Private charter operator KlasJet has always had its fleet firmly in the Boeing camp, and this commitment is about to get stronger with the addition of a Boeing Business Jets BBJ2 to its fleet early next year. The European company already has four VIP Boeing 737NG aircraft configured to carry between 56 and 104 passengers, but the new addition will feature a more luxurious layout for just 22 passengers.
As part of the larger Avia Solutions Group, Lithuania-based KlasJet also operates seven more 737NGs in economy-class configurations with between 186 and 189 seats under aircraft, maintenance, crew, and insurance (ACMI) contracts. These leased aircraft are part of a wider fleet of 214 aircraft operated by KlasJet’s sister carriers, which include Avion Express, SmartLynx Airlines, and Ascend Airways.
According to KlasJet’s CEO, Justinas Bulka, its VIP charter activities have delivered around 7% growth in revenues this year, representing a stabilization in demand compared with 2023. Among the company’s core client base are leading professional sports teams needing flights to games and music industry stars traveling for concert tours.
Bulka said that in the private charter sector, the company tends not to compete on price, instead focusing on providing a comprehensive solution to often complex travel needs for high-profile clients. The operator commonly uses airports close to a client’s final destination and FBOs where available to avoid privacy and security issues in main passenger terminals.
The preowned BBJ2, which is currently being refurbished by its sister company Strom Aviation, is likely to be based somewhere in the Middle East, where KlasJet sees a lot of demand for charters to and from Europe during the winter months. The company commonly moves its aircraft between temporary bases in different countries to respond to shifting seasonal demand.
Operating Beyond Europe
In addition to its European Union air operator certificate in Lithuania, it has foreign operator approval in Canada, and one aircraft has been approved by Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation. The company, which was formed in October 2013, is now applying for approval from Australia’s regulator.
The BBJ2’s cabin interior will feature lounge and meeting areas, as well as sleeping accommodation. KlasJet plans to operate the aircraft with five crew members, including pilots and flight attendants. The four existing 737s used for private charters are all -300 or -500 models.
Bulka told AIN he would like to expand KlasJet’s fleet to include 10 private charter aircraft and 30 airliners for ACMI contracts by 2029. “It can be quite difficult to find the right aircraft, but we are looking for several options,” he said, adding that he would not rule out looking at Airbus alternatives to its Boeing models.
Prior to 2019, KlasJet’s fleet included some small aircraft with up to 12 seats, including Bombardier CRJs and a Hawker business jet. Subsequently, it decided to focus on all-Boeing operations, in part to take advantage of flight crew training and experience synergies. Its aim now is to fly each of its aircraft, including the ACMI fleet, an average of more than 3,000 hours and 1,200 cycles per year.
In the ACMI market, the company has seen contract annual rates increase by around 20%, mainly due to aircraft shortages and technical issues with engines and other parts. The Avia Solutions Group also includes maintenance, repair, and overhaul provider FL Technics.