A multi-engine, instrument rated pilot, James Wynbrandt has been an AIN and Business Jet Traveler contributor since 2003. His in-depth reporting and insightful features have won more than a dozen editorial honors, including two National Business Aviation Association Gold Wing Awards (2019; 2021), and his articles have also appeared in the New York Times, Barron’s, Fortune, Forbes, and Smithsonian Air &amp; Space. He has flown his Mooney M20K 252 on assignments throughout North and Central America and the Caribbean. Wynbrandt is also the author of Flying High (Wiley &amp; Sons), a biography of Jet Blue founder David Neeleman, as well as histories, references works, and books on a variety of other topics from major publishers. He lives in New York City.

Contributor - Business Aviation

James Wynbrandt

Geneva-based TAG Aviation (Stand 7020) has added new charter and lease options to its aviation services and an Airbus Corporate Jet (ACJ) to its fleet. It also has opened a new regional base in Bahrain to its global network.
The new charter and lease offerings, Call and Fly, TAG Account and TAG Wet Lease will increase the flexibility and simplicity customers enjoy in accessing charter aircraft, according to the company. Call and Fly is aimed at occasional charter customers seeking trip-by-trip bookings who want to avoid the long-term commitments of jet cards and fractional-ownership programs.
TAG Account, created for clients seeking the highest service levels, offers streamlined flight confirmation among its benefits, and requires a fully refundable deposit. The TAG Wet Lease expands the options for heavy charter users who prefer to avoid ownership, offering aircraft leases for periods of one, three or six months, or for one year or longer. All three services can be personalized for individual clients in consultation with TAG’s charter services team.
“Our clients deserve to define what private jet charter flexibility means to them,” said Walter Stark, TAG Aviation’s vice president for charter services. “A lot of clients today know what to expect, so we’re meeting the needs of those who know exactly what they want. Clients have every right to feel at home when flying with us.”
TAG Aviation has also received final approval from the Kingdom of Bahrain’s department of Civil Aviation Affairs (CAA) for an air operator’s certificate (AOC) for TAG Aviation Bahrain, the company’s newest charter subsidiary. The company indicated that the AOC application process had progressed smoothly despite the recent political violence in Bahrain. Last week, Bahrain’s King Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa said that he will lift the state of emergency from June 1.
“We are proud to have met the high standards set by the Bahrain CAA for this application,” said Robert Wells, CEO of TAG Aviation. “We have not only gained a new AOC but also a valued new partner who shares TAG Aviation’s values operational excellence.”
“We at CAA are delighted to grant TAG Aviation Bahrain this certificate supporting its hub for business in the Middle East," said Captain Abdulrahman Al Gaoud, Undersecretary for Bahrain’s CAA.
TAG Aviation Bahrain will be managed by Russ Allchorne, a former UK Royal Air Force pilot who played a key role in establishing the subsidiary.
Further reflecting TAG’s expansion of services and reach, its Hong Kong-based subsidiary, TAG Aviation Asia, has added an Airbus A319 Corporate Jet to its fleet. Though the subsidiary already offers several large-capacity business jets, this is the first ACJ TAG it will operate in the region.
“Bringing this ACJ into our fleet demonstrates that TAG Aviation Asia has built a foundation strong enough to allow us to move up market,” said Keith Morgan, CEO of TAG Aviation Asia. “As regional demand continues to grow, we are increasingly the management company of choice for the Asian business aviation community’s needs.”
Late last month, TAG Aviation Asia announced that it has selected U.S. operator Priester Aviation as its Asian charter operating partner. This will allow it to offer N-registered aircraft to its clients.
In December 2010, <a href="?q=node/27912">TAG signed a separate preliminary with China First Mandarin Business Aviation</a> (also known as Lilyjet). This is still awaiting approval by the Chinese government.

EBACE 2011: TAG Adds New Charter Options, Regional Base, and Corporate Airliner to Offerings

Geneva-based TAG Aviation (Stand 7020) has added new charter and lease options to its aviation services and an Airbus Corporate Jet (ACJ) to its fleet.

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