The Luxaviation Group has launched what it claims is the first VIP helicopter management company with a truly global reach. Present in key locations spanning the Group’s worldwide operations in Africa, Asia-Pacific, the Caribbean, Europe, the Americas and the Middle East, Luxaviation Helicopters will manage VIP and VVIP helicopters for private and business clients.
Created in 2008, Luxaviation has grown into a business aviation services company managing a fleet of more than 260 aircraft, along with 24 FBO facilities and 14 maintenance centres worldwide. It became the world’s second largest corporate aircraft operator following its acquisition of Switzerland-based ExecuJet in May 2015. It is 33%-owned by Chinese financial group China Minsheng.
Under the leadership of former Luxavation Group COO — and former military helicopter pilot — Charlotte Pedersen, Luxaviation Helicopters will specialise in helicopter management, delivering services to helicopter owners including crew provision, training, maintenance coordination, charter services, sales and acquisitions. Pedersen says the company will “bring the luxury service standards of business jets into the helicopter world”.
From Spring 2017, the company will become one of the first VIP helicopter operators in Europe holding EASA approval, allowing the company to operate charter flights to offshore yachts and cruise liners.
Luxaviation Helicopters will manage all helicopter activity within the group. The company says that the business will continue to expand worldwide via organic growth, company acquisitions and joint venture agreements with existing helicopter companies.
The group has been seeking to expand its Asia-Pacific footprint over the past year. In September it signed a strategic partnership with Darwin Aviation, a Thailand-registered aviation brokerages company, to expand its charter operator and aircraft management business in South-East Asia. That followed the conclusion of a strategic partnership with Malaysia’s leading transport and logistics company DMG Adventures, in August.