Bangkok, Thailand-based charter group OrientSkys recently announced a new strategic business alliance with Beijing Airlines (formerly Air China Business Jet). Beijing Airlines, which Air China established in 2003 as the state-owned airline’s private charter arm, operates a Bombardier Challenger 605 and a Global Express XRS, as well as a Gulfstream G450 and a 28-seat Boeing Business Jet for charter. The operator expects to add more aircraft to its fleet in the near future.
OrientSkys does not currently operate its own aircraft, rather it acts as a sales representative for a network of operators based in various parts of Asia. The company was founded under the name Xjet in 2004 and renamed in 2007. According to chief operating officer Trevor Merszei, the company, which has a background in marketing upscale products worldwide, also helps operators by handling backroom functions such as administration, accounts and payment collection.
According to OrientSkys, the alliance will give its international customers “operator-direct pricing from the only Wyvern safety-audited business jet operation in China.” At the same time, Beijing Airlines’ Chinese customers will have access to aircraft from OrientSkys’ network of operators in the U.S., Europe and the Middle East.
Under the agreement, OrientSkys will act as an agent for Beijing Airlines (Booth P1204), securing charter contracts from its customer base outside China and providing priority access to its fleet for any charters within the People’s Republic of China. The company will also provide sales, marketing and business development services within Southeast Asia, Europe and the U.S.
“I have worked with Air China Business Jet [now Beijing Airlines] for quite a few years now and have the utmost confidence in their safety, dispatch reliability and overall customer deliverable…that is why I am so excited to announce this partnership,” commented Merszei.
Meanwhile, OrientSkys has also entered into a “strategic business partnership” with Global Jet Sales of St. Petersburg, Florida, under which it has become Global’s exclusive sales representative for Asia. OrientSkys is now able to offer Asian buyers and sellers access to the Global Jet inventory of preowned aircraft, appraisal services and staff with experience in private jet sales and acquisitions in the region. The company said it is one of the few Asian private jet brokers able to accept trade-ins on used business aircraft.
“We have always known that private jet charter is often the first step toward ownership and, over the years, we have helped quite a few customers purchase business aircraft,” said Merszei. “OrientSkys will be able to offer our clients in Asia and elsewhere a comprehensive turnkey solution to the often intimidating task of acquiring or selling a private jet.”
“Being able to grow and expand Global Jet Sales in order to service Asia has been a high priority. That’s why when we had a chance to form a partnership with OrientSkys we were delighted to do so,” said Alexander Janas, executive sales director at Global Jet Sales.
