Air Partner Private Jets

[x933]

I've heard that Air Partner Private Jets has called in the administrators - can anyone confirm?

[Call Sign Maverick]

can't see this happening, but know the learjets are not flying much.
Do you think its the operator arm or the broker division. (i think the broker arm is ok still)

[x933]

I heard it was the operator arm...

[Call Sign Maverick]

yea i think thats prob the case if anything. (not that i have hurd it)
the ex owner (gold) lives close to me and mentioned the lears were not flying much. i think the hawker went a wile a go and the Challenger 300 went to Europe to a different operator. The new hanger development was put on hold and the Global Express orders stopped.
maybe they will just operate the broker arm from now on.

[SuperFlyBoy]

Yes it would seem that is the case. Apparently AP have been trying to flog the business for a while with no takers it would seem (not even for a quid!). The original acquisition of Goldair was a disaster of a deal in any case.. (well for AP at least :}).

[Monkey Boy]

Have heard the same today and can confirm it's true. Also DS recently stepped down as CEO, coincidence?

[Monkey Boy]

They have been busy denying it this afternoon since this thread popped up, I'd be interested to see some verification.


Depends who you've been talking too. The administrators may not have been called in today (but they have been appointed), but the clock is ticking. From what I've heard, they're not going to use their "huge cash reserves" to bail this department out.

[Alphabet soup]

Monkey Boy
Stone throwing from a glass house?

[Monkey Boy]

To the best of my knowledge - no.

[Phil Brockwell]

I suspect the reliability of this thread is at best premature and at worst completely fabricated.

[Privet]

There is no smoke without fire:\

[JulesRom]

Has anyone heard any more of this? Have verbally heard the odd throw away comment but nothing substantial

[Privet]

Come on Alphabet Soup you must know:D

[Call Sign Maverick]

In the News last night

Mar 11, 2010 (M2 PRESSWIRE via COMTEX) --
Air Partner Private Jets today (11 March) announced a marketing agreement with Scandinavia's leading and long established business aviation (http://www.pprune.org/#) operator, Air Alsie, to act as its General Sales Agent for its wide-bodied charter fleet in Russia and the CIS.
Sonderborg, Denmark-headquartered Air Alsie is one of the biggest private jet operators in Europe
http://kona.kontera.com/javascript/lib/imgs/grey_loader.gif
(http://www.pprune.org/#)with a 21-strong (all managed) fleet. This includes two brand new ultra long range, fly by wire Falcon 7Xs, the second arriving just last week. Other types include two Falcon 2000EXs, one Falcon 900EX, a Cessna Citation XLS, Challenger 300, plus CJ1, 2 and 3 Series - ideally sized for the discerning Russian market.

Air Partner is expanding its presence in the region, acknowledging that the Russian charter market was booming pre-crisis. While there has been a slight reduction in use, as elsewhere, the long trend is upwards for Russian and CIS users, owing to their geographical location, personal security requirements and travel (http://www.pprune.org/#) preferences.
Air Alsie turned to Air Partner, which it has been working with for 15 years, because it understands the Russian market, is a reliable player and importantly knows what Russian clients want. "It is a perfect fit for us to team up with such a professional partner," said Air Alsie Vice President Sales Peter Hough. He added: "Over the years we have performed thousands of flying (http://www.pprune.org/#) hours in the region, but we have stopped short of establishing a sales organisation or entered the Russian market directly."
"It's a win, win for us and our clients, Russian and international. We have access to a wide database, a multi-lingual customer support team and ability to quickly source business jets that are well-sized for the Russian market," said Air Partner Sales Director David Macdonald.
"We have many discerning high end clients, among them Forbes 100 companies, who come to us when they wish to charter into and out of Russia. They often need long range aircraft for which there is a shortage, so Air Alsie's flexible fleet will be well received. High net worth Russian flyers in particular attach a lot of importance to flying (http://www.pprune.org/#) in the newest, fastest, long range aircraft. Being able to fly from Moscow non-stop to Washington DC, Tokyo, Barbados (http://www.pprune.org/#), Bangkok, the Seychelles or the Maldives, on the near supersonic speed 7X is going to be very appealing," he said. Air Alsie's 7Xs are just two of a few currently available for charter worldwide.
"The 7X is uniquely the only ultra long range private jet with three engines and for some clients this is a major attraction, especially when flying long routes over water, added Macdonald. On Air Partner's popular JetCard the 7X will feature in the Global Cabin category.
Air Partner's GSA agreement with Air Alsie extends to the provision of client sales representatives who meet every chartered flight in or out of Moscow. "This personal service is valued by all of our clients, local or overseas, when they arrive in Moscow. Air Partner representatives are there to assist with all of their requirements. This is especially pleasing for our US corporate clients," says David Macdonald.
In the business aircraft charter market clients should be aware that through unscrupulous suppliers they may unknowingly be offered unlicensed aircraft on the 'grey' market in Russia. Professional specialist companies such as Air Partner, with a history of 48 years arranging charter aircraft, carry out all the necessary checks including insurance certificates and audits to ensure their clients avoid such pitfalls and have a reliable, safe and consistent service. Air Partner ensures that all of the aircraft provided to its clients are fully licensed and operated to the highest international standards at all times.
Air Alsie commenced operations in 1993 as a subsidiary of Sandma Holding A/S. It specialises in air charter, aircraft management, advisory and maintenance activity and is a Part 145 approved on the Falcon 2000 and 900 Series, the Hawker 800 Series, plus Cessna Citation 500 and 600.
It enjoys an industry-wide reputation for its highly experienced flight crews and excellent safety record. Its flight crews have flown to virtually every continent on the planet, which means they know how to deal with mountainous terrain and difficult weather conditions

[Captain Earle]

Hey guys that's great news, so much for those bu---hit rumours!

[Privet]

That has nothing to do with the LR45's at Biggin Hill - Air Partner Private Jets. Read the post properly:mad:

[x933]

Privet's right - that applies to the brokerage, which is completely seperate to APPJ.

And they're not "bull**** rumours" as you so eloquently put it - results day is Monday, and the vultures are circling.

[eghi r20]

Oh Dear.. have an axe to grind do we x933 ?

[Privatejetbroker]

let's be honest dufuusses. we all know it was a shocking purchase, AP thought they could turn it into some wonga but they timed it with the recession.

[Charlie 97]

The Biggin operation has been haemorraging cash for some time. Something will happen soon. Never understood this move!

[No RYR for me]

Ego? Noooo, not in this industry :)

[Callsign Viper]

Looks like you were right x933 ...

Not sure what the outcome will likely be now - will they be bought and sorted before anyone notices the admin's are there - will they dissappear, will the parent company bail them out (surely?) ?

Thought you might be a bit more up on this Phil ... Where's the axe now EGHI ?

Sad news, hope all works out for those involved. Wrongly timed with the Recession.

[x933]

Half year results are out tomorrow, should give more of a picture...

No axe to grind EGHI. All's fair in love and war.

[No RYR for me]

will they be bought In an industry where every company is for sale at the moment IF you find a buyer??? :bored:

You probably have to bring money....

[No RYR for me]

It is official....

Air Partner H1 pre-tax profit slumps 77%

Tue 16 Mar 2010
AIP - Air Partner

LONDON (SHARECAST) - Private jet firm Air Partner said half year pre-tax profit fell 77% after tough trading conditions both at Air Partner and within the wider aviation sector.

"This economic backdrop particularly impacted the Private Jet Operating Company at Biggin Hill which reported losses and negatively affected the larger group," said Air Parter in a statement.

The group has since decided to close the PJOC and the subsidiary has been placed with administrators.:(

For the six months ended 31 January 2010 group pre-tax profit slumped to £1m from £4.3m the year before. Revenue for the period fell 7% to £95.0m.

Chairman Aubrey Adams commented, "The board has taken decisive action to reduce overheads and ensure that the group is well positioned to return to growth as the market starts to improve.

Looking ahead Adams noted, "The air charter market remains extremely challenging, but we are seeing tentative signs of some recovery in the fourth quarter."

[Privatejetbroker]

Skytime will be rubbing their hands.....

[LGW Vulture]

If they have to rely on the Current Administrator to find a Buyer then God help them. The phrase "Total Prize Prat" springs to mind. :rolleyes:

[Privet]

I here that BA are interested in APPJ to cover their short haul routes:ugh:

[Dumbledor]

I don't suppose there are any thoughts out there for the great, hard working, professional group of people that worked for APPJ that have been dumped in the last couple of days whilst you are all so busy making your smart remarks.

Well done all ex employees of APPJ, you always provided a great service to be proud of, you are a smashing crowd and good luck for the future.

D

[Privet]

Take it easy, life is too short! Have you heard of the word humour?

[shed loads]

Sadly Ladies and Gentlemen humour, however intended, is seldom appropriate or welcome at such times.

I speak as one who was victim to a company collapse some 17 months ago. Yes the vultures and crows circled and picked at that one before and after too. There are still several people still to find work.

Good luck to one and all.

[flapassym]

What Dumbledor and Shed Loads said!:)

In fact Dumbledor,'that is exactly what I expected you to say':p

[benemack]

"Total Prize Prat" - that's a bit unfair! I'm doing my best - there's not that many other insolvency practitioners that really understand aviation. Read my report when it's published in a few weeks time to get the true story - though I have to say there's no scandal - just the fall-out of the mess the bizjet economy's in.

[merlinxx]

Maybe 'Dirty Books & Dildos' will repurchase:E

[Deva Diva]

Privet
Take it easy, life is too short! Have you heard of the word humour?

I think 'P45' wipes out humour ?! :ugh: Maybe a little more thought and compassion ? Best of luck to all the guys, hope things turn out OK for you :ok:

[LGW Vulture]

Benemack quote - "I'm doing my best - there's not that many other insolvency practitioners that really understand aviation"

Hmmm....if tin twitching is experience and understanding of aviation then you certainly have it!

Good luck AP personnel - one hope´s this time my cynicism towards this particular IP will be unfounded.

[Call Sign Maverick]

oh dear Mr JB (Md), see what comes around goes around, i hear tescos are loooking for trolly staff.
To the other great staff at the office and skys i wish you the best, you have always been great to work with.

[potatowings]

I would like to add my best wishes to all those from APPJ, Ops, Engineering, Sales and Crew, you are all a fantastic bunch. My heart fealt thanks for the time I got to spend with you all and my thoughts go out to all of you. Good luck!

You are all exceptional.

[flapassym]

oh dear Mr JB (Md), see what comes around goes around, i hear tescos are loooking for trolly staff.

Tee hee. If it's true then it couldn't happen to a nicer, more deserving chap!:p

[Jetset41]

MerlinXX,
Please don't use language such as that about someone who has always been the utmost gent to me,you'll notice that I cannot even paste your vile words, there's really no need and it isn't helping salvage 50 odd jobs that some-one else managed to ruin.

Jetset41

[gillman32]

Long live the rolphmeister!:)

[learjet50]

Re APPJ

Come on gentlemen its sad to hear of any company going under with the loss of Jobs.

I have not been close to the industry for about 2 years but still talk to a lot of people who are.

Ap formed APPJ when the times were good sadly they timed it wrong as did many of the Banks etc.

They had a good team at APPJ and I am sure they all worked there Bollxxks off to try to keep it going sadly they could not.

Its a sign of the current shxx climate we are in.

Re JB

I Have known JB for a good number of years and in my opinion he would not have given this fight up liteley so let stop knocking JB he did his upmost I am sure unless hes changed in the past 2-3 years to keep this project going.


Good luck to all the staff and I hope you find something soon.


Regards


Gerry (used to be with Northern Exec at Manchester)

[flapassym]

Gerry.

Sorry but with regard to JB you are wrong. In my opinion, his lack of vision,enterprise and charisma led to the demise of a good company and the loss of 50 odd jobs. We now have some of the finest people I ever had the privilege of working with on the dole due to his mis-management.

He has an almost pathological dislike for pilots that is shared by his brother ( who was brought in as Chief Engineer despite having far better people already in situ, in a breathtaking bout of nepotism) brought about by jealousy and lack of knowledge.

When in negotiations for the roster change last year he was heard to say "well you gave us a kicking in the last pay deal, now it's our turn". What kind of juvenile playground mentality is that for a senior manager?

When backed into a corner by some probing questioning by a well respected captain at a meeting, his response was "there's something very unpleasant about you" in front of a room full of people!

He was hugely out of his depth and he should have had the B*lls to admit it and leave, but greed is a great motivator.

Sorry (no i'm not actually) but Justin Hairdresser deserves all that the dole queue offers, after all, he's caused 50 other (good) people to be on it!

He's a nasty vindictive bully boy who's character has been unmasked and finally (I hope) someone at the parent company has realised this and removed him.

[tac1]

Best of luck to everyone at APPJ. There are some great people there that I have previously had the pleasure to work with.

Rob (Former MD Markoss Aviation UK).

[Call Sign Maverick]

spot on with that reply about JB.
From talking to brokers and direct customers the one reason they did not use the learjets was because of this JB.

I ve been told a broker used their learjet (05/06) as they only flew in aircraft under 5 years old and it went tech.
JB decided not to inform the broker and replaced it with a 1980 citation ii.
When the broker found out JB said it was a like for like replacement. (ie light jets).
The broker said that they were not happy with it and the customer would want some sort of price reduction, JB response was "if you dont like it take us to court, and we will win".
That broker never used them again.

I also have been told that, when a broker put a client on one of the Learjets, a few days after the trip, a nice letter from the APPJ would arrive at the passengers address informing them about APPJ, This would apear that JB was targeting the brokers customer to steel future business.

I must say though all the other staff at APPJ are great and i hope you all find something very soon.

[Tallguy]

Good luck everybody

[Tequilaboy]

....at APPJ.

Not sure the criticism of JB is necessarily true. I am sure he potentially had his hands tied from higher powers that be but I stand by what I have always said in that the size of a company such as AP, they should stick with what they are good at. I never had a problem with JB and like the guy enormously. Everyone makes duff decisions no matter what level so beware those that cast stones and anyone that denies that comment, well you must be at the helm of the most successful operation in the world, let us know who it is then!

Infighting aside the same thing happened in the early days of Bookajet. The balance just could not be achieved and plus you became a pariah in the market being a broker and operator and announcing it to the world. The industry is still to an extent old school to easily adapt to such a hybrid but everyone is trying new things and the market is so diversified right now it is hard to see what anyone is actually operating as there core business in some instances.

The whole APPJ thing took me by surprise to be fair as again harking back to Bookajet days AP would not touch Bookajet with a barge pole for having exactly the same setup as what they themselves have tried to achieve and probably through a mixture of unrealistic prices and maybe operator experience to recoup well over the odds they probably paid for GoldAir the whole empire has come crashing down. To be fair with the customer base they have if anyone could have made it work, industry downturn or not it should have been AP. Something has gone terribly tits up methinks.

Having said all that though, best of luck to all.

TB

[merlinxx]

TB nail on the head I think applies old chap. Sad though it may be, there are some positions out there for the folks to go for, be they BIZAV or Airline.

From day one I though that DS's ego trip over bought, and the Gold Air purchase was wrong.

For those who don't like my comments, I do not apologise, why ?, I've known AP (Air London) from the very early 60s :ok: A (T) Mack was a mentor to me at LGW in the early 60s.

Good luck folks, the LR45 was a bad deal, also poaching didn't endear your so called new providers of revenue to the industry.

And to JetSet41, you can vent yer spleen on me any time, you can PM me if you want a chat:ok:

[EDFLY]

Benemack quote - "I'm doing my best - there's not that many other insolvency practitioners that really understand aviation" Benemark you do not understand aviation you are just a sad spotter. Did Deloittes sack you? What you know about aviation you could fit on a pin head. :(:(

[Phil Latterly]

They had a good team at APPJ and I am sure they all worked there Bollxxks off to try to keep it going sadly they could not.

Its a sign of the current shxx climate we are in.

Re JB

I Have known JB for a good number of years and in my opinion he would not have given this fight up liteley so let stop knocking JB he did his upmost I am sure unless hes changed in the past 2-3 years to keep this project going.

I don't know anyone there, but looking at the business press yesterday they took over £3 million of losses in 18 months so whoever was in charge certainly threw serious money and effort at trying to make it work. How many other people would have gone that far?
Normally we criticise management for cutting and running; hardly the case here..... unless I'm missing something.

[LAS1997]

How sad it was to learn of APPJ calling in the administrator. It has been a terrible 18 months for the industry which frankly even before the recession suffered from too much capacity.

If you look at the history of Air Partner (Air London) they started as an air taxi and training school in the 1960's 70'. This was all closed down / sold when the decision was made (I seem to recall in the late 1970's / 80's) to concentrate their efforts in charter brokering. This was a very good decision for it made the company and its directors millions. Perhaps they should have stuck to what they know best and avoided the impulse purchase of Gold Air?

Brokers dont like chartering aircraft from Brokers, however, independent APPJ were of their parent company. Once again taking a look in the past, duirng the 1980's McCalpine had a BAC 1-11 which Air London (Partner) were given exclusive marketing rights, the result was that they achieved very little charter work for it as most brokers were concernded of their clients picking up an Air London brochure in the seat back pocket!

It is very difficult to make money operating buiness jets. If you look around at some of the companies that have made a success of it these tend to be the one's that manage aircraft on behalf of private individuals / corporations and keep their cost base as low as possible. They also tend to be very traditional in their management methods; i.e. the owners pick up the costs of operating the aircraft and any income from charter revenues off-sets some of the ownership costs. Of course, these traditional companies are not without their own problems, but they tend to survive because they keep operating costs to a minimum.

Over the last decade we have seen so many companies (Netjets) come into the market place with new idea's; their success has been minimal and some have only been kept going by large parent companies pumping millions into them. The result is that we are awash with too many business jets chasing too few clients; the profitability of the charter market has been diluted and it will take many years and more failures to make it lucrative again.

It is a tragedy when you do see companies fail and people put out of work, such a waste of talent; but I fear that we will see more in the coming months.

I have no axe to grind against APPJ or AP. Good luck to their former employees, I hope they manage to find new jobs.

[Alphabet soup]

I agree with most of what LAS1997 has said and also echo his/her very kind sentiments that everyone in this industry wishes the good hard working employees of APPJ biggin hill good fortune in the future.

one point I would like to express a view on if i may is the 'brokers don't like chartering from brokers' theme. It has become quite common now for brokers to have operating arms and operators to have more commercially active broking arms. Twinjet have The Charter Company brokerage, Oceansky do both, and many operators are also broking more these days. Avoiding the use of such suppliers is somewhat short sighted and not a option from someone offering true independant advice to a client.

the solution to fear of client loss is to build good relations and trust with your client and suppliers alike, whoever they may be. If your client values what you do they will stay with you long term, and clients who 'hop about' from supplier to supplier will always do so no matter what is or is not done to induce them.

i hope the good people at biggin hill are back at the wheel again soon. Its not a nice situation for anyone to be in and its a cloud that also hangs over many others in the industry these days.

[EDFLY]

So benemack the expert aviation insolvency practitioner have you found a buyer yet? I bet you love it at BH taking down all the tail numbers.

[captsleepy]

Airpartner purchased Goldair in Oct 1996 at a time when the business jet market, along with the economy in general was extremely buoyant, demand for quality aircraft was outstripping supply and AP thought that ownership of an operating company would guarantee supply. They felt that the name Airpartner would attract new management contracts and that managed fleet would expand rapidly and include large cabin types.
Sadly the company has been placed in administration and the final curtain has all but fallen. Was this due to the global recession, down turn in the charter market, poor management, lack of direction from the parent company, the wrong aircraft type, poor management contracts or a combination of all of the above, draw your own conclusions!
Airpartner is not the first business jet company to become insolvent and unfortunately probably will not be the last.
Of greatest importance is not what has happened but how the situation is managed and how the personnel are treated. Fortunately Airpartner is a caring people orientated company with departments for Human Resources, in house training, customer care etc.

Extract from the company’s Corporate Mission Statement “This will be done within a rewarding, professional and fun environment, where people are valued, involved and developed to be the best they can be in their chosen field. “

Airpartner plc proudly state that they are debt free, cash rich and have a bank balance in excess of £14,000,000.

On 15th March 47 professionals from sales, operations, accounts, engineering and pilots were made redundant and dumped unceremoniously into the ranks of the unemployed.

No one received any notice or warning what so ever, they were told to attend a meeting where they were introduced to the administrator to be made redundant.

All company email accounts were closed immediately, all company benefits ceased immediately

No one from the parent company either human resource department or directors turned up at Biggin Hill to explain the situation.

There was not one good will message, card or email sent by any of the Airpartner management. No sorry to see you go, good luck in the future message etc, nothing.

There was no consultation or counselling from human recourses just a presentation by the Job Centre telling everyone how to claim benefits.

There will be no redundancy payments made by the company in spite of the £14m cash reserves.

There will be no payment in lieu of notice paid by the company in spite of the £14m cash reserves.
There is no money to pay debts to suppliers

There was an announcement made reassuring the public that Airpartner plc was still in a strong and healthy position and forecasting positive growth into the future.

The directors will no doubt now be congratulating each other on a job well done and money saved without the slightest thought for the 40+ individuals dumped on the street with nothing.

I do not work for Airpartner but I do know they had a great bunch of professionals working for them at Biggin and I wish them all the very best of luck in finding new jobs.

[merlinxx]

Well said, bloody sad:ugh: My own feeling is that if Tony M.Jnr were still at the helm, maybe this would not have started/finished in such an unholy ****eheap it has come to be.:{ Still I now hush my mouth, but not my best wishes all those bloody good crew/ops folks at EGKB, good luck folks:ok: :mad:it yup, I feel for ya, keep the faith:ok:

[provo]

Excellent post catsleepy. Pretty much on the money - figuratively speaking.

[spannerbearer]

Air Partner plots global expansion (http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/04/01/340051/air-partner-plots-global-expansion.html)


Dispicable - Nothing for the guys who have been binned!

[Privet]

What a surprise more :mad: from AP, the shareholders love to see the PR!

[Dumbledor]

Flapassym and Catsleepy have hit the mark with laser guided accuracy. AP should never have got into operating a/c. They should have stuck to just flogging flights for others to fly them. They were way out of their depth, as was their hapless MD. Is there any room in this business for anyone who upsets brokers anyway? Can anyone afford to throw away charters like that...?

This recent episode has shown up the AP management to be a bunch of cynical cowards. They couldn't even find the courage to send out a few emails to keep the troops in the picture when things turned sour, or even when it went into administration. They seemed to have been very good at showing off at good times and hiding at bad times. Does that come from a career of working for commission? The employees weren't treated as 'team members' as was often quoted but as parts of a machine that was merely switched off. As for the notice pay/ redundancy, don't worry that will go towards the next AP shareholders' dividend payout! What were the AP directors' obscene bonuses for at the end of 09? As they say if a deal looks too good to be true it probably is. In 06 when they bought GAI it looked good...

Good luck to all the great people who worked at APPJ. Let's hope the next job is just around the corner for them all.

D

[Southern Apron]

I hear with bemusement that JB has retained employment with AP and is back at Platinum House, no doubt blaming everyone else except himself for the collapse of APPJ. :yuk:

[Tango9]

Directorate Change - London Stock Exchange (http://www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/prices-and-news/news/market-news/market-news-detail.html?announcementId=10443953)

:D

[flapassym]

Oh god, I know I shouldn't enjoy someone elses misfortune, but it really couldn't happen to a more deserving character:p.

UYJB.

[northernlightIII]

I used to work at Gold Air and my role was part of a small sales team dedicated to filling the seats of the aircraft. When AP took over it was obvious in a very short time that the man they had put in charge - JB was not capable of running it properly. His ego was bigger than his ability and the many mistakes he made were blamed on everyone else. He pushed out the sales team who bought in quite a few clients then set about having the same effect on the long standing clients and brokers. No doubt the contracts that Gold Air had were washed away.

Arrogance does not wear well in business today and I am sorry for those who have had to bear the brunt of it. I am just glad I got out when I did. I mean fancy saying to someone ‘I have a dark side watch out’ who did he think he was Darth Vader ! What an idiot !

I will say that I know that the company is being purchased by an aviation business which already has considerable operations experience. I cannot say who but the fact is they have the financial clout to keep the place going should they choose. This is all going through as I write this. All is not lost yet at Biggin so I think crews and ops will be ok but for JB the ride is over !

[provo]

I wonder whether JB went voluntarily or whether the Board asked for his resignation. Reputation counts for a lot so it will be interesting to see where he ends up

[Tequilaboy]

Anyone have an inkling of whom the potential suitor for APPJ is? Could be a good purchase at the right price. Never been a fan of the L45 but there has to be a market for the lighter cabin outside of the traditional charter patterns at the moment.

Speaking of which, how are our VLJ friends at the moment, Blink et al. Everytime I am down at FAB always seem to see their Mustang there. Nothing malicious or derogatory intended, just wondered how it was all going after all the fanfares......

[x933]

L45's struggled to be competetive over the last 6 months; Excel / XLS operators were being more flexible with the hourly rate so a decent broker could - more often than not - find the Excel / XLS for a better price. Not a brilliant charter aircraft; Groups of 6 people more often than not were taking CJ2's.

Can't comment on Blink et al. Well, I can - but I won't :E.

[Southern Apron]

I wonder whether JB went voluntarily or whether the Board asked for his resignation. Reputation counts for a lot so it will be interesting to see where he ends up


I would imagine he was politely asked to consider his future by the board. I can't imagine for one minute he would voluntarily hand in his resignation, his arrogance wouldn't allow him to do that.

[learjet50]

Reading the various comments about JB I must say I am surprised at his change of character.

I have met him on several occations when he was a broker only at Gatwick and I Have not seen him for about 4 Years .

I am sure all your comments are correct as there are so many people who have commented about his arrogance.

Knowing AP I am sure he will be getting a big Fat cheque to go quietly and without a fuss together with a Glowing reference which tells everbody how good he is.

I fell sorry for all the people who are now out of work and who got nothing
I am sure I know some of them from the Gold Air days and I hope the new owners will re-employ them.

Maybe he will go working for Mr Halsted ??

I doubt we will see anything else of JB but you never know as the Toxxers in this industry come back smelling of Roses

Best of luck to the poor sods out of work because of the Idiots running of APPJ



Regards

to all


Gerry X Northern Executive at Manchester

[northernlightIII]

All will be well, the buisness is being sold ! With other aircraft in the new deal also in the mix it should be a sweet deal. Get some good selling going again together with a focus on customer service, new management could work out well for everyone but that smuk JB :D

Your attitude determines your altitude !

[Dumbledor]

NL, I genuinely hope your sources are correct but the picture your painting is too optimistic for me at the moment. The AOC has gone.

With JB in charge I wonder, out of all the UK brokers, how many were kept on side and how many just boycotted APPJ altogether, like a couple of the major ones..? When the trips dry up you need all of them on side don't you?

D

[Monkey Boy]

I seem to remember that when AP first took over Gold Air there was a thread on here about it. There were many people from within Platinum House bullishly claiming that they didn't need other brokerages as they had more than enough business themselves to keep the Lear's flying. I expect comments like that may not have helped endear them to brokers either.

It often pays to be nice to people on the way up, as you're likely to meet them again on the way down!

[No RYR for me]

Apart from the discussion about the broker vs operator issues. How about the Lear45s versus either a CJ or Excel type of plane? I feel that cost conscious people go for a CJ or Bravo and people who want space go for a Excel or similar.. The lear is just an in between... :8

[Dumbledor]

'No RYR for me' - A whole different different discussion on a whole different thread methinks.

[eghi r20]

Let’s hope that Northern Lights ‘IS’ in the know, and all the hard working people from Air Partner find themselves in employment again. Good luck to you all. :\

[northernlightIII]

On GINFO today the Gold Air Lear 40 - looks like part one of the sale process going through for sure.

*********
Potential change of Registered Ownership in progressOwnership Status:CharteredRegistered Owners:AIR PARTNER PRIVATE JETS LTD
C/O ATHERTON BAILEY

[Phil Brockwell]

Is it really a saleable company, if my memory serves, it lost a fair bit of money as Gold Air and as APPJ.

There must be profitable jet companies that would be a much more attractive purchase?

PB

[seaskimmer]

NL is 'WAAAYYYY' behind the drag curve on this I fear, I believe this whole issue is done and dusted and no positive outcome (for the aircrew at least).

[spraydog]

Rumour has it,it is very soon to be up and running again with a certain WC at the helm? Also my have the old name back?

[Lever]

Board changes at Air Partner (http://www.airpartner.com/en-gb/press/board-changes-at-air-partner2/)Board changes at Air Partner


The Board of Air Partner plc today announces that Steph White, Chief Financial Officer will stand down from the Board to pursue other interests from 31st July 2010.

Steph White, CFO, commented: “I have had a great time at Air Partner and have many happy memories, but after 27 years with the Group, I am looking forward to pursuing other interests and spending more time with my family.”

Aubrey Adams, Chairman, made the following comments: “Steph has been a long standing employee and Board member of Air Partner and her many years experience with the company have been greatly appreciated. We wish Steph every success in her new endeavours.”

Mark Briffa, Chief Executive Officer, said: “I have worked with Steph for many years at Air Partner, and appreciate the important role she has played in the company. Thanks to her hard work in the recent restructuring of the company, she has helped further position the business for future growth. We wish her well in the future.”

A search process to identify a new CFO is underway and a further announcement will be made in due course. Steph White will make herself available to the Group to facilitate a smooth transition to her successor.

[Southern Apron]

Well, that's a surprise! It would be interesting to see if DS, SW & JB now set up on their own - imagine that :eek:

[merlinxx]

There's space avbl at EGKB:E

[Privet]

Mcdonald and Barber were always good mates, I wonder if he has joined him?

[The Oxygen Boys]

Apologies for blatant prostitution but if there is a mass exodus from AP and there is someone who doesn't want the drive to Starflight's office in FAB, we are looking for an experienced Exec-jet broker ;)

The O2 Boys

[Southern Apron]

several resignations from AP this morning, all headed to DS's new place.

Several sounds a bit extreme, I heard it was only three.

Mcdonald and Barber were always good mates, I wonder if he has joined him?

Now that is funny!!!! :}

[Alphabet soup]

So much interest!
Those of you who are avid AP watchers may be also interested to learn that three good new people just joined the AP Gatwick private jet broking team in the last month or so and a fourth will join in November.... i think thats also 'several', inwards. :ok:

[Dreezy]

Serious catches are they?