Hangar 8 has taken delivery of a further Global 6000, and is also set to receive a Global 5000 this month. The operator, headquartered at Oxford airport in the UK, has found that its clients trust its experience in managing long range Bombardier jets. Says ceo Dustin Dryden: “A large proportion of what we deal with is heavy metal, so by de facto they tend to be long range. We tend to like that marketplace more than the lighter jets because there is more infrastructure and the customers are happier to pay more sensible fees for it.

“It is certainly easier to make a buck out of it, and the longevity of the customer tends to be more solid. I think it is reasonable to say we are focused on larger aircraft, but I think everyone else is inherently too, it is just a case of whether you can get them or not!”

Hangar 8 does not own any aircraft; its entire fleet is managed. In addition to customers trusting its ability to manage Bombardier, Dryden also highlights a significant number of Gulfstream and Boeing aircraft that feature in the fleet. Despite 'buoyant' Global deliveries, he believes that the Gulfstream product sits comfortably at the top of the market. “The G650 is by far the leading aircraft in the marketplace, because it is the most advanced, it is the fastest, and it is simply the ultimate jet out there at the moment, without a shadow of a doubt.

“I don't think there is any aircraft out there that can compete with it right now. If you are looking at price range, a G650 is going for $75-80m, yet people are certainly willing to pay this, given the quality of the aircraft.

“However, many people are buying Global 6000s at the moment too. You get a much bigger cabin and it is capable of the same range. Both jets have excellent takeoff and landing performance, and I think a lot of people feel that the price differential between a new 550 and a new 650 is not that great. Getting a 650 remains an exciting prospect.”

Dryden's customers enjoy the space on offer in the Global, which he says beats the 'narrow tube' of the 550. The company operates four 550s and a 450, along with its ten Global Express. “It's just the roll of the dice at the moment,” he continues. “I think Bombardier has done very well marketing its product, particularly in Africa.”

Flight hours for Hangar 8 increased by almost 1,000 last year, and it has been making inroads with its associate companies, including International JetClub, which Dryden likens to a 'private bank' with top end clientele, wide body jets and an exceptionally personalised service. Hangar 8 Aviation continues to conduct oil and gas ops and manage aircraft. In South Africa it also has Hangar 8 Aero Medical, which operates a Learjet, a King Air and a Challenger from Johannesburg and repatriates on the African continent.

“We have had a superb couple of months,” adds Dryden. “It will be interesting to see how the economy stays with us. Last month we had the busiest charter month in seven years, so that has been significant. We have taken a lot of deliveries of new aircraft in the last few months, so that's been good. I think the challenge will be to see whether the economy can continue to support it.

“Lots of people are keen that it is growing very well; we are just hoping that it is not a small bubble that is going to burst very quickly. I don't think that if it did it would affect our business particularly.”

Charter is not a core business for him, but he tells EBAN that when it occurs, it is a bonus. “When it turns up on your doorstep it is great for the business. Most of our revenue is contracted and long term, so we are not particularly in the spot charter business. But when it is out there and busy, it is obviously good for us.”

Hangar 8 has just launched its paint shop and is engaged in painting a Challenger, as well as performing a full interior refurbishment. “We will be using it for refurbishment of our own fleet and also the aircraft of external parties.

“This is based at Oxford. We are opening another maintenance base at our Nice hangar, which will be the only maintenance base there. It is one of the busiest corporate jet airports in the world, and to be able to offer support there, in our own facility, should be very good for us.”