Empty legs 15th January – 25th January 2009

Le Bourget - Stuttgart LFPB - EDDS 24th January 09
Gulfstream G550 Seats: 16 /YOM Jan 07

London/Luton - White Plains EGGW - KHPN 15th January 09
Gulfstream G450 Seats: 14 /YOM Aug 05

Moskau/Vnukovo - Stuttgart UUWW - EDDS 18th January 09
Embraer Legacy Seats: 13 /YOM Jul 08

Stuttgart - Beirut EDDS - OLBA 24th January 09
Gulfstream G550 Seats: 16 /YOM Jan07

Tashkent - Stuttgart UTTT - EDDS 16th January 09
Airbus A 319CJ Seats: 46/ YOM Dec 99

Transient Aircraft 15th January -25th January 2009

Berlin Schönefeld EDDB 21st - 25th Jan 09
Challenger CL604 Seats: 9 /YOM Dec 03

Düsseldorf EDDL 15th January 09
Embraer Legacy Seats: 12/YOM Feb 06

Frankfurt Hahn EDFH 15th - 18th Jan 09
Lear 45 Seats: 6 /YOM Aug 08

Moskau /Vnukovo UUWW 15th - 18th Jan 09
Embraer Legacy Seats: 13 /YOM Jul 08

Moskau/Domodedovo UUDD 17th - 25th Jan 09
Gulfstream G 450 Seats: 14 /YOM Aug 05

Moskau/St. Petersburg ULLI 15th - 25th Jan 09
Challenger CL604 Seats: 9 /YOM Nov 04

München EDDM 15th - 25th Jan 09
Lear 40 Seats: 6 /YOM Sep 08

Palermo LICJ 22nd January 09
Lear 60 Seats:8 /YOM Jul 03

Tashkent UTTT 15th - 25th Jan 09
Airbus A 319CJ Seats: 46/YOM Dec99

White Plains KHPN 15th - 16th Jan 09
Gulfstream G450 Seats: 14 /YOM Aug 05

Zürich LSZH 15th - 25th Jan 09
Challenger CL 300 Seats: 8 /YOM Apr 06

GAMA RELEASES FIRST QUARTER SHIPMENTS

Yesterday, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) announced first quarter shipment and billings figures. Total industry billings were up 16.1 percent to $5.3 billion, an all-time high for the first quarter, while total shipments were down by 7.5 percent."This past quarter's overall industry billings remain impressive, with the turbine segments showing dramatic increases. The trend of increasing market share occurring outside of North America continues for most manufacturers. It is apparent, however, that current uncertainty in the U.S. economy is having an affect on some of the offerings in the piston spectrum of aircraft,” said Pete Bunce, GAMA president and CEO. “Last year, 67 percent of piston deliveries were to the North American market, making this segment the most susceptible to softness in the U.S. economy. However, as worldwide markets continue to expand, we see more capability to insulate manufacturers from the economic dynamics of any one specific region."Piston-powered airplane shipments totaled 399 units compared to 554 units delivered in the first quarter of 2007, a 28.0 percent decrease. Turboprop shipments increased from 79 units in the first quarter last year to 85 units in 2008. Business jet shipments totaled 297 units in the first quarter of 2008, a remarkable 40.8 percent increase over the 211 units delivered in the first quarter of 2007. FIRST QUARTER SHIPMENTS OF AIRPLANES MANUFACTURED WORLDWIDE

Aircraft Category	2007	2008	CHANGE
Pistons	554	399	-28.0%
Turboprops	79	85	+7.6%
Business Jets	211	297	+40.8%
Total Shipments	844	781	-7.5%

GAMA is an international trade association headquartered in Washington, DC representing over 60 of the world's leading manufacturers of general aviation aircraft, engines, avionics and related equipment. GAMA's members also operate fleets of aircraft, fixed based operations, and pilot training and maintenance training facilities. For additional information, visit GAMA’s website at http://www.gama.aero/.

Airlines vs Business Aviation

Boeing have admitted to a furher delay with the delivery of their first Dreamliner, now scheduled for the last quarter of 2009. Low Cost carriers seem to be hitting financial difficulties, the FAA investigation in maintenance procedures of some of the major US carriers have resulted in more than 1,500 scheduled flight cancellations. With the air of doom and gloom, the US and possibly even the UK heading towards an economic slowdown possibly even a mild recession, the airline industry is surely not going through a rosy period. On the other hand, business aviation seem to be continuing to experience growth, especially in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Farnborough predominantly business aviation airport, increasing movements, Embraer recently launching new business jets, Lufhansa purchasing business jets and setting up their own corporate aircraft wing. Jet Alliance experiencing growth through their Austrian airlines partnership. So what is happening? The aviation industry is a heavily regulated industry and requires huge amounts of capital to set-up and maintain an operation. New equipment has not exaclty become cheaper, the oil crisis has not really aided the industry, and as ticket prices became cheaper, it was in my opinion inevitable that the airline industry would struggle. As the major hubs became more congested, unprofitable routes dropped, new security measures at all major airports resulting in long queues and discomfort for the frequent traveller, the continued economic growth of the Asian markets, all this provided a platform for the growth of the business aviation. As more users afforded, and this is a key word, afforded, to buy business jets, the operating costs, even with the increase in oil prices, came down, this is especially true in Europe and Asia. This made a business jet charter flight more affordable to more high net worth individuals and corporations. The major difference between the airline industry and business aviation are the end users, the end user is not shopping around for the cheap ticket, forcing the airline to operate with negative margins, but the corporate jet user either affords the business jet or queues at Heathrow's spanking new so far dysfunctional Terminal 5, or with struggling Alitalia. The airlines problems are the business aviation strengths; SAVING EMPLOYEE TIME. Business aircraft can have longer ranges, flying non-stop between airports, which the end user wants to go to, not that the airline chooses, based on slots, costs, etc. Flying into London City, a short drive or helicopter flight from that meeting. INCREASING PRODUCTIVITY EN-ROUTE. Rather than writing off travelling time, studies have shown productivity on business aircraft is actually higher than in the office. Choosing with whom you fly allows for onboard meetings. EFFICIENT, RELIABLE SCHEDULING. The near total flexibility inherent in business aircraft is a powerful asset. Business determines the schedule - not the airlines. REDUCING HOURS AWAY FROM THE OFFICE AND HOME. Both business and the individual benefit when family time is not lost to non-productive travel. ENSURING INDUSTRIAL SECURITY. Use of business aircraft reduces travel visibility and eliminates unwanted and unnecessary interruptions. HIGH PERSONAL SAFETY, in a society threatened by terrorism, choosing whom you fly with has become of significant importance. INCREASING ENTERPRISE. Business aircraft allow opportunities especially those in remote regions to be more readily considered and acted upon. Studies have put access to business aircraft in the top three drivers for business relocation decisions. PROJECTING A POSITIVE CORPORATE IMAGE. As studies continue to show increased profits for corporations using business jets, we are now experiencing a scenario where using a business aircraft shows a company to be progressive with a keen interest in efficient time management and high levels of productivity. As long as the economic slowdown does not significantly impact mainland Europe, as long as the economic growth in countries such as Russia, China and India is maintained, I expect business aviation to stay on course and continue to grow.

Embraer Demos Legacy 600 in Malta

Legacy 600

In today's article, prior to the visit by Embraer visit to Malta on the 4th April 2008, we have a look in more detail at the Legacy 600 which will be landing in Malta on Thursday evening. The Legacy 600 jet provides premium comfort and privacy for up to 16 passengers in three distinct seating areas. Interior standard features include first-class leather seats, a plush divan, an elegant credenza, and spacious tables for dining or meetings. The aircraft also has a fullsize galley for hot and cold meals, a full-width aft lavatory, wardrobe and storage cabinet, and an entertainment system with DVD players and satellite telecommunications. Optional High Speed Data (HSD) and Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) capabilities allow customers to browse the Internet, access e-mails and transfer files. The 240-cubic-foot (6.8-cubic-meter) baggage compartment of the Legacy 600 is one of the largest in the industry and is easily accessible during flight, for greater passenger convenience. The aircraft cruises at a speed of up to Mach 0.80 and has a range of 3,250 nautical miles (6,019 km or 3,740 miles) with eight passengers and NBAA IFR reserves. This range, bolstered by superior passenger and luggage capacity, enables customers to fly nonstop from New York (U.S.) to London (U.K.); from London or Geneva (Switzerland) to Dubai (United Arab Emirates); from Singapore (Singapore) to Beijing (China) or to Port Moresby (Papua New Guinea); and from Jakarta (Indonesia) to Melbourne (Australia) at lower operating costs than competitive aircraft with a similar cabin size. Additionally, the Legacy 600 is one the only super mid-size jet certified to operate into and out of the London City and Cannes-Mandelieu airports. The twin-engine business jet is based on the successful ERJ 145 regional jet family platform that has accumulated over 12.5 million flight hours on 1,000 aircraft. With a platform designed to endure an average of 2,500 hours per year, low operating cost, and a track record of over 99 percent dispatch reliability, the Legacy 600 offers luxurious comfort and delivers high utilization and high availability. Priced at US$ 25.41 million, based on January 2008 economic conditions, in the baseline configuration, for FAA certification, 131 Legacy jets currently operate in 23 countries. Also available in Shuttle and Shuttle High Capacity (HC) configurations, the Legacy is designed to provide comfort and functionality. The Legacy Shuttle accommodates from 16 to 19 passengers in business class comfort. The Shuttle HC version enhances owner productivity and comfortably seats as many as 37 passengers in a superior airline-quality interior. If you are in the market for purchasing a business jet and you will be in Malta, this is an excellent opportunity to have a close inspection of this magnificent aircraft. Drop us an e-mail to schedule an appointment.

Embraer Legacy will be visting Malta

EMBRAER LEGACY 600 On the 4th April 2008, Embraer is expected to make a visit to Malta with a Legacy 600. Embraer a Brazilian manufacture would be the first business jet manufacturer to demo a business jet in Malta. Other than the Legacy 600 a heavy jet, Embraer also manufacture smaller jets uch as the Phenom 100 and the Phenom 300. However Embraer are not only business jets manufacturers but also manufacture airliners jets. In this series of 2 articles we will investigate in detail the Legacy 600 in anticipation of the demo flight expected in Malta on Thursday, 4th April, 2008.

Embraer delivered 36 Legacy 600 executive jets in 2007, surpassing the 30 aircraft the Company had projected in January 2007. This represents a 33% increase over 2006 and 80% over 2005 deliveries. The first Legacy 600 entered service in 2002 and more than 130 have been delivered to 23 countries. The jet is currently available for delivery in mid-2009, and the list price for contracts signed after March 31, 2008, will be US$ 26.93 million. “The Legacy 600 enjoys a growing global demand for its stylish comfort and amenities that deliver a premium travel experience,” said Luís Carlos Affonso, Embraer Executive Vice President, Executive Jets. “Its superior performance in the most demanding environments, the low operating cost and Embraer’s broad support network further drive customer satisfaction.” Last January, the first Legacy 600 with an enhanced interior was delivered to a European customer. The new interior had been displayed at the last National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) annual meeting and convention, in Atlanta, U.S., in September. The taller cabin (6 feet or 1.82 meters) offers more headroom and the slimmer valance provides an even more spacious feel to the cabin. The redesigned two-tone leather seats, with a seamless berthing feature for sleep or relaxation, enrich the comfort and space in three distinct zones, a unique feature in the super mid-size category. Noise abatement improvements enhance cabin sound proofing, and auxiliary audio input makes cabin sound integration possible. The galley now has more spacious compartments, retractable tables and a larger water reservoir for more convenient in-flight service. Optional items include a wine chiller and multiple oven combinations, including microwave. The baggage compartment is equipped with supports for storage of miscellaneous items, such as the tow bar.

Malta: Not just an island in sun

Malta is a small island in the centre of the Mediterranean having a population of less than 400,000 people, famous for its sun, sea, history and culture, but not just. Joined the European Union in 2004 and at the start of 2008 became part of the Eurozone as Malta adopted the Euro. As the manufacturing industry sought greener pastures in Eastern Europe and the Far East, and with the emerging tourist markets again in Eastern Europe giving Malta a good run for its money, Malta had to seek alternative sectors wherefrom to attract foreign investment. An island bereft of any natural resources, except for maybe its weather, Malta betted on the service industry, especially in Information and Communication industries. One such success was becoming the first European country to offer a licence to online gambling sites, similarly with the yacht register and call centres. Malta has two major advantages on the rest of Europe; a. its tax infrastructure and b. the language. The former was an important part of Malta’s negotiation for the accession into the EU, whereby the Maltese government based on the island’s socio/economic standing with respect to the rest of the EU successfully negotiated a very favourable tax rate for foreign investment in the island, where in effect a foreign shareholder was taxed at only 5% on the revenue. The latter being the language, which Malta wisely had after its independence from the UK in 1964, kept the English language as its national language together with Maltese, which means that all of Malta’s laws are in both Maltese and English and the whole population is fluent in the English language. Which brings us to what to date is probably one of Malta’s best kept secrets. Sierra Aviation, the islands only dedicated business aviation company, realised that Malta was sitting on a gold mine. As the business jet owners community continued to increase on the European continent, and with ever stringent regulations for the operation of such business jets especially in Europe, Malta gives the opportunity to business jet owners to register their aircraft, management companies to obtain world recognised JAA/EASA operating licence from an English speaking EU country, with a 5% tax rate and double taxation with agreements with most EU countries, low labour cost, and amongst the lowest authority fees in Europe. With support of the Maltese Government, and the Department of Civil Aviation, Stanley Bugeja CEO of Sierra Aviation reckons that it is only a matter of time before Malta would become renowned for the safest, yet cheapest business jet operating licence infrastructure in Europe. Malta should have the first non Maltese owned but Maltese registered aircraft and operating licences as early as the first half of 2008. If you are a business jet owner, Malta offers probably the best European tax infrastructure and lest we forget best weather all year round in Europe.