Swiss Executive Aviation (SEA) believes it will continue to benefit from a client preference for the personal touch as it expands its charter business further in 2008. "Recently we've been approached by clients through recommen-dation," says SEA's Gunter Knall. "Interestingly, in some cases clients prefer a smaller operator to one of the big players: I guess it is the more personal touch. Our business has developed from 500 hours on a Citation Excel to almost ten times as much in turnover, achieved with the same small sales team. However, with the new orders our team will grow as well and 2008 is looking even better than 2007."

Knall adds: "We have added a Legacy 600 to our managed fleet and believe it will be on our AOC by January and available for charter. Our Citation XLS has just been sold to a new owner but SEA has kept the management."

Two more XLSs will come into operation in the second and fourth quarter of 2008. SEA also expects a Hawker 400XP and a second Legacy 600 in the first quarter of next year. "We are seeking a Falcon 7X with a 2008-2009 delivery position as replacement for a sold Falcon 2000 and a G-550 with a 2008 delivery position."

Knall says: "Business demand is strong in both western and eastern Europe. We are present in both, but with different types of aircraft, and we generate a great deal of business in both areas. "The XLS is in the air every single day, except for maintenance days. The Legacy and other newcomer aircraft will also be in the air most of the time."  

The XLS, Knall says, is a work horse and the best charter aircraft in its segment. "It has a roomy cargo area and we have nine seats in the stand-up cabin. A good separate toilet, an APU and pressure fueling are key marketing points and the range of 1,800 to 2,000 n.m. and the easy maintenance supervision in Zurich are perfect for us." SEA's business took off in 2005.

"A Falcon 2000 and a Challenger 601 were added to our fleet and our name got more and more known." Clients that used to fly turboprops changed to Bravos and the CJ2, and are now in the Excel market, Knall reports. "We were the first Excel operator in 2000 and then the first XLS operator in 2005 in Switzerland and our choice has been proven by the popularity of Excels in Europe." The Legacy was chosen on different criteria. "Our client was looking at a Hawker 850XP at first but needed a bigger cabin and range. The Legacy has an optimal mix of cabin size, range and price. "It is a proven aircraft and, being based more or less in Moscow, it is also perfect for that market there, since distances are bigger and the Russians like more space in the lounge," he adds.

In the last seven years SEA has only had two pilots leave, for personal reasons. "Right now we are looking for one Citation XLS captain and one Legacy captain. We also have one sales assistant and one dispatcher vacancy," says Knall.