a benefit that Operations Manager, Lee McGahan describes as “right-sizing”.

“We feel it is important to provide our clients with the same level of service and on board benefits that they might be used to on Super Midsize and Heavy Jets. A multi lingual flight attendant, hot food, satellite telephone and wireless internet connection will all be included as part of the first class cabin service. After all, the aircraft may be occupied for hours at a time, and it is important that the client feels as comfortable and ‘at home’ as possible”, he says.

The new aircraft is the latest variant of Hawker 125-series with excellent efficiencies and enhancements. The Honeywell engines are the newest generation and provide more take-off and cruise thrust whilst significantly improving operating efficiency and reducing fuel burn. The improved composite winglets also contribute to its increased range and fuel economy.

Sean McGeough, Hawker Beechcraft president – Europe, Middle-East and Africa, said: “We know that SaxonAir carried out a very thorough review of the market before placing this order.   It’s a testament to all of the team at Hawker Beechcraft and a reflection of SaxonAir’s previous experience with our aircraft that they have selected the 900XP.  Having our own service centre close by in Chester was also seen as beneficial in maximising aircraft availability, with the whole package providing better value and a competitive advantage to SaxonAir’s business.”

Despite recent economic conditions and bucking the trend in general aviation, SaxonAir has experienced a 12.5% increase in charter flights flown and a 65% increase in handled flights at Norwich since moving into their new £7.9m facility at Norwich Airport in May 2011.

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SaxonAir’s new £6.5m Business Aviation Centre was opened in May this year and offers dedicated offshore facilities. It will become NHV’s new UK operating base and the company will occupy several offices, workshops and hangar space within the building as well as making use of the passenger handling facilities.

NHV (Noordzee Helikopters Vlaanderen) are specialised in all kinds of helicopter operations in Belgium, the UK, France, The Netherlands and Ghana. They provide offshore operations (hoisting and deck landings), transport of passengers and freight, medical transport, pollution control, sling operations and Search & Rescue services. The fleet consist of EC155, AS365N2/N3 Dauphin, EC145, EC120 and MD Explorer helicopters.

NHV are the third tenant to take up residence in the Klyne Business Aviation Centre alongside Glennair, a Part 147 training centre, and aviation medical company, Examinair. NHV helicopter flights will start operating from the new base on 1^st October 2011.

Nick Hallett, Managing Director of Klyne Aviation says, “We are delighted that NHV have chosen the Klyne Business Aviation Centre as their new UK operating base. Norwich Airport is an ideal central location for offshore operations and logistic support vital to our local economy. The apparent confidence in this class leading facility further enhances its role within the expanding local energy sector. We look forward to welcoming NHV into the building.”

SaxonAir has experienced continued growth since it was established in 2007. The Private Air Charter Company owns and operates a fleet of private jets and VIP helicopters as well as offering both aircraft management and handling services.

SaxonAir has experienced continued growth since it was established in 2007. The provision of the new Business Aviation Centre provides the ideal platform from which to further develop and improve operating efficiencies, further increasing their competitiveness in the business aviation market. It is the ideal handling facility for visiting aircraft and provides business travellers with an enviable first class facility to meet the growing demands of the local business aviation market.

The new state of the art Business Aviation Centre comprises of a three-storey administration and passenger handling facility sited between the two large aircraft hangars. SaxonAir’s fleet of private jets and VIP helicopters now occupy one of the hangars with staff located in its associated offices. The ground floor facilities include the main reception desk, VIP lounge, flight crew rest room, training facilities, conference room and offshore passenger handling facilities. Several of the first floor offices have been leased to other aviation related companies and there is considerable interest in the available remaining space on the second floor.

Purpose built offshore handling facilities

Discussions are taking place with several offshore helicopter and oil & gas operators regarding the lease of the purpose built second hangar and offshore passenger handling facilities. This includes four check-in desks, x-ray machines, seating for over 50 passengers and four briefing rooms. Outside, there are five dedicated AW139 size helicopter stands although larger helicopters can also be handled.

Colin Hancy, project manager for the new Klyne Business Aviation Centre says, “Norwich Airport is an ideal central location for offshore operations and logistic support.  With a mix of international and domestic routes and dedicated offshore helicopter operations, the airport is ideally placed for the expanding renewable energy sector as well as supporting the existing oil and gas infrastructure vital to our local economy. In my opinion the facilities are the very best available in the UK and will secure the business for both Norwich and the Airport for many years to come “

Norwich as a new growth point for business

Norwich itself provides one third of Norfolk’s jobs and is the largest economy, in terms of employment, in the east of England. It has been prioritised by the government as a new Growth Point; an area for major housing and employment growth. It also has the largest cluster of financial services in the eastern region and is a major centre for creative/media industries and health and life sciences.  Other important business sectors include professional services, retailing, specialised engineering and tourism.

“The demand for business aviation has grown in popularity as a new generation of business executives prefer private aircraft charter as the fastest, easiest way to travel enabling business schedules to be performed to maximize individual time efficiency and overall company productivity” says Chris Mace, Managing Director of SaxonAir. “Our new Business Aviation Centre is a strong and visible expression of SaxonAir’s confidence in the local economy.”