This article needs additional citations for verification. (January 2009) |
SaxonAir Charter Limited is a British-based private charter airline based in Norwich, England. Based at Norwich International Airport the airline operates charters in the United Kingdom and Western Europe.
 | |||||||
| |||||||
| Founded | 5 April 2007 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AOC # | GB2327 | ||||||
| Hubs | Norwich International Airport London Luton Airport London Stansted Airport | ||||||
| Fleet size | 9 | ||||||
| Destinations | Worldwide | ||||||
| Parent company | Klyne Aviation | ||||||
| Headquarters | Norwich, United Kingdom | ||||||
| Key people | Roger Klyne (Chairman) Alex Durand (CEO) Capt. Howard Barber (Chief Pilot) Paul Garner(Continuing Airworthiness Manager) | ||||||
| Website | http://www.saxonair.com | ||||||
History
editOn 5 April 2007, SaxonAir started trading from a small office in the back of a hangar at Norwich International Airport, with entrepreneur co-founders Christopher Mace and James Palmer, and was overseen by chairman and associated co-founded Graeme Kalbraier. Kalbraier owns and runs an insurance call handling centre in Ipswich, UK called Call Connection. SaxonAir's primary role was to operate Kalbraier's own aircraft for company use, and when not being used by him or his staff, to offer his aircraft out to the air charter market for ad hoc, bespoke, private air charter.[1][2]
On 11 July 2008, SaxonAir gained acceptance of its own Air Operator's Certificate/AOC.[3] On the same date SaxonAir Charter Limited attained its United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority Type B Operating Licence, permitting it to carry passengers, cargo and mail on aircraft with 19 seats or less.[4]
Once the AOC had been issued SaxonAir agreed a management contract on a second aircraft, this time based at Nottingham East Midlands Airport. This aircraft is no longer operated by SaxonAir having been withdrawn from its operations in June 2009.
SaxonAir had been negotiating since its formation to build a dedicated Business Aviation Centre, which it looked to have secured investment for,[5] However, following the downturn and subsequent recession, the investment was no longer available as planned.
The investment was found however, through the sale of the company on the 15 May 2009 to Mr Roger Klyne. Mr Klyne purchased the company from the founders with former shareholders Christopher Mace becoming managing director and James Palmer the Commercial Manager.
When Mr Klyne bought SaxonAir he transferred the operation of two aircraft owned by Klyne Aviation, a Hawker 400XP and a Citation Mustang. A Beechcraft King Air 350 on order by Klyne Aviation for June 2009 delivery will also be operated by SaxonAir.
In spring 2010 SaxonAir opened a £6m Business Aviation Centre at Norwich International Airport, which is capable of handling aircraft as large as the Gulfstream and the Global Express.[6][7]
SaxonAir become one of the first UK private charter operators to fly the Hawker 400XP which the company announced to industry on 3 August 2010.[8]
In July 2011, SaxonAir announced that it had based one of its aircraft, a Citation Mustang, at Thessaloniki Airport in Greece, in partnership with Catreus Ltd.[9]
In April 2012, as part of the company's drive to become part of the local business community, SaxonAir joined the Norfolk Chambers of Commerce.[10]
Fleet
edit| Aircraft | Seats | Number |
|---|---|---|
| Hawker 750 | 8+1 | 1 |
| Hawker 900XP | 8+1 | 1 |
| Citation 510 Mustang | 4 | 1 |
| Citation 525 CJ2 | 6 | 1 |
| Hawker 400XP | 7+1 | 1 |
| Gulfstream G550 | 16 | 1 |
| Embraer Legacy 500 | 9+1 | 1 |
| Phenom 300 | 8+1 | 1 |
| Eurocopter EC120 | 4 | 1 |
| Agusta A109 | 7 | 1 |
| Total | 9 |
References
edit- ^ Friday, 8 June 2007 - SaxonAir charts the travel needs of the corporate executive
- ^ 24 July 2007 - Kalbraier plans take-off for aviation firm
- ^ UK Aeroplane and Helicopter AOC Holders N-Z (Air Operator's Certificate number GB2327)
- ^ Operating Licence
- ^ 15 October, 2008 - SaxonAir invests in Norwich expansion
- ^ Thursday, 9 October 2008 - Plans for £1m centre at airport
- ^ 27 September 2010 - SaxonAir looks to turn Norwich into centre of business aviation
- ^ Aug 3, 2010 SaxonAir celebrates Hawker 400XP debut success
- ^ 7 July 2011 - SaxonAir bases second charter Mustang in Greece
- ^ 17 April 2012 - Welcome on board - SAXONAIR