Fractional fleet operator Flexjet, part of the Directional Aviation family, has been awarded an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) for Malta, as it continues to expand its European operation.
The move marks an important milestone in the company’s international expansion plan, which has seen its fleet of aircraft grow in Europe by 40% alone in 2021.
Flexjet’s new Malta Operational Centre, situated in the heart of Sliema, complements its existing European headquarters in London’s Mayfair; Tactical Control Centre in St Albans, UK; and its aircraft maintenance facility based in Milan, Italy.
The company states that the new AOC gives Flexjet “more operational reach as it extends its offering to a growing number of European Owners and premium programme clients”.
The fractional fleet operator has selected an Embraer Legacy 500 as the first aircraft to operate under the new registration. The midsize jet offers a range of up to 5,793 km, or around six hours flight time.
Flexjet also operates Embraer Praetor 600 super-midsize jets with the ability to fly directly to the East Coast of the US and the Middle East.
Marine Eugène, Flexjet European Managing Director, said: “Flexjet Owners are flying an increasing variety of routes within Europe and beyond, and our Maltese AOC allows us more reach and additional operational flexibility.
“I am also delighted to establish our new regional Operational Centre within the professional Maltese aviation community, which will undoubtedly prove an important asset as we continue to grow Flexjet throughout Europe.
“Our first 9H-registration for Flexjet is an important milestone, and one that we plan to build upon over the coming months.”