Jetfly accepts 5th PC-24 and 1st PC-12 NGX
In July, Jetfly Aviation took delivery of not one, but two, new aircraft: a fifth PC-24 and an initial PC-12 NGX. These acquisitions further reinforce the partnership of many years between the Swiss aircraft manufacturer and Europe’s largest fleet operato
Jetfly Aviation opted for the Swiss-made Super Versatile Jet right from the earliest days of the PC-24 programme: the fractional ownership provider has thus far operated four PC-24s, with which it has flown over 2,400 hours.
The next PC-24, with its unmistakable design by Philippe Starck, has just joined the Jetfly fleet. Successful PC-24 launch customer Cédric Lescop, CEO of Jetfly, explains: “The handover of our fifth PC-24 within two years marks the end of a successful phase of expansion. We are proud that our PC-24 fractional ownership programme has already attracted no fewer than 50 part-owners. Everyone is very happy with the Super Versatile Jet’s performance and extremely appreciative of the generous cabin. Firmly convinced of the qualities of this unique aircraft, we are already looking forward to taking delivery of our sixth PC-24 towards the end of this year.”
The new generation PC-12 proves very popular A first PC-12 NGX, the latest version of the Pilatus bestseller, was also handed over to Jetfly on the same occasion. Maxime Bouchard, General Manager of Jetfly, commented: “When Pilatus presented the upgraded features of the next generation of PC-12s to us last year we were on board immediately. The new cabin with its larger windows and full authority digital engine control system, to name but a few improvements have added significantly to a product that is already extremely popular!”
Founded in 1939, Pilatus Aircraft Ltd is the only Swiss company to develop, produce and sell aircraft to customers around the world: from the legendary Pilatus Porter PC-6 to the best-selling single-engine turboprop in its class, the PC-12, and the PC-21, the training system of the future. The latest aircraft is the PC-24; the world’s first ever business jet for use on short unprepared runways. Domiciled in Stans, the company is certified to ISO 14001 in recognition of its efforts for the environment. The Pilatus Group includes two independent subsidiaries in Broomfield (Colorado, USA) and Adelaide (Australia).
With over 2,000 employees at its headquarters, Pilatus is one of the largest employers in Central Switzerland. Pilatus provides training for about 130 apprentices in 13 different professions. Job training for young people has always been a very high priority at Pilatus.
Also attending the special handover was Ignaz Gretener, VP General Aviation at Pilatus who remarked: “This double delivery to Jetfly, a customer of many years standing, is proof that we are very much on the right track with our two general aviation products, the PC-12 NGX and the PC-24. Our customers appreciate the versatility and unique qualities of both aircraft. The launch of the PC-12 NGX is going very well indeed and confirms that a combination of reliability and efficiency paired with modern design and comfort is particularly appealing in the current market. Demand for the PC-24 Super Versatile Jet also remains high, generally speaking.”
Jetfly Aviation was founded in 1999 and is a fractional ownership operator. Jetfly customers each own a share in an aircraft, entitling them to hire it for private or business use whenever they wish. The company’s fleet is comprised entirely of Pilatus aircraft. The Jetfly Group, which also includes Fly 7 Aviation, currently operates 47 Pilatus aircraft, making it the largest Pilatus fleet anywhere in Europe. Jetfly employs a workforce of 250.