Luxembourg-based business aviation company Luxaviation has merged with FairJets GmbH, retaining a majority stake, to create a business aviation group with a fleet of 17 jets.

Following the merger, FairJets will continue to operate from Paderborn, and Luxaviation from Luxembourg. "The staff of both companies will be retained in order to allow the sharing of competencies and best practices and to have a healthy basis for future growth," a spokesperson says.

Both entities will keep their AOC's in their respective countries so that aircraft can be registered in Germany or in Luxembourg, according to the requirements of the financing banks and the aircraft owners.

"We are very proud to be able to work closely with the FairJets team that has managed to quickly become one of the biggest business aviation operators in Germany and that has an excellent reputation with clients, banks and aircraft owners. This investment is absolutely in line with Luxaviation's objective to grow and to build a safe and profitable business aviation company providing an excellent service to a European clientele," says Patrick Hansen, ceo of Luxaviation.

"Our business models are complementary and so are our markets and competencies," confirms Dr Dirk Bruse, ceo of FairJets. "We have traditionally been very strong in the German market and attractive to aircraft owners while Luxaviation has developed a fantastic sales network throughout Europe, thus enabling both companies to better match demand and fleet capacity."

Maintenance and training facilities will be combined to provide increased flexibility of operations, reduced costs and greater quality control. Luxaviation will decide whether these investments will be made in Luxembourg or in Paderborn, depending on factors such as finance and the availability of space at the respective airports.