Business jet operator DC Aviation, based in Stuttgart, has acquired the Swiss boutique jet provider Jet-Link, located in Zurich.

“We look forward to working closely with the Jet-Link team in the future. It has been very successful in holding its own on the Swiss market for over two decades now, and has earned an outstanding reputation with both charter customers and aircraft owners,” says Michael Kuhn, ceo of DC Aviation.

“This expansion venture is in perfect harmony with the growth objectives of DC Aviation as well as the desire of the company to react to market requirements with the greatest possible flexibility.”

Hanspeter Candrian, founder and ceo of Jet-Link, is delighted with the development: “With quality standards of the highest level, the two companies complement each other perfectly. Of course, a solid corporate strategy must also include a focus on further development. Together with DC Aviation, we can reach the goals we have set and perfectly project our core values of ‘Made in Germany’ and ‘Swiss Precision’ on our target markets,” he says.

Marc Ambrosius, cfo of DC Aviation and member of the supervisory board of Jet-Link Holding since 2012, highlights in particular the broad international base of the DC Aviation brand. “In addition to its joint venture in Dubai, this acquisition has enabled DC Aviation to also establish itself in the important Zurich financial centre, and the company is now in a position to offer its international customers the additional option of a Swiss home base.”

As well as expanding its market position, DC Aviation says that the acquisition is designed to expand the company’s performance and service portfolio, and to provide an enlarged pool of experience, highly qualified employees, and extensive knowledge in all areas of business aviation.

DC Aviation has more than 330 employees, and says it is the largest provider of business jets in Germany. Its fleet ranges from the Learjet 40, to medium-haul and long-haul jets such as the Gulfstream G450/G550, to its four vvip Airbus 319 CJs. It is wholly owned by ATON GmbH, a holding company that, along with various other companies, deals in raw materials, services, and related technologies.

Jet-Link AG is a private Swiss airline company located close to the Zurich airport. It was founded in 1990 by Swissair pilot Candrian and his wife Helen. It started up initial operations under the name of Heli-Link AG and provided helicopter flights for the rapidly growing business aviation market. In 1997, the increased demand for an expanded range of offerings led to the formation of Jet-Link AG.