Air Partner enters into GSA agreement with Air Alsie

Thursday 11th March, 2010

Air Partner Private Jets today (11 March) announced a marketing agreement with Scandinavia’s leading and long established business aviation operator, Air Alsie, to act as its General Sales Agent for its wide-bodied charter fleet in Russia and the CIS.

Sonderborg, Denmark-headquartered Air Alsie is one of the biggest private jet operators in Europe with a 21-strong (all managed) fleet. This includes two brand new ultra long range, fly by wire Falcon 7Xs, the second arriving just last week. Other types include two Falcon 2000EXs, one Falcon 900EX, a Cessna Citation XLS, Challenger 300, plus CJ1, 2 and 3 Series – ideally sized for the discerning Russian market.

Air Partner is expanding its presence in the region, acknowledging that the Russian charter market was booming pre-crisis. While there has been a slight reduction in use, as elsewhere, the long trend is upwards for Russian and CIS users, owing to their geographical location, personal security requirements and travel preferences.

Air Alsie turned to Air Partner, which it has been working with for 15 years, because it understands the Russian market, is a reliable player and importantly knows what Russian clients want. “It is a perfect fit for us to team up with such a professional partner,” said Air Alsie Vice President Sales Peter Hoegh. He added: “Over the years we have performed thousands of flying hours in the region, but we have stopped short of establishing a sales organisation or entered the Russian market directly.”

“It’s a win, win for us and our clients, Russian and international. We have access to a wide database, a multi-lingual customer support team and ability to quickly source business jets that are well-sized for the Russian market,” said Air Partner Sales Director David Macdonald.

“We have many discerning high end clients, among them Forbes 100 companies, who come to us when they wish to charter into and out of Russia. They often need long range aircraft for which there is a shortage, so Air Alsie’s flexible fleet will be well received. High net worth Russian flyers in particular attach a lot of importance to flying in the newest, fastest, long range aircraft. Being able to fly from Moscow non-stop to Washington DC, Tokyo, Barbados, Bangkok, the Seychelles or the Maldives, on the near supersonic speed 7X is going to be very appealing,” he said. Air Alsie’s 7Xs are just two of a few currently available for charter worldwide. “The 7X is uniquely the only ultra long range private jet with three engines and for some clients this is a major attraction, especially when flying long routes over water, added Macdonald. On Air Partner’s popular JetCard the 7X will feature in the Global Cabin category.

Air Partner’s GSA agreement with Air Alsie extends to the provision of client sales representatives who meet every chartered flight in or out of Moscow. “This personal service is valued by all of our clients, local or overseas, when they arrive in Moscow. Air Partner representatives are there to assist with all of their requirements. This is especially pleasing for our US corporate clients,” says David Macdonald.

In the business aircraft charter market clients should be aware that through unscrupulous suppliers they may unknowingly be offered unlicensed aircraft on the ‘grey’ market in Russia. Professional specialist companies such as Air Partner, with a history of 48 years arranging charter aircraft, carry out all the necessary checks including insurance certificates and audits to ensure their clients avoid such pitfalls and have a reliable, safe and consistent service. Air Partner ensures that all of the aircraft provided to its clients are fully licensed and operated to the highest international standards at all times.

Air Alsie commenced operations in 1993. It specialises in air charter, aircraft management, advisory and maintenance activity and is a Part 145 approved on the Falcon 2000 and 900 Series, the Hawker 800 Series, plus Cessna Citation 525 and 650. It enjoys an industry-wide reputation for its highly experienced flight crews and excellent safety record. Its flight crews have flown to virtually every continent on the planet, which means they know how to deal with mountainous terrain and difficult weather conditions.

www.alsie.com

About Air Partner
Air Partner is a world-class provider of aviation services to industry, commerce, governments and individuals worldwide. The company has earned global recognition as a leading aircraft charter broker and organises ad hoc charters of aircraft of every size for any reason, dispatching more than 40,000 flights a year

Its three main divisions, supported by a host of support teams, comprise Air Partner Private Jets, Air Partner Commercial Jets and Air Partner Freight. Air Partner Private Jets offers the full range of private jet products and services including the company’s unique pre-paid JetCard scheme, on-demand charter and management of Europe’s largest fleet of modern Learjets. The Commercial Jets division charters large airliners with 20 to 500 seats for groups of every size. With its headquarters in the UK, Air Partner operates 24/7 year-round with over 20 offices spanning Europe, Asia, the Middle East and North America. The Group was formed nearly 50 years ago, is fully listed on the London Stock Exchange, is debt free and had £16.1m net cash at the end of the financial year to 31 July.

Air Partner’s expertise at providing unsurpassed private flying experiences at the best price is summed up by one fact: it is the only company in the aviation industry to hold a Royal Warrant, a globally recognised mark of excellence. The honour, as Supplier of Aircraft Charter to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, was granted in 2004.

www.airpartner.com