One for Buster the Bear-LTN-JFK
Silverjet secures launch aircraft
Start-up all-business class carrier Silverjet has acquired Gatwick airline Flyjet and related aircraft leasing business Skylease for a combined £9.5 million.
The double deal gives Silverjet an additional Boeing 767 through Skylease which will act as its launch aircraft for £999 return flights from Luton to New York "within three to four months".
The acquisition of Flyjet, which operates two 757s leased from Skylease for tour operators from Gatwick and Manchester, provides Silverjet with access to an Air Oeprators' Certificate and a worldwide route licence.
The acquisitions cost £5.5 million for Skylease and £4 million for Flyjet but mean that Silverjet will not need to outsource the operation of its aircraft to a third party or have to apply for its own AOC.
"As a consequence, Silverjet will achieve significant operating and capital expenditure savings and will be able to commence operations within a matter of months," a company statement said.
Silverjet has also been granted an ATOL by the Civil Aviation Authority.
The airline plans to announce the launch date for flights within the next few weeks when a reservations system will go live to take advance bookings.
CEO Lawrence Hunt said: "The acquisitions we have announced today mean that Silverjet will be ready for take off within three to four months."
Report by Phil Davies
Seema very complicated.