Pre-owned helicopter sales strong in niche markets, says PremiAir Global

Monday 23rd February, 2009

The inventory of used helicopters in the market has increased dramatically over the past six months signifying a move very much towards a buyer’s market, notes Tim Blockley, Managing Director of PremiAir Global. Financing is becoming more of a challenge with banks and financial institutions asking for significantly greater security in the form of larger deposits and guarantees, but there is still demand and activity is slow yet healthy in certain sectors.

Values of certain helicopter models have suffered more than others, particularly VIP/corporate use models. New build sales are down but demand appears strong from the EMS and offshore sectors. The pre-owned market is also attracting opportunistic cash buyers in all regions. “The strength of the US dollar against the Euro and Sterling has offset some of the negativity, at least for sellers in the Eurozone and particularly in the UK, where we continue to see demand. We sold a UK based Twinstar earlier this month to a European operator and this trend looks set to continue with the Pound being so weak”.

Against this challenging background, Tim Blockley and David McRobert, Managing Director of PremiAir are heading out to the world’s largest helicopter trade show, Heli-Expo in Anaheim, California next week, to assess the rotary market in the US. Also on the agenda is interest in forging new relationships with prospective associates.

“PremiAir Global has seen a marked increase in enquiries for pre-owned rotary aircraft since February, which bodes well for Heli-Expo and we are brokering a number of serious offers on helicopters we represent exclusively on behalf of clients.”

Since commencing business from Farnborough Airport in July 2008, PremiAir Global, PremiAir’s business aircraft sales and brokerage specialist, has built up a 20-strong high quality portfolio of executive helicopters, turboprops and business jets.

Luxury AW139 designed by Candy & Candy for sale at Euro €10.95 million

During HAI PremiAir Global will be highlighting an Agusta AW139 at a very attractive price of Є10.95 m (approx 14m US$). Available for delivery in June 2009, the aircraft is a distinctive one-off with a presidential boardroom style interior, custom designed by Candy & Candy in the UK. It features all the very latest equipment from Agusta Westland including an Active Vibration Control System. At the other end of the size spectrum, PremiAir Global is also marketing a privately-owned AS350B2 with an autopilot system, currently being marketed for £980,000 (approx 1.4m US$).

PremiAir Global is also exclusively offering two Eurocopter AS365N3s in corporate configuration, which can be modified to full offshore (or EMS) if required; a VIP EC155B; a very recent EC135T2i; two low cost IFR aircraft in the form of an A109A MKII and Bell 222 and a 1999 Bell JetRanger 3, with one owner since new.

For full details of PremiAir Global’s portfolio, please contact Tim Blockley at Heli-Expo in California on +44 7500 082212.

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Editor’s Notes:

• Established 25 years ago, PremiAir is the UK’s largest Executive Helicopter operating and charter company. It has bases at Blackbushe, Oxford and Farnborough Airports in the UK

• PremiAir also manages and operates The London Heliport at Battersea which remains the UK capitals only commercial heliport. New ultra modern business aviation terminal facilities will be opening late 2009 connected to a new luxury 5 star hotel development.

• PremiAir flies approximately 4,000 charter hours a year with its modern fleet of Sikorsky 76s, Eurocopter Twin Squirrels and one Bell 222. It has 18 Executive Helicopters on management programmes, providing a turnkey service to the owner – either private companies or individuals.

• PremiAir Aircraft Engineering, an FAA, EASA, CAA Part 145-approved organisation, is a Hawker Beechcraft Authorised Service Centre supporting the full range of Beechcraft products. For rotary wing support PremiAir is a Sikorsky Service Centre for the S76 (all models) and a Bell Customer Service Facility for Bell 222, 230 and 430. It is also one of the largest Eurocopter maintenance centres in Europe supporting EC155, AS365 Dauphin and AS355 Twin Squirrel. Also it provides for support services on the AgustaWestland 109 model range. PremiAir is also a Pratt & Whitney Canada recognised maintenance facility and is a distributor for Honeywell, Rockwell Collins and numerous other equipment vendors.

• PremiAir Aircraft Engineering boasts Part 21J and G design and manufacturer approvals for aircraft modifications. With a large and experienced design office team, the company provides full refurbishment and upgrade services on most executive helicopter types and a wide range of fixed wing aircraft, including the full Beechcraft model range. Fixed wing aircraft are maintained at a new facility at Oxford Airport, which opened in October last year.
• PremiAir is a leading player in the provision of pilots to the UK Police Forces with contracts with 10 UK / Ireland Police Air Support units – both rotary and fixed wing operations.

• Farnborough-based PremiAir Global is the company’s aircraft sales and brokerage specialist. It specialises in acquiring and selling new and used helicopters and business jets and is based at Farnborough Airport, UK.

• Buying Business Travel Diamond Award Winner 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 Best Executive Aviation Provider. Luxury Travel Winner Best Private Charter Company 2008.