Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group today (5 March) announced the acquisition of 100% of the share capital of FlairJet Ltd, the London Oxford Airport-based aircraft management and charter company. Effective immediately, FlairJet will become part of the Group’s newly formed Aviation Services business unit and will continue to be led by Managing Director and founder, David Fletcher, who now has the backing of one of Europe’s largest privately owned Aerospace and Defence Groups.
Newly acquired FlairJet, which recently marked its third anniversary, will run alongside Cambridge Airport based operator Marshall Executive Aviation (MEA). The acquisition further extends the service offering of the recently formed JETability brand, offering a ‘one call’ business aviation solution. FlairJet’s Embraer Phenom aircraft also complement MEA’s Cessna Citation XLS, Citation Bravo and Bombardier Challenger 300 charter fleet.
FlairJet brings a solid relationship with Embraer to the mix. As launch operator for the Phenom 100 and 300, the company pioneered Phenom operations in Europe and has managed the acceptance and delivery of a total of 22 Embraer business jets to date. Commenting on the acquisition David Fletcher says, “We are excited to be joining one of the most respected and largest privately owned aviation groups in Europe. FlairJet has strong entrepreneurial spirit and customer service values and I believe this to be the perfect platform to support FlairJet’s ambitious plans for growth.”
Steve Fitz-Gerald, Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group CEO commented: "I am delighted to welcome the FlairJet team into our Group. This is the ideal acquisition to complement our expanding business aviation activities and it will allow us to take full advantage of synergies that exist and skills that FlairJet bring.”
FlairJet was founded in 2009 by CEO Captain David Fletcher with the backing of three prominent London QCs. It obtained its UK AOC in December of that year. From its base at London Oxford Airport, the company has established itself as a dynamic aircraft management company operating Embraer Phenom jets, with a strong track record in charter sales. It recently expanded its AOC to embrace the Middle East, Africa, the Caucuses and Russia. FlairJet has lent its technical expertise to Embraer Phenom 100 and 300 operators all around the world, offering numerous training solutions and to has managed the acquisition, acceptance and delivery of a total 22 Embraer aircraft.
Marshall Executive Aviation, part of Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group’s, Aviation Services business unit, will celebrate its 10th birthday in April this year. The company specialises in business and private aviation services and offers a diverse range of charter and aircraft management solutions for a wide range of clients. MEA’s fleet includes Citation XLS, Citation Bravo and Challenger 300 aircraft, which operate out of three main bases, London Stansted, London Luton and Cambridge Airports. MEA obtained an AOC extension last year, enabling its Challenger to operate to North and South America, Africa, the Middle East and Russia.
