London-based aviation services provider Ocean Sky (Booth No. 237) is expanding its profile on a variety of fronts, not the least of which is a major role in the upcoming James Bond thriller “Quantum of Solace,” scheduled to open in theaters this October.
According to Ocean Sky CEO Kurosh Tehranchian, the opportunity was “our license to thrill,” and in doing so, the company provided eight Ocean Sky jets in support of the film, including a Challenger 604, a Cessna Citation V, a Gulfstream V, four Learjets and a Hawker 800. More jets will be featured in this particular Bond film than in any of the series thrillers in its 46-year history. And Ocean Sky had a ground role as well, as the place where Bond appears in search of a jet for charter.

It may be good for the public profile, but the company also has more substantial goals, starting with a fleet expansion that includes three Challenger 605s and five Gulfstream G650s. Two of the Challengers have already been delivered and the third is due in August 2009. The G650, Gulfstream’s latest airplane, is not scheduled for certification until 2012 and Ocean Sky anticipates delivery of its first shortly thereafter. All eight airplanes are expected to go into service as part of Ocean Sky’s owned fleet.

“Unlike other sectors, we’re not being adversely hit by the world economic slowdown,” said Tehranchian. “Our turnover looks set to almost double this year.”
At EBACE yesterday, he also announced the commissioning of aircraft designer Andrew Winch to create the interior for its new Boeing Business Jet. The airplane is to be delivered green in 2011 and Ocean Sky is looking for an independent completion center to do the work. The cost of design and cabin outfitting for the $43-million variant of the Boeing 737-800 airliner is expected to run in the neighborhood of $20 million.

The specific cabin “look” has yet to be determined, but Tehranchian said, “It will follow an art-deco theme, including a carefully chosen and subtly integrated entertainment system.”

Finally, Ocean Sky announced yesterday a “significant deal” with Canadian aircraft manufacturer Bombardier. It will give Ocean Sky’s Manchester maintenance facility status as a Bombardier-authorized service center. Already authorized for Learjet maintenance, the new agreement expands that mandate to include routine maintenance and warranty work on all aircraft in Bombardier’s Challenger and Global lines.

As a result of the Bombardier approval, Ocean Sky anticipates the number of aircraft serviced will rapidly increase by as much as 300 percent. The Manchester facility currently services nearly 400 aircraft a year.