Greek VIP charter and management provider GainJet Aviation is planning to expand into the African market, and has singled out Rwanda as a possible base for its operation.
“We have looked at a number of countries in east Africa and Rwanda really stands out as a safe, stable and organised country in which to do business,” says GainJet chief executive Capt Ramsey Shaban. “We will initially base aircraft there, starting with a [Bombardier] Challenger 604 which will be used for medevac operations. Then we will grow the business with a local partner.”
GainJet – owned by the Gulf-based Alghanim Group – says Africa currently accounts for 15% of its charter and management business, with Europe, the Middle East and the USA taking 45%, 35% and 5% shares, respectively.
GainJet
The company operates an expanding fleet of owned and managed high-end business aircraft: two Boeing 757-200s and a 737-400, two Gulfstream G650s, two G450s and a G550, an Embraer Legacy 600 and two Challenger 604s. Italso has one G600 on order, with the large-cabin, long-range business jet scheduled for delivery in 2019.
“We are entirely focused on the top end of the business jet market, and with the full financial backing of our owner are now looking to grow our medevac and VIP airliner fleet,” says Shaban.
The company is eyeing up to three medevac types, including a Gulfstream GV. “There are no ultra-long-range aircraft in this sector, so there will certainly be a market for a model with this mission capability,” Shaban says.
GainJet is also planning to add another VIP airliner to the fleet before the end of the year to plug a capacity gap in its large group transportation offering. “We are currently narrowing our choice of aircraft,” says Shaban, with a 767, 757 and 737 all under evaluation.
Once selected, the aircraft will be fully refurbished, and put into service early in 2017.
