On the Record with
DAVID HURLEY, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, PRIVATAIR GROUP
PrivatAir Expands into U.S, Snares Paris

PrivatAir CEO David Hurley.

PrivatAir launched itself last month from a Geneva-based charter group into a global business aviation company with the acquisition of Flight Services Group of Stratford, Connecticut, and Transair's fixed base operations at Le Bourget, Paris. The new company, named PrivatAir Group, will have annual revenues of some $100 million.

PrivatAir (here at Booth 7653) is anxious to tell everyone of its expansion plans now it spans the Atlantic.

In a nutshell, it aims to expand its Boeing BBJ charter operations to North America, while expanding its fleet to meet demand. At the top end of its range PrivatAir currently operates three BBJs. an executive Boeing 737-300, and a VIP Boeing 757.

"We are kicking off a major program to provide BBJ operations in North America," said David Hurley, new CEO of PrivatAir and the founder of FSG in 1984. "We will offer PrivatAir's cabin service, which is second to none."

PrivatAir's fleet includes three Boeing BBJs and one executive 737-300.

Service has already begun with one of PrivatAir's three Swiss-registered BBJs under Part 129 regulations, but the FSG connection is expected to bring a Part 121 operating certificate by late spring, Hurley told Show News.

"We will continue to grow to become the premier operator of the BBJ charter fleet in the U.S. and Canada. And we want to expand into BBJ management as well, as we have been managing and operating VIP Boeings for over 17 years," Hurley said.

The new CEO believes there is great pent up demand for BBJ service in the U.S., and that PrivatAir Group will soon order additional aircraft to expand its fleet there.

But first it will deploy the second of its Swiss-registered aircraft to North America, with further additions dependent on demand.

Working in its favor is the rapidly-increasing sophistication of the market, Hurley said. No longer are executives content to ride around in 20-year-old ex-airliners; now they demand new equipment. He should know: FSG has included BAC-111s and DC-9s in its managed executive aircraft fleet for the past several years.

"Frankly the market is becoming much more savvy," Hurley said. "They would like to ride around in new Boeing BBJs."

The new PrivatAir will operate from both FSG's Stratford offices and PrivatAir's Geneva HQ with a total of 20 operations facilities and a fleet approaching 50 aircraft.

"We are coming out of the starting gate as a company with critical mass in terms of revenue and equipment and a record of excellent service and performance," said Hurley.

"Our aim is to provide standards of service that are above all of our competitors," he added. Hurley noted that the acquisition of Transair at Le Bourget gives PrivatAir a 35% share of air traffic handling at the EU's premier business aviation airport.