ASL has signed a merger agreement with JetNetherlands which it says will cement its position as Benelux's largest business jet operator, and one of the largest in Europe. The company, which was founded in 1997, is headquartered in Belgium and has also had an office in Eindhoven since 2012. The holding company it has formed with JetNetherlands is to be named JetNet Alliance Group.

“If you want to continue in this market, you have to constantly move along and anticipate future develop-ments,” comments ASL founder and director Philippe Bodson. “By pooling knowledge and strengths we can do more for our customers and meet European regulations, which takes up increasing amounts of time and knowledge.”

JetNetherlands was founded in 2001. The company has grown steadily to a fleet of 14 aircraft despite the recent economic conditions. Its main office is located at Amsterdam Schiphol Oost and it has additional offices in Rotterdam and Eindhoven airport. Director Marcel Groeskamp says the two companies have a shared vision: “We have a parallel customer philosophy, and a belief in quality and collaboration which will enable us to successfully move forward together in the future.”

The group anticipates that the complex European regulations and market trends in the coming years will leave less room for smaller players.

ASL and JetNetherlands will still stay independent and will operate under two AOCs: Belgian and Dutch.

The services of the companies are diverse, ranging from business flights, medical and repatriation flights, organ transport, carriage of cargo and dangerous goods, tv and radio relay for races, and ski flights.

JetNet Alliance will operate a fleet of more than 30 aircraft including King Airs, Avantis, Citations, Falcon 2000s, Challenger 605s and Legacy 600s, with a capacity ranging from four to 20 passengers. The jets will be based at airports across Belgium and the Netherlands, Over 100 staff will be working for the group, including 65 pilots. ASL has just taken on a Sovereign+, which you can read about on page 7.

Project manager at ASL Maxime Wauters says that the company is following a trend for mergers between private jet companies in Europe: “I think it is a common move in the industry right now to gather different companies, and get their forces together to meet the rising demand. We have seen Abelag, one of our major competitors, being acquired by Luxaviation Group, and I think we are moving that way as well.

“There is a mentality of 'stronger together' which is the motto of Belgium. I think that together, ASL and JetNetherlands can reach a bigger audience and enlarge the scope of our activities. Our sales teams are already starting to work hand-in-hand.”