NetJets Europe has had an “encouraging start” to 2015, and company president and COO Mark Wilson expects this momentum to continue throughout the year. The fractional ownership provider experienced single-digit percentage growth in Europe over the past year.
“EBACE heralds the start of the busy summer season here in Europe,” Wilson told AIN, citing the Monaco Grand Prix next weekend, as well as the Cannes Film Festival and numerous trade shows taking place in the region over the coming months. Further, he said geopolitical tensions–flared by the Russia-Ukraine military standoff and largely responsible for declining flight activity in Eastern Europe last year–now seem to be subsiding.
The addition of new Signature Series Bombardier Global 6000s and Embraer Phenom 300s–as well as the Bombardier Challenger 350, the first of which was delivered to NetJets Europe here at EBACE on Monday–is also helping to drive growth at the fractional provider. “Adding new airplane types stimulates the market,” Wilson said. “And our Signature Series interiors differentiate our aircraft, offering a premium, unique version.” It plans on adding Cessna Citation Latitudes to the fleet next year.
While Europe, Russia and the CIS are its main operating area, NetJets Europe is also reaching “other markets on its doorstep,” Wilson said. This includes some major cities in North Africa and the Middle East, which could bring the promise of further growth for the company.
Meanwhile, NetJets Europe (Booth Z115) is working with the European Business Aviation Association to change the perception of business aviation in the region. “It is essential that business aviation makes its voice heard here,” according to Wilson, who will speak on this topic at 9:30 a.m. during the “Perception Is Reality” session (Hall 3, Salle Q).
“We need to convey a consistent message about the benefits of business aviation, much like NBAA and GAMA do in the U.S. through its ‘No Plane, No Gain’ campaign,” he concluded. “In addition, we need to reach out to younger people to get them interested in the industry, so we have an ample supply of future pilots, technicians and other personnel.”
