Plans To Offer Contract Management For Cirrus, Eclipse Aircraft

British aircraft charter, brokerage and management services provider One Charter Plc was recently awarded, through its subsidiary operations company One Air Taxi Ltd, an air operating certificate for public transportation by the UK Civil Aviation Authority.

The company also acquired a Cirrus SR22 G3, and will be the first operator in the UK to offer this aircraft for public transportation 'one-off' charters, targeting business, leisure or sports users of aircraft. One Air Taxi Ltd also offers a 25 hour 'Cirrus Card', acquired at £850 ($1700 US) per hour, and charged when the passenger is on board only, for the aircraft to fly in the mainland UK as an air taxi service.

The Cirrus will be based at Fairoaks Airport, near Woking in Surrey.

"The granting of the AOC means that we can attract other Cirrus owners and operate their aircraft under a management contract for charter when the aircraft is not being used by the owner," said One Charter Plc CEO Mike Ryan. "For each Cirrus aircraft that is placed under management contract, we estimate it will increase the turnover of the company by £250,000 per year."

One Charter also plans to offer a similar service for clients who wish to purchase and fly the Eclipse 500 Very Light Jet (VLJ). One Charter has an Eclipse 500 on order for delivery in 2009. For every Eclipse 500 placed under management charter, the company estimates it will increase the turnover of the company by £600,000 per year.

Ryan said that in coming years, the company will be looking to expand to a fleet of 10 or more jet aircraft. "The Cirrus is a perfect mode of transport for corporate and leisure travel and we intend to target those who drive or use first class trains on day return trips in the UK to whom time is a rare resource. The experience is similar to a luxury car journey, but by air.

"We are in serious discussions with a number of Eclipse 500 position holders and hope to be able to offer this aircraft to the air charter market in late 2008/early 2009," Ryan added. "This will complement our Cirrus operation in the UK and expand to the European market, taking us closer to our goal of being a major player in the dawning age of European Air Taxi services."

FMI: www.onecharter.co.uk/