Companies Handle $6.5 Million Annually In Air Charter Transactions

Aero-News has learned that Portland, OR-based air charter marketplace CharterX Corp. recently acquired Wyvern Consulting Ltd., which specializes in aviation safety auditing, consulting and information services.

Representatives with CharterX say that together, the companies will deliver Safety Intelligence, the air charter industry's first integrated information system, providing in-depth safety analysis to air charter buyers around the world.

"The acquisition of Wyvern significantly advances our strategy of building the air charter industry's premier information technology company," says Jim Betlyon, CharterX founder and president. "As air charter usage has increased markedly in recent years, safety information has become increasingly important to charter buyers. By delivering Wyvern's Safety Intelligence through CharterX's platform, buyers will be able to ensure that they are booking a safe and compliant flight."

While working with CharterX to deliver integrated safety information services, New Jersey-based Wyvern -- which has performed more than 1,500 charter audits worldwide -- will continue to operate as a separate, unbiased safety evaluations entity, providing ongoing operator, aircraft and crew analysis and consulting services.

As a combined company, CharterX and Wyvern facilitate more than $6.5 billion in air charter transactions annually. Charter operators around the world use the CharterX Industry XChange to distribute information about their fleets, availability and pricing. Thousands of charter brokers, operators, fractional-share operators, flight departments, corporations, travel agencies and individuals use the system as their primary tool for locating lift. CharterX's network processes more than 2,000 aircraft requests each day; its database has more than 15,000 aircraft worldwide, with an average of 3,000 aircraft available and 1,700 empty leg (one-way) flight segments updated daily.

Walter D. Lamon, founder of Wyvern, will continue as president, and says he views the merger with CharterX as a tremendous opportunity for his company.

"For more than 15 years, Wyvern has been the industry leader in safety standards and methodologies; CharterX has a successful track record of developing and delivering services that enable the air charter industry to operate profitably and efficiently," Lamon said. "Operators who have met Wyvern's stringent safety standards will further benefit from the CharterX distribution platform, because it will enable them to market their operational soundness to air charter buyers around the world."

FMI: www.charterx.com, www.wyvernltd.com