Two Nuremberg-based operators have come together, with the purchase by Axtmann Holding AG, parent company of general aviation and air ambulance operator FAI rent-a-jet, of a majority stake in Fly Alpha. Axtmann is to take a 51 per cent stake in the company, with an option to complete a full purchase at a later date.

Fly Alpha's Premier 1A, King Air 200 and King Air 300 will now be available for charter through FAI rent-a-jet, although they will continue to operate under the AOC of Fly Alpha. The latter will also retain its name and brand, and remains under the leadership of md Marcus Kaiser. FAI rent-a-jet chairman Siegfried Axtmann made the decision to purchase as he had identified a need for aircraft that can fulfill short haul charter requests. Fly Alpha has experience in air ambulance, special cargo, and charter flights, thereby complementing the activity of FAI's mid to long range aircraft, and has flown 700 hours in the last 12 months on missions across Germany, France and Italy.

“We have noticed that there is a lot of opportunity in Europe for the shorter two hour charter flights which we were not tapping into,” says Axtmann. “Our fleet is more suited to longer range flights so it made sense to add in smaller aircraft to maximise the use of our resources.

Fly Alpha now has access to the maintenance expertise of FAI Technik. “We anticipate this will be the first of a number of acquisitions we will make as the European sector continues to consolidate,” Axtmann reveals.

FAI rent-a-jet has also confirmed the exit of its Greek shareholder MIG Aviation Holding, which has been bought out by Axtmann Holding for €25.2m. MIG's departure took place for 'strategic reasons' following a seven-year cooperation.