LUX-Based Charter Outfit Lauds Swiss Light Jet

Jetfly Aviation, a Luxembourg Airport (LUX)-based charter concern and purveyor of aircraft management, maintenance, and fractional ownership services, has taken delivery of its tenth Pilatus PC-24 light business jet. Subject aircraft is finished in an eye-catching design conceived of by Philippe Starck, a French industrial architect and designer known for his wide range of creative undertakings.

The delivery occasioned yet another milestone in a twenty-year partnership shared by the Swiss plane-maker and the European fractional ownership specialist—which enjoys the distinction of being the world’s largest PC-24 operator.

Founded in 1999, Jetfly operates primarily in western Europe. The company prides itself on personal service and sets forth earnestly, if not somewhat rhetorically, that at Jetfly, “each customer owns a share in an aircraft, and is thus entitled to use the aircraft whenever he or she wishes.”

Speaking at the handover ceremony, Jetfly CEO Cédric Lescop stated: “Since adding the first PC-24 to our fleet in 2018, we have seen more and more customers wanting to fly with this amazingly spacious versatile jet. It’s the perfect aircraft for us; our passengers appreciate and love it!”

Mr. Lescop added: “Our customers enjoy the bright, exceptionally large cabin with eight individually-adjustable seats. The generous stowage space and cargo door allow for transport of large or bulky items of luggage. Passengers also like the fact that the PC-24 is capable of landing on very short runways. Thanks to this unique capability, they can fly to destinations not open to other jets: we can fly into St. Tropez/La Môle or Gstaad, for example. So, we take our passengers faster and closer to their destination, saving them valuable time. You can only do that in a PC-24.”

Pilatus vice-president of general aviation Ignaz Gretener remarked: “Jetfly offers its customers a perfect service. It is remarkable to see how the fleet of PC-24 fractional operators has grown both in the USA and in Europe since the PC-24 was launched in 2018. More and more customers are deciding they cannot do without the ergonomic design, flexibility, and safety of our Swiss Made business jet. In addition, its fuel-efficient turbofan engines, which can run on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), ensure cost-effective use.”

In 2007, following the success of its storied PC-12 single-engine-turboprop, Pilatus commenced design work on the PC-24—a twin-engine, straight-pipe, light business jet. The aircraft was introduced on 21 May 2013, rolled out on 01 August 2014, and made its maiden flight on 11 May 2015. The PC-24 received EASA and FAA type certification on 07 December 2017 and the first customer delivery was made on 07 February 2018. Powered by two Williams FJ44 turbofans, the PC-24 competes with Embraer’s Phenom 300 and Cessna’s Citation CJ4.

FMI: www.pilatus-aircraft.com