UK-based charter operator and aircraft management company Voluxis this year celebrates the 50th anniversary of its AOC.

Senior commercial director Gavin Copus says: “I originally joined the company 35 years ago in 1989 as an operations assistant and, after furthering my aviation career elsewhere, I rejoined several years ago. It’s amazing to see just how far we have come since those humble beginnings back in 1974. A golden anniversary is a major landmark in any organisation, and we have been celebrating in style.

“As a company Voluxis was originally founded under the name Berrard Aviation and started business in May 1974, with initial flying limited to one Cessna 205, used for leisure flights and parachute training. Over the next decade, a Piper Chieftain and Piper Aztecs were added, which were used for passenger charters, including for the oil and gas industry, as well as for some small cargo flights carrying automotive parts.”

In 1985 the company changed its name to Interflight Air Charter, and over the next decade the fleet expanded, with the addition of a Cessna Titan, a Learjet 35a (the first jet aircraft), a Beech KingAir 200C and its first Hawkers, a HS125-600 and 700. In this period, a worldwide United Kingdom AOC was also obtained.

“In 1998 the base was moved to London Biggin Hill airport, which remains one of the bases to this day, and over the following years a Citation II, Hawker 800 and a Hawker 700 were added,” continues Copus.

“In 2016, ownership of the company changed hands, as we welcomed a newly refurbished Hawker 800XP. The following year we saw investment, with new offices and an upgraded hangar. In 2018, we again rebranded, this time to Voluxis, and took on a new direction with a larger cabin fleet.

“Now, we’re managing a diverse fleet of aircraft around the world, including Bombardiers, Gulfstreams and Embraers based in the UK, Middle East, Africa and Asia, and we celebrated the huge milestone in style with Champagne and cake.”

Adrian Price, now head of pilot training, has been with the company for more than 15 years and recalls: “We are at a very different stage to when I first started, originally flying a 1978 Hawker 700B to now piloting a 2022 Praetor 600.”

Annabel Brown, cabin services director, joined more than 30 years ago and says: “Many happy memories over the years, flying all over the world. We’ve seen huge improvements with cabins and catering services since the early 90s. The advancement of technology has made our jobs so much easier; things such as being able to order catering on the move and inflight wi-fi. The one thing that hasn’t changed in my 30 years is the amazing care for the many passengers we have carried and the professionalism and motivation of the crews, which is something that will never leave us.”