Luton-based business class-only airline Silverjet is making significant progress towards its planned start-up in December. The airline has purchased Gatwick-based charter airline Flyjet and has gained its Air Operator”s Certificate (AOC) as a result of the deal.
The launch was followed by a successful IPO, raising ”25.3m ($44.3) from institutional and other investors and confirmation of a leasing deal for two ex-ThomsonFly (formerly Britannia Airways) Boeing 767-200 aircraft.
Delivery is scheduled for no later than 31 March 2007 and 31 October 2007 respectively.
The business-class airline also gains two Boeing 757 aircraft from the Flyjet deal, which also includes Skylease (an aircraft leasing company) and its sole Boeing 767. The Flyjet deal is worth ”4.0 million and ”5.5 million in cash payable over a period of three years, dependent on the performance of the businesses and net assets at completion.
Silverjet said in a statement: "The lease cost of the Boeing 767 is below both current market rates and the parameters in Silverjet”s business plan."
Silverjet spokesperson Anthony Arthur told abtn: "This aircraft will be the first aircraft to fly on the New York route." He confirmed the first flight has been pulled forward from March or April to December or January.
"Silverjet is evaluating what it will do with the Flyjet brand in terms of rebranding or keeping it as it is, and a further announcement will be made in due course. It intended to outsource the AOC but now it has Flyjet, obviously this outsourcing will no longer happen."
Silverjet”s London base will be at a private jet terminal at Luton Airport. In New York, the airline plans to operate out of Newark Liberty Airport across the Hudson from Manhattan and with excellent rail connections.