A new pre-owned aircraft sales group called Affinity Aviation is being publicly launched this evening. The UK-based company has been founded by Andrew Hoy, formerly a senior sales executive with ExecuJet Aviation and Jetcraft. With the support of undisclosed financial backers he has plans to expand into other business aviation services, including FBOs and charter operations.

The company started trading with nine aircraft listed for sale on its website. Hoy told AIN that he intends to provide a simple, transparent and discrete approach to aircraft trading that will be based on a fixed-fee structure for sellers.

“Affinity was created from all the best I learned over the last 15 years in business aviation, and its ethos is in clarity, transparency and building a long term relationship with our clients,” said Hoy. “We have the simplest fixed-fee structure with no upfront fees and a ‘no-sale, no-fee’ basis.”

The fixed fee arrangement for transactions is based on the size of aircraft being sold and on a mutually agreed valuation. Affinity fixes the fee at the beginning of the process and it is payable once a deal is concluded, allowing sellers to accurately budget for the brokerage costs.

“I am intending to create a sizable business to compete on the global stage, one where all employees have a stake in the group’s activities and each form a key element in its growth,” Hoy told AIN. The initial group of employees have already been selected, along with further “stake holders” in the new business. Further announcements are anticipated soon.

According to Hoy, Affinity is in the final stages of plans to add a European FBO to its portfolio, as well as acquiring a global private-charter operator. It also intends to start a division focused on advising high-net-worth individuals.

Elaborating on the planned FBO side of the business, Hoy said the first FBO is likely to be in Western Europe. In his view, FBO ownership will allow Affinity to initiate long-term relationships with private aviation clients, providing support at all stages of aircraft ownership. “Our strapline is that we’re with you every step of the way,” he said.

While launching Affinity, Hoy continues to pilot a privately-owned Bombardier Global XRS five days each month. Having started life as a professional pilot, around 10 years ago he had to bounce back from the disappointment of being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, which for a while put a stop to his commercial flying. He has subsequently been cleared by UK authorities to resume professional flying, and he also flies a World War II-vintage Spitfire fighter for fun.

Hoy also is seeking to establish an alliance of like-minded business aviation companies seeking to compliment each other’s services. The new Service Alliance Network will be open to mutually approved members free of charge.