Amber Aviation Offers Fractional Jet Leasing in China

As it moves forward with plans to bring fractional shares of business jets to China, Amber Aviation is adding more former NetJets Gulfstream G450s to its charter management fleet. The company brought one of these G450s this week to the Business Aviation Asia Forum & Exhibition static display in Singapore.

NetJets, one of the investors in Amber Aviation, leases the G450s, which are then offered to customers in the AmberNet “fractional lease” program in blocks of 25 to 50 flight hours.

“[NetJets] is coming through us to help grow the market,” said Amber Aviation chairman and president Jeff Chiang. Partnering with a Chinese company is usually required for non-Chinese investors who want to build a business in the country and also  makes for smoother relationships with government and airport authorities, he explained. “So far, it’s a successful venture.”

China does have a regulatory framework for the sale of fractional shares and operation of fractional fleets, and Amber Aviation has plans to offer shares.

“Because the concept is still fairly novel in this region, the first step is fractional leasing, then eventually ownership,” Chiang said. “People here still need a bit more time to understand the difference.”

Another roadblock is that many buyers still feel that they must own the whole airplane without having enough of a need to keep that airplane busy. “If they’re underutilizing the aircraft, the fractional share model would be great. But here a lot of clients are still buying a plane for bragging rights. It hasn’t matured to where people buy them for genuine business purposes.”

Headquartered in Shenzhen, Amber Aviation has 23 aircraft under management with seven enrolled in the AmberNet program. Five of those are former NetJets G450s, which have been refurbished. One is a G550 whose owner placed it in the leasing program to generate more revenue hours, and another jet is a Bombardier Global 5000 that belongs to Amber Aviation shareholders.

The fleet isn’t based anywhere in particular and floats around Asia wherever AmberNet program buyers, managed aircraft owners, and charter customers need a lift. Most trips remain in Asia, with occasional flights to the U.S. or Europe. 

“We’re looking to expand in Southeast Asia,” Chiang said. “This is a good growth engine with all the high-net-worth individuals concentrated in this area.”

NetJets does exert some influence on Amber Aviation’s operations beyond investing and leasing the G450s, according to Chiang. “We run it according to how it best fits into this region, but having NetJets in the background, we have to abide by their safety [protocols], so it’s not dissimilar. If their clients are flying in this region they would use our service as a venture partner.”

An advantage of buying a fractional lease block of time in the AmberNet program is that there is no repositioning charge as is typical with charter trips. “We guarantee availability all year round,” he said, “and that’s not something you can do with a charter. This is not just charter or full ownership, it is an in-between.”

Having access to a business jet without buying the whole jet has become more attractive since it shifts the focus away from the impression that the jet owner is flaunting their wealth. Owners sold many jets during Covid because they didn’t want to keep paying for their upkeep while not being able to use their aircraft. “For those who used to fly private, since they’re used to it, this is a good alternative,” Chiang said.

For Amber Aviation customers, who typically travel with family and staff, the G450 is proving to be an ideal airplane. “The G450 is a well-rounded aircraft that fits the traveling profile of this area,” he said.

Fractional leasing “is a welcome addition to this region,” Chiang concluded. While customers are used to charter and whole airplane ownership, sales of fractional shares are definitely on the horizon. “Sooner or later, it’s going to take off. People are familiar with the shared economy concept.”