Big Business Jet

Greenpoint Technologies Makes Personnel Changes

Matt — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 09:34:34 +0000

Greenpoint Technologies (a sponsor of this blog and a premier VIP completions center for Boeing Business Jets) has added 2 new execs and promoted a third due to growing demand: Tim Pahls was hired as Vice President of Programs,and Ken Kummerow as Senior Director of Engineering; and Jim Baltrukovicz was promoted to Director of Program Management.

Scott Goodey, Greenpoint Technologies CEO and President, says:

“We are confident in the leadership these individuals provide our team as we position ourselves to keep pace with growing demand. Their passion and customer-focused work ethic fits perfectly with our culture of delivering high quality interior products on-time.”

Proposed Airport Slot Changes

Matt — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 09:14:58 +0000

Euractiv.com dishes on the controversy surrounding the European Commission’s attempt to make changes to slot assignments at European airports. The change will affect how airlines and business jet operators get seasonal landing rights by opening up slots to international bidding. An industry group representing business flight services contends these services would be hard hit because they do not fly regularly to airports.

Space is Tight at Hong Kong Airport

Matt — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:08:35 +0000

Charlotte So of China Business Watch passes on a warning from private jet operators that “Hong Kong will lose out to Shenzhen if it ignores the acute shortage of aircraft parking space at Chek Lap Kok.” When Chek Lap Kok’s Business Aviation Centre (BAC) opened, there were just two business jets registered in the city. Now that number is 50 and space is becoming limited.

Wyn Li, director of marketing and client relations for Metrojet, one of Asia’s largest private jet operators, says:

“Sometimes we have to park our clients’ jets on the tarmac between the two runways at the far end of the airport island. It takes several hours to tow aircraft back to BAC for take-off.”

One business jet operator found itself taking 3 days to complete an 8 hour maintenance job because it couldn’t find an open bay at the airport.

Looking for a Room in Indianapolis for Super Bowl Weekend?

Matt — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:53:08 +0000

It will cost you plenty, according to Joe Sharkey for the New York Times. If you’re thinking of taking your private jet to Indinapolis for the Super Bowl, and you don’t have a room yet, take a look at these prices:

“As of last Friday, you could still find a scarce hotel room for this weekend in Indianapolis, at the budget Best Inn — for $898.99 a night, according to Travelocity.com…Late Monday afternoon on Travelocity, that Best Inn room was down to $889.94 for the whole weekend. And the Days Hotel near the airport, which usually goes for $47 a night, suddenly became available — at $1,840 for two nights.”

Odyssey Aerospace Components Makes Changes

Matt — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:29:16 +0000

Odyssey Aerospace Components, LLC (parent company Greenpoint Technologies is a sponsor of this blog) is increasing engineering capacity and enriching corporate infrastructure to better serve customers, in line with Greenpoint’s emphasis on transparency and on-time deliveries. Odyssey has a 98.9% on-time delivery record, which is unique in the industry.

The State of Business Aviation in the Middle East

Matt — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:20:30 +0000

Charles Alcock from AIN Online reports that “business aviation in the Middle East is expected to keep growing at a faster rate than that seen in North America and Europe, but slower than the more dynamic expansion now being seen in the emerging markets of Asia.”

Alcock goes on to say that based on information from Bombardier ”the Middle East will receive 1,175 new business jets between 2011 and 2030, with 410 to be delivered through 2020 and a further 765 between 2021 and 2030. This represents a compound annual growth rate of 7 percent–less than half the 18-percent increase that was achieved in the market between 2004 and 2010.”

Information from Honeywell supports the assertion, with purchase expectations down for the next 5 years.

New Chef in the Sky Service

Matt — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 10:57:32 +0000

Looking for some gourmet meals cooked on your private jet? Terry Spruce from Corporate Jet Investor reports that Alison Price on Air is launching a new service called ‘Chef in the Sky’. With the service, you can get a personal chef on your private flight to cook your meals, and even complimentary sommelier service with their wine list. Chef in the Sky is available immediately on all private heavy jet flights including the Boeing Business Jet and the Airbus ACJ from all London Airports, and will eventually expand to additional private and charter flights from London.

Daniel Hulme, director of in-flight services at Alison Price On Air, said:

“We’re aiming to create the ultimate on-board catering product. This is the first time that anyone has offered such a service and the offering is part of our continual aim to provide clients with a wide range of options when it comes to their in-flight catering experience. We anticipate that Chef in the Sky will appeal to corporations, private owners of the heavy jet airliners such as the BBJs, ACJs, and VIP charter companies.”

Greenpoint Set to Deliver First 747-8 Aeroloft Kit

Matt — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 10:08:20 +0000

Aerospace manufacturer Greenpoint Products and Services (a sponsor of this blog) is experiencing 100% growth as they prepare to deliver the first 747-8 Aeroloft™ kit in early 2012. It will be the first post-delivery components installed on the new VIP 747-8 airplanes.

Tim Abuhl, Director of Operations, said:

“We doubled our workforce and dramatically increased production in the past year. Business is steady. The team is fabricating interiors for multiple Boeing Business Jets (BBJ) including sidewall, ceiling and valance panels as well as structural components.”

Royal Jet Expands to Jordan

Matt — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 09:28:16 +0000

Royal Jet has signed an agreement with Takhzeen Aerospace as part of its entry into the Jordanian market, according to Arabian Aerospace.

Ammar Balkar, managing partner of Takhzeen Aerospace, said:

“Royal Jet is a perfect fit for Jordan’s senior business travellers and this opportunity will allow us to expand our services and become a leader in the fast-growing luxury and leisure travel industry. At the same time, it will address emergency medical requirements and provide a wide choice of medical ambulance facilities to the Jordanian community during medical emergencies. “

The current fleet of Royal Jet consists of six Boeing Business Jets (BBJ); two mid-range Gulfstream 300s; a long-range Gulfstream IVSP; a Lineage 1000 and a Learjet 60.

VIP Takes Delivery of First Boeing 747-8

Matt — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 09:11:42 +0000

Steve Wilhelm of the Puget Sound Business Journal says the first delivery of Boeing’s largest jet, the 747-8 Intercontinental, was to a VIP customer.

“That means it’s secret, because most people who can afford an entire 747-8 (that’s a $332 million list price just for the plane, another $100 million or more for the interior) don’t want to be public.”

The Journal goes on to mention one company that develops such interiors is Kirkland, WA-based Greenpoint Technologies (a sponsor of this blog).