Icejet, the private jet charter operator now established at London Oxford Airport, UK, and JetCom Aviaton of Lugano, Switzerland, have formed a new strategic alliance. The relationship will see Icejet managing the operations of JetCom Aviation’s 31-seat Dornier 328 Jet by providing maintenance and crew support. Currently, this aircraft flies regular corporate shuttles between Exeter, Farnborough and Malpensa airports for a large Italian corporation.  JetCom Aviation’s 31 seater transferred to the Icelandic AOC in mid-March and has been flying on Icejet’s AOC since then.

The aircraft joins the existing Icejet fleet which includes a Dornier 328 14 seat VIP jet and a 19 seat all business class D328 jet. The intention is to add a second JetCom Aviation 31 seater 328 to the Icelandic fleet in the near future.

The agreement has come about as both companies, with the Dornier 328 Jet in common, look to expand their operations out of the UK and Italy.  “Together we plan to capitalise on the fleet synergy and move into new markets and territories,” said Jon Ingi Jonsson, Icejet Managing Director.

“Icejet is a fellow 328 jet operator also with a growing presence in the UK and Italy, so after several meetings and sharing of ideas we agreed to work together to offer something quite unique in the market,” added JetCom Aviation Chief Executive Marco Ostini.  Marco, who was previously General Manager Southern Europe for regional airline Crossair, has considerable experience in the scheduled airline market and notes that the company has started dialogue with several Italian airports regarding possible scheduled services too.  Icejet, now in its fifth year of operations, is an expanding player in business aviation with four 328 jets positioned in France, Italy and the UK.

“Popular new destinations for leisure charter include Morocco, Cyprus and Madeira,” Jon Ingi Jonsson confirmed, adding Icejet had an exceptionally busy December flying 20 days out of 24.  Of late the company has been active flying several music tours, but it is keen to do more business shuttle work with the 19 and 31-seaters.  “The 328’s generous cabin and large cargo hold, plus its ability it serve shorter runway airports gives us the edge with many charter brokers,” he added.

In related news, Icejet has also signed an agreement with Oxford Airport-based aircraft maintenance company EBAS to undertake line maintenance and technical support on the Dornier fleet.