Blue Jet of Warsaw, Poland, has signed a contract to manage a Global Express, which it is currently converting for EASA operations. The company hopes to operate the aircraft as of June 2014, and it will be managed for a private owner. Ceo Jakub Benke explains that this system has proved a successful means of doing business in central Europe: “In Poland and in this part of Europe, it's very difficult to buy or lease your own aircraft and make it economically viable if you charter. What we are trying to do is win private owners to manage their aircraft, and if possible to use them for charter. This is the most successful model for us at the moment.”

Benke says that owners are especially pleased with the returns they are seeing: “We have owners who are seeing the benefits of the co-operation, meaning that the money is flowing from us to them, not the other way round. But obviously we are not paying for the leasing or financing or any other incurred costs, for example depreciation, which is the biggest burden in this business.”

Blue Jet's mixed fleet is made up of two Challengers, one Global, three Legacies and three Cessnas. The operator has been active for nine years and most of the owners it has attracted so far are from Poland. Benke affirms that it is now the number one choice in the region, with two hangars both large enough to fit three Globals, plus an advanced maintenance division. He says that they are the 'obvious choice' in Poland. “We are now starting to attract customers from other countries too, mainly Russia,” he continues. “But you need the contacts and you need to make a start. You need to have a first aircraft for other owners to trust you and that is how we are winning at the moment.”

The operator is starting to build a strong reputation among brokers in Russia; the first Legacy was acquired from Moscow and the owner is said to be very happy with the service.

Benke now hopes that more Russian clients will be tempted to conduct their business in Poland: “If you look at Blue Jet in the context of other operators in Europe, we are certainly a high quality choice at a reasonable price. Our cost base is much lower than other markets, mainly due to lower costs of labour.

“I think we are a very attractive choice for private jet owners from around Europe, it's just a question of time when people will start trusting us. Poland is not necessarily a country where you would expect to meet a professional business jet company, so we are fighting stereotypes to some extent.”

As to 2014, Benke highlights that the first target will be to play 'catch-up' in terms of personnel to match the new aircraft entering the fleet, while maintaining high standards of quality. He will also look to sell effectively on the market, with lots of hours available.

Despite his enthusiasm for the arrival of the Global Express, he does warn of the difficulties of selling hours on an aircraft as large as this one: “It is always a challenge with the largest aircraft and it is no different with the Express. The good thing is we already have another one of the type in the fleet so we have the experienced pilots and mechanics, and we are experienced in worldwide operations.”

He is anticipating more Russian arrivals: “I hope that the first owner and the first aircraft we have acquired will draw others, purely because he is very happy with the service, I am 100 per cent convinced of that.

“He is already paying much less than he used to when his aircraft was operated by a western company. Being transparent and trusted is what we are providing.”