Air X Aviation announced Sept. 15, Darren Banham as AirX America president as part of its strategic launch in the Western Hemisphere. Darren has been a leading broker in the industry for many years. His impressive trading record and management brings a wealth of experience to AirX.
Joining the AirX America team are some familiar faces to the air cargo and passenger air charter industry some of whom are previous brokers from world recognized charter specialists; David Livingstone, Jack Burt, Peter Obre, Simon Edwards, Daniel Frisch and Jose Torres. Collectively, these individuals bring together vast experience and knowledge from all aspects of the industry specializing in VIP transportation throughout North, Central and South America, cargo operations (including ad hoc and large-scale humanitarian cargo charter operations for international aid agencies, governments, and other aid providers) and narrow and wide body aircraft tours.
Heading up marketing and public relations activities will be Roberto Berrios who brings years of experience in business development, networking and media relations throughout the Americas.
Today marks the beginning of a strategic approach to capture the seasonal and non-seasonal travel cycles in the aviation industry. AirX opened its Fort Lauderdale office, and is preparing for the launch of the executive jets and airliners fleet that will add to an existing line of luxury jetliners and highly demanded freighters.
AirX has purchased a stake in Via Airlines, a Part 121 operator of larger aircraft; and Elite Aircraft Management, a Part 135 operator of standard VIP charter operating approval. It is rare to have a company that is in possession of both licences, so much so that these companies can be counted on one hand.
John B. Mathews, chairman of AirX said “The process of completing this agreement has been ongoing for many months with regards to negotiations and the setup of such entities. Joining myself in the shareholding group of Via are 3 other parties, one of whom is in the top 20 aircraft leasing companies in the world. With the combined expertise of the shareholders, we will produce a company that will set a new standard of aircraft operation in America.”
Elite Air will become AirX America and begin the operation of Challenger 850s, Citation Xs and Gulfstream IVSPs, all of which will have brand new interiors throughout including repaint, lower and upper sidewall, new seats, divan, re-stained wood work and the latest Airshow, together with internet and USB charging ports. Mr. Mathews also stated that “we are going to bring the AirX quality of operation over to the United States of America and establish our own My Flight department, the quality of which has become renowned throughout the industry. We will enhance our end of flight reports, along with various volume discount incentives for brokers.”
Matthews is delighted, and proud to be able to announce AirX entering into the operational theatre of the USA. The present state of the charter industry in the USA is dysfunctional and at times unreliable. An opportunity for AirX to bring a high level of customer service, reliability and unmatched quality of service.
Over the next 15 months, AirX America fleet will grow to around 10 aircraft. The Citation Xs will begin to service the coast to coast market; the Gulfstream IVSPs will set a new price low in transatlantic travel and the Challenger 850s will be servicing the 5hr radius from our hubs in New York and LA.
With regards to the operation of Via Airlines, we will be mirroring our VIP A340 onto the larger certificate and producing both VIP and 737 Freighters, which will have dual role and the ability to change from the 9H-YES Bentley style interior to the 120/148 economy seat interior, depending on ACMI and Tour Operator contracts.
In addition, we will be growing our fleet of Embraer 145s at Via, of which we presently have 6, whilst continuing to service the EAS routes that we have recently negotiated with the government. These contracts already cover our break even requirement whilst AirX/Via offers hub and spoke transfers at costs no other carrier can match.
The first commercial aircraft will be a Challenger 850, which will be online by the end of September along with the Citation Xs and Gulfstream IVSPs. Both are presently in our joint venture facility in Great Falls going through internal refurbishment and respray.
My goal as Matthew says is to stop this seasonal cycle, I may not have managed to stop this process in the coming winter, however in the long term these moves I am making will put an end to the “winter of discontent”. I also aim to allow us to wet lease our European aircraft with our EASA crew into America during our European winters to take advantage of the American peak.
The goal of AirX America is to become a major player in the American charter market by securing a safer and better future for its staff by amazingly reducing capital expenditures and operating costs as its expansion is underway.
In addition to AirX America operations, Florida acquisitions and the new office location in the USA, AirX is honoured to announce that Mr. Chris Chapman and Carol Norman have been appointed as brand ambassadors.
Chris and Carol have an impressive legacy within the industry, having set up the biggest broker house in aviation history with revenues north of $800 million. We are thrilled to have both Chris and Carol join the AirX team as the organization expands to become a truly global company diversifying in each aspect of aviation.
Today also sees the approval of our call sign "Legend". As our new brand ambassador Chris Chapman eloquently put it – "The legend lives!”
