Czech-based ABS Jets is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.

“Twenty years is a long time in a human life. It is remarkable just how quickly it flies by when you are dedicated to something as dynamic as the aviation industry, and in particular business aviation, something you enjoy and that brings you personal satisfaction,” says CEO Jan Králik.

In 2004, ABS Jets had just two aircraft and approximately 30 employees. Back then, the vision was to carry out private aviation and perfect private flights.

Today, ABS Jets operates 20 midsize and heavy jets and has more than 300 qualified and experienced professionals based at airports in Prague and Bratislava, Slovakia. It has 15,000sqm of maintenance service centre and hangars in Central and Eastern Europe allowing it to respond flexibly and comprehensively to the needs of clients, whether in the air or on the ground.

In the beginning, flying hours increased consistently during the first decade, with no accidents, injuries or other incidents - quality and safety have been its main priorities. And as the number of aircraft increased, so too did the workforce, and it was necessary to expand the premises. It purchased Hangar C at Ruzyně airport from Czech Airlines and there it began to carry out maintenance of Embraer aircraft. ABS Jets was certified as an authorised Embraer service centre.

As the company obtained more international certifications and awards, so it further expanded the range of services it offered to third parties. During its second decade it brought in its first helicopter, an Airbus H145, as well as other mid-size, heavy and ultra long-range aircraft such as the Gulfstream G650, G550, and G500, the Dassault Falcon 7X, the Bombardier Challenger 605, the Cessna Citation XLS+, and the Boeing Business Jet. It also obtained new certificates for the maintenance of other types of aircraft, which called for significant investment in training for its mechanics, as well as for tools, hangar equipment and processes.

Last but not least, ABS Jets obtained the IS-BAH and IS-BAO stage III certificates for its base in Prague, and IS-BAH stage II for its second base in Bratislava. Its air traffic controllers were also awarded certification from the FAA.

The pandemic and the war in Ukraine have had an impact on its activities, but overall the company has been hugely successful over the last two years; it has managed to obtain a number of new clients, has added seven aircraft to its fleet, and has recruited over 60 new colleagues.

The rise of Czech-based billionaires is just one of the drivers behind demand, and was behind ABS Jets' decision to add five new aircraft in just five months at the beginning of 2023; the Citation XLS+, the G200 and the Challenger 605. The shorter range was a little new for the company, but it was the last piece of the puzzle; ABS Jets had the heavy jets so it wanted some smaller aircraft, to be even more flexible and to have more effective options for clients. The three charter aircraft are based in Prague.