PrivatAir is Siting a BBJ in New York and
Sets a Facelift for Paris-Bourget

The month-old PrivatAir Group, which numbers no fewer than three BBJs among its 50-aircraft fleet, is moving aggressively in the corporate shuttle and high-end tourism markets while improving ground facilities in locales including Paris and Geneva.

The company said here Wednesday that it would base one of its BBJs in New York and that it will have the former Transair ground handling facility at Paris-Le Bourget rebranded as a PrivatAir location in time for the Paris Air Show in June. More substantial work on the $1.1-million Le Bourget renovation project will get underway in September, said COO Greg Thomas, and is to be completed by year-end.

More ground handling opportunities in Europe are being "actively" sought, said CEO David Hurley.

PrivatAir is also building a new private terminal here in Geneva that according to Thomas is to be ready by December. It'll include customer and immigration facilities, thereby saving customers a trip to the airline terminal.

That, indeed, is the key to the company's business aviation strategy: providing clients with time-savings and convenience. "You just get on the plane," Thomas said, noting that PrivatAir's service includes luxury ground transport from client homes or offices directly to "the steps of the plane." PrivatAir combines airline operating experience, he said, with the advantages of general aviation.

The company last month secured ETOPS approval for its BBJs. "ETOPS 180 gives us a real leg up for our clients as we can cross an hour and 26 minutes off our North Atlantic route," said Hurley.

Besides saving time, PrivatAir claims it can save money for business flyers. "As a trans-Atlantic shuttle with 40 seats, you break even against business class at 27 seats," Thomas said. "The economics speak for themselves." He said the company is willing to sign short-term contracts to sell the service. "Try it and see if they like it," is part of the marketing gameplan, he said here Wednesday. "I can tell you they will."

Hurley founded Connecticut's Flight Services Group in 1984. Geneva-based PrivatAir (which dates from 1976) bought FSG and Le Bourget's Transair last year, and the new PrivatAir Group was formed last month.