Purchase From Falko Regional Aircraft Is Second Regional Jet For Expanding Company

The Jota Group is celebrating a winning year with its motor racing and aviation activities with the arrival of a new jet aircraft. It has purchased a BAE Systems’ Avro RJ85 regional jet from Falko, an ex SN Brussels Airlines aircraft, to add to Jota Aviation’s current BAe 146-200 and King Air turboprop fleet. The aircraft was delivered on Friday, 8th January. Now plans are underway to employ an additional 12 to 15 flight crew, pilots and cabin attendants, ahead of service start. The arrival bolsters Jota Aviation’s workforce to 50.

The aircraft, G-CHFE, will be re-registered G-JOTR and reconfigured into a 95-seat layout on completion of a C check with Avalon Aero at Cranfield. It should be ready to start commercial operations from the end of March, having been fitted with enhanced avionics, including TCAS 7.1 and PRNav which will allow it to operate at Amsterdam Schiphol and other important hub airports. With its enhanced engine performance and extended range of 1,400 nm, the Avro RJ will enable Jota to offer the charter and ACMI market an aircraft with up to four hours’ flying time. This covers all of the Mediterranean, Greek Islands, Morocco and other North African destinations. It is also approved for London City Airport operations.

“We are very pleased to have agreed terms with Falko on this aircraft. We have built up a good working relationship with them over the past 18 months, with the acquisition of this RJ85 being the headline transaction. There are a number of synergies between the two companies which both parties are keen to nurture and develop. It is low time in terms of airframe cycles and it is the right time for us to expand our charter and ACMI operations,” said Jota Aviation Managing Director Andy Green. “With over 12 months’ experience under our belt flying the BAe 146 and having built up a strong customer base, including British Airways and Ireland’s CityJet, we are confident about accepting a second jet.”

“With the new Avro we will be targeting the charter broker fraternity for group charters, conference and incentive work, plus, and importantly, Europe’s regional airlines for sub contract and ACMI work,” added Mike Sessions, Commercial Manager.

“The team has taken the business from very humble beginnings six years ago to a significant and reputable charter operator," said Jota Group CEO Simon Dolan. "It is testament to the relentless push for first class customer service that has been our DNA since Day 1. As one of only 21 A licensed UK passenger airlines in the UK, Jota can rightfully sit amongst the largest and most respected operators in this country.  There is a lot of consolidation in the air charter business, but we are sticking to our niche in a sector we have come to know well. Being independent and nimble means we can respond quickly to opportunities,” he added.

“We are making an investment to ‘future proof’ our latest aircraft with modern avionics,” Andy Green noted, adding the intention for the future is for Jota Aviation to establish its own Part 145 maintenance at its base at London Southend on the BAe/Avro family.

The Avro RJ85 complements Jota’s BAe 146-200 and a fleet of five Beechcraft King Air turboprops. Jota is the largest operator of the smaller King Air 90 family in Europe, one of which is a dedicated cargo aircraft with a large double cargo door, able to carry in excess of 1,000 kgs. It also operates the larger King Air 200, seating eight passengers.

These aircraft are deployed on cargo and passenger flights from London Southend Airport and are also available for crew movements and urgent AOG spares.

(Image provided with Jota Aviation new release. (L-R) Samantha Wilson, Commercial Manager; James Greenstreet, EVP Sales and Marketing, both Falko; Andy Green, Managing Director, Jota Aviation and Andy Whelan, VP Sales and Marketing, Falko)

FMI: www.jotaaviation.com