JET AVIATION GROUP: 1515 Perimeter Road, West Palm Beach, Florida 33406, United States; Phone (561) 233-7233; Fax (561) 2337222; Http://www. jetaviation. com; Code PP; Year Founded 1967.
The world’s only global business aviation service company, JAG begins at Basel, Switzerland, in 1967 when Carl W. Hirschman takes over the Globe Air hangar and sets up his own concern. Two years later, Hirschman is able to acquire the maintenance and handling facilities of the aircraft manufacturer Pilatus, A. G. at Geneva and Zurich.
JAG enters the aircraft charter and management business in 1972, operating executive and small group passenger flights with two Learjet 24s and a North American Sabreliner 75. The first step in an eventual encirclement of the world takes place in 1975 when the carrier takes over a maintenance base in Dusseldorf, Germany. During the next 20 years, the company will also acquire FBOs at Munich, Saarbrucken, Hanover, Kassel, and Cologne. Company headquarters are shifted to Zurich.
Two years later the company begins to diversify further, undertaking not only maintenance, repair, avionics support, and ground handling, but business aircraft outfitting and refurbishment as well. In 1979, JAG forms a partnership with a group of Saudi businessmen and opens a handling facility at Jeddah for both corporate and private aircraft.
The expanding service concern enters the U. S. market in 1982 by opening a small office in Washington, D. C. Over the next six years, it acquires FBOs (and their in-house charter operations) at Bedford, Boston, and West Palm Beach, Florida. Six years later, in 1988, the company scores a major coup, taking over the large Aero Services FBO based at Teterboro, New Jersey, as well as EAF Charter, the largest U. S. charter operation, which is located in the same city. The latter is reformed into Jet Aviation Business Jets, Inc.
Thomas M. Hirschmann succeeds his father as chairman/CEO in 1990. In one of the first major east and west joint aviation ventures, Swiss Metro Cargo, A. G. is established at Lugano in August. Private Swiss investors associated with Metropolitan Aviation, also based at Lugano, join with the Siberian directorate of Aeroflot Soviet Airlines to provide international cargo charters.
Mario Calmai is named chairman with Shimon Lahav as managing director; they begin revenue services employing 8 Ilyushin Il-76s and 1
Antonov An-12 contributed by the Soviets. Operational services for the new entrant are provided by Zurich-based Jet Aviation Business Jets, A. G. (JABJ), under a contract that requires Metro to pay for each flight in advance.
Operations continue without incident until May 1991 . During that month, Metro Cargo delays its payments to JABJ as well as its aircraft lease payments to Aeroflot. At the beginning of June, the Soviets, owed $7 million, request that the authorities in Canton Ticino freeze Metro Cargo’s bank accounts. Unfunded, Metro Cargo suspends operations while a criminal investigation is launched.
With Metro Cargo finished, the Soviets turn to JABJ to establish another joint operation, Jet Air Cargo, A. G., which will lease and employ, briefly, three Il-76s.
In October, JAG’s corporate headquarters are transferred to West Palm Beach in Florida. The move is taken as part of the company’s globalization plan, while emphasizing the large U. S. market. On the other hand, the three facilities (JABJ; Jet Aviation Zurich, A. G.; and Jet Aviation Handling, A. G.) at Zurich will continue to employ some 500 workers, the largest number in any corporate location.
Once in the U. S., JAG is reformed and divided into regional operations centers. A new Office of the Chairman is established, comprised of chairman Hirschmann plus Terrance P. Kelley, president/chief operating officer in the U. S., and Heinz Kohli, president/chief operating officer for Europe, the Mideast, and the Far East.
During the mid-1990s, the company continues to develop support facilities around the world. New operations begin at Moscow, Lugano, and Caracas overseas and, in the U. S., at Burbank, San Jose, Chicago, Newark, Morristown, and Nashville. Other U. S. cities include Jackson, Wyoming, Leesburg, Virginia, Rochester, White Plains, and Ronkon-koma, New York, Warwick, Pontiac, and Waterford, Michigan, and Westfield, Massachusetts.
In 1993, JAG wins the right to handle not only charter flights but the scheduled carriers arriving at Zurich and Geneva as well. Among the airlines handled are Air France, Deutsche Lufthansa, A. G., Air U. K., Ltd., and United Airlines.
Early in 1996, the concern moves into the Pacific, opening a base at Singapore. In September, the charter and aircraft management firm of K-C Aviation, third largest in the U. S., is acquired.
In 1997-1999, JAG has over 1,560 employees worldwide and operates the largest fleet of corporate and private jets and helicopters in the world, some 145 aircraft, ranging in size from Douglas DC-8-72s to Sikorsky S-76 helicopters. Planning and reservations for this huge complement is arranged at two international coordination centers at Zurich and Teterboro.
Early in 2000, Jet Aviation Group completes the remodeling of a new regional hub at Dallas (DAL), which was acquired to meet increased southwestern demand for charter services and aircraft sales. Purchased from another concern, the company’s new facilities include a 62,000-sq.-ft. hangar space and 103,000-sq.-ft. ramp area, from which 17 business aircraft are operated.
JET BUSINESS AIRLINES, N. V.: Brussels National Airport, Za-ventem, B-1930, Belgium; Year Founded 1989. JBA is set up at Brussels National Airport in 1989 as a subsidiary of the German Aeroleas-ing Deutschland, GmbH. Mme. van de Busch is appointed managing director and she initiates and continues executive passenger and air express charters with 4 Learjet 35A Century IIIs.
JET CARGO, N. V.: Building 70, Suite 138, Schiphol Airport East, Amsterdam, NL-1117, The Netherlands; Phone 31 (20) 601-5811; Fax 31 (20) 601-0057; Code JCL; Year Founded 1988. Jet Cargo is established at Amsterdam in 1988 to provide long-haul, nonscheduled passenger and freight services to international destinations. Revenue services commence and continue with 1 each Boeing 707-321B and B-707-309C. The B-707-321B is withdrawn in 1993.
The privately owned concern continues to offer ad hoc all-cargo flights in 1994-2000 to destinations in Africa, the Mideast, and Europe.
JET CHARTER INTERNATIONAL: 200 Ocean Trail Way, No. 606, Jupiter, Florida 33477, United States; Phone (561) 743-3210; Fax (561) 743-8389; Year Founded 1992. Bruce A. Shinneman sets up JCI at Opa Locka Airport in Florida in 1992 to provide executive and small group passenger charters worldwide. By 2000, the company employs four pilots and bases its three executive jets at three different airports. A Dassault Falcon 10 is stationed in Florida, while another is based at Vail, Colorado, and a third at Chicago (MDW).
JET CHARTER SERVICE: United States (1979-1988). This privately owned supplemental air carrier is founded at Miami in August 1979 to operate domestic and worldwide passenger and freight charters and inclusive-tour services. Three Boeing 707-320Cs, including a Dash-329C first flown by Sabena Belgium World Airlines, S. A., are acquired and the first charter is flown in December 1981 between Miami and Caracas via Central America under the name Jet 24 International Airways. All passenger services flown in 1982 are subcontracts offered on behalf of Air Florida, Jet America Airlines, and several other carriers.
The company receives its own passenger authority in 1983 and is able to initiate charters under its Jet 24 name. Two Douglas DC-10-40s are acquired by charter in 1984 and operate inclusive-tour flights from Miami to San Juan, Bogota, Madrid, Paris, and Zurich.
Operations continue apace in 1985 and beginning on May 18 a scheduled return service is flown from Miami to Madrid via San Juan. This schedule is withdrawn on June 3 as the entire airline loses money. In August, the company ceases operations and files for Chapter XI bankruptcy reorganization. Plans are made to reintroduce transatlantic services.
In 1986, working with the FAA, the company is able to regain its operating certificates, choosing not to fly again under the name Jet 24 International Airways.
In March, a former American Airlines B-747-123 is leased from Citicorp and employed to offer inclusive-tour flights from New York (JFK) to Madrid. The Jumbojet is returned in June and released to Cargolux Airlines International, S. A.
The fleet is expanded over the next 2 years by the addition of 2 more leased DC-10-40s and the workforce grows to 150. An effort is made to win DOT approval for renewed scheduled service to Madrid, Paris, and Zurich, but permission is not forthcoming. Unable to generate sufficient traffic to remain financially healthy, JCS shuts its doors in 1988.
JET CITY (PTY.), LTD.: Melbourne Airport, Cargo Road, Tulla-marine, Victoria, 3045, Australia; Phone 61 3-93301555; Fax 61 3-93303969; Year Founded 1989. Jet City is established at Tullamarine in 1989 to provide executive and small group passenger and cargo charters. By 2000, Managing Director Lorne Cole oversees the work of 9 full-time pilots and the operations of 1 each Beech 55 Baron, Gulf-stream G-1159C Gulfstream IV, and Learjet 35A Century III.
JET CONNECTION BUSINESS FLIGHT, A. G.: Flughafen Frankfurt am Main, Gebaude 514, Frankfurt, D-60549, Germany; Phone 49 (69) 6959-1225; Fax 49 (69) 6959-1224; Year Founded 1997. JCBF is set up at Frankfurt in 1997 to offer executive and small group passenger charters worldwide. Flights commence and continue with a pair of Learjet 55 Longhorns.
JET EAST: 7363 Cedar Springs Road, Dallas, Texas 75235, United States; Phone (214) 350-8523; Fax (214) 358-7641; Year Founded 1975. Beginning as the air taxi and FBO aviation support operation, Jet East, Inc., at Dallas’ Love Field in 1975, this concern establishes an airline division and begins to operate charter and worldwide contract service flights with Beech King Airs and Gates Learjets in 1980.
By 1984 , the airline division, known as Jet East International, has a number of clients but its principal customer is UPS (United Parcel Service), for which it flies 5 Boeing 727-100s. Jet East also operates a B-727-100, a Cessna Citation, and a Beech Super King Air 200 under its original name and among the regions visited are Alaska, Canada, the Caribbean, South and Central America, the U. S., and Europe.
During 1985, the Texas airline flies 1,000 passengers, but more importantly for its bottom line, 24.5 million FTKs. Atotal of 63.55 million ton-kilometers of cargo are flown in 1986. In 1987, the airline division, Jet East International, is split off and becomes a subsidiary of Wilkert and Wilkert and is renamed Express One International.
With its airline division sold, Jet East continues to offer worldwide passenger charter services. By 2000, the company is flying 1 each Cessna 560 Citation V, Dassault Falcon 20, and Learjet 35A.
JET EAST INTERNATIONAL: United States (1980-1988). Beginning as the air taxi and FBO aviation support operation, Jet East, Inc. at Dallas’ Love Field in 1975, this concern establishes an airline division and begins to operate charter and worldwide contract service flights with Beech King Airs and Gates Learjets in 1980.
By 1984, the unit, known as Jet East International, has a number of clients but its principal customer is UPS (United Parcel Service), for which it flies 5 Boeing 727-100s. Jet East also operates a B-727-100, a Cessna Citation, and a Beech Super King Air 200 under its original name and among the regions visited are Alaska, Canada, the Caribbean, South and Central America, the U. S., and Europe.
During 1985, the Texas airline flies 1,000 passengers, but more importantly for its bottom line, 24.5 million FTKs.
Atotal of 63.55 million ton-kilometers of cargo are flown in 1986. In 1987, Jet East International, Jet East s airline division, is split off and becomes a subsidiary of Wilkert and Wilkert and is renamed Express One International.
JET EUROPE, S. A.: France (1990-1991). JE is set up at Paris in the summer of 1990 to operate scheduled passenger and cargo services to Valence on behalf of Europe Aero Service, S. A. Although Aerospatiale Sud Est SE-210 Caravelle XB frequencies are inaugurated during the summer, they are only maintained for a year.
JET EXPRESS: United States (1987-1993). Ken Carlson organizes JE at Atlantic City, New Jersey, in late 1987 to operate regional commuter services with a staff of 20.
In early 1988, Carlson places orders for three CASA C-212-200 Avio-cars and following receipt of the first, flights are inaugurated to various northeastern U. S. destinations.
Enplanements for the first full year total 13,253 (a 67.9% increase) and revenues reach $689,363. The operating profit is $6,913.
Negotiations are successfully completed by early spring 1989 allowing the carrier to serve as a “TWExpress” code-sharing partner of Trans World Airlines (TWA). Simultaneously, two additional Aviocars join the fleet and service is inaugurated to Washington, D. C. (DCA).
Following its purchase by Smith Air Express, the company’s headquarters are moved to Norfolk, Virginia, on July 17, 1990, but no further details of the year are publicized.
The fleet in 1991 includes 1 Aviocar and 5 Fairchild Metro IIIs. In May, the company declares Chapter XI bankruptcy and switches affiliations, becoming a “USAir Express” partner. On October 1, thrice-daily Metro III flights commence from Washington, D. C. to Richmond, Virginia.
A total of 14,162 passengers are transported by year’s end.
Early in 1992, a reorganization plan is filed. Under its own banner, the company now employs its four Metro IIIs to inaugurate services to New York (LGA) from Groton, Connecticut, and Atlantic City.
Customer bookings shoot up to 100,319.
The fleet in 1993 is increased to 5 Metro IIIs (2 out of service) and 3 chartered CASA C-212-100 Aviocars. In the fall, the company’s owners purchase the name of defunct Midway Airlines and assume its identity as Midway Airlines (2).
JET FLEET INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES: United States (19701992). The Jet Fleet Corporation is established at Dallas’ Love Field in 1970 to provide executive charter and contract service flights to U. S. destinations, as well as locations in the Caribbean, Central and South America. Over the next decade, branch bases are set up at Washington, D. C. (DCA), Teterboro, New Jersey, Shreveport, Midland, and Houston.
In 1984, the carrier obtains government authority for the inauguration of scheduled operations by a new subsidiary to be known as Jet Fleet International Airlines. Although the airline is formed, only charter and contract services are performed.
The fleet in 1985 includes 2 Cessna Citations, 1 Grumman Gulf-stream II, and 1 British Aerospace BAe (BAC) 1-11-401. A total of
3.000 passengers are flown during the year. Operations continue apace over the remainder of the decade.
In 1990, the fleet has come to comprise 1 each Gates Learjet 25/ Learjet 35, British Aerospace Jetstream 31, Grumman Gulfstream II, Cessna Conquest, BAC-111-401, and 3 Cessna Citations.
The operator now begins to report its traffic figures to the DOT, with
11.000 boardings the initial statistic. Revenues are $1.04 million, expenses are $891,000, and the operating profit is $150,000. Net gain reaches $158,000.
Enplanements advance to 20,000 in 1991 and the year is profitable. Revenues climb 28.5% to $1.1 million, but costs are also up, forcing operating income down to $77,733 and net gain to $79,192.
Unable to maintain its fiscal viability, the carrier ceases operations in 1992.
JET FRET, S. A.: France (1991-1993). JF is established at Paris in 1991 to provide charter cargo and contract service flights to domestic and African destinations. Services begin with a single Lockheed L-382G Hercules leased from Safair Freighters (Pty.), Ltd. of South Africa. A Douglas DC-8-71F is chartered in 1992, but unable to maintain viability due to the recession, the one-plane operation ends in 1993.
JET LINK: United States (1990). JL is established at Houston, Texas, on April 15, 1990, as the temporary corporate umbrella employed by Continental Airlines to coordinate the regional airline operations of its new subsidiaries, Rocky Mountain Airlines, Bar Harbor Airlines, and Britt Airways. The new group’s equipment is upgraded through the provision of British Aerospace BAe Jetstream 31s and Avions de Transport Regional ATR42-300s. The organization is reformed into Continental Express on August 16.
JET LINK HOLLAND, B. V.: Jupiterstr 51, Hoofddorp, 2132, The Netherlands; Phone 31 (23) 562 4560; Fax 31 (23) 562 4059; Code JLH; Year Founded 1998. JLH is established at Amsterdam in the spring of 1998 to offer all-cargo charters around the globe. Abdul Messeh is president/CEO and he places orders with C-Aviation for a pair of Airbus Industrie A300B4-203Fs.
The first wide-body freighter is delivered on July 27 and enters service on routes to the Mideast and North Africa in September.
Flights continue without headline or incident in 1999. The second Airbus cargo plane arrives in November. Only one A300B4-203F is operated by the end of 2000.
JET SOURCE: 2036 Palomar Airport Road, Carlsbad, California, 92008, United States; Phone (760) 804-1500; Fax (760) 804-1515; Year Founded 1987. Douglas Jacobson establishes this concern at Carlsbad in 1987 to provide executive and small group passenger charters throughout the U. S. and Canada. Thirteen years later, he is flying a Learjet 35A Century III from McClellan-Palomar Airport and another from Van Nuys.
JET SUL CARGO, LTDA.: Aeroporto Internacional Afonso Pena, Hangar Jet Sol, Sao Jose dos Pinhais, 83010-620, Brazil; Phone (41) 381-1500; Fax (41) 381-1505; Http://wwwjetsul. com; Year Founded 2000. A new cargo division of the FBO Jet Sul is established on April 28, 2000. Arrangements are made with TAM (Transportes Aereos
Regionais, S. A.) for the purchase of two Fokker F.27-600s as the necessary certification paperwork is completed with the government’s civil aviation agency.
The first Fokker enters revenue service on August 9. The second turboprop is leased to TAVAJ (Transportes Aereos Regulares, S. A.).
World History
