Baker Aviation Buys 20 Challenger 300s from Flexjet

Flexjet has sold 20 of its Bombardier Challenger 300s to charter operator Baker Aviation. According to Flexjet, the deal for the super-midsize jets closed in late November. Baker Aviation is a wholesale charter provider with a fleet of Cessna Citation Xs.

“Flexjet is committed to the ongoing modernization of our fleet, ensuring our aircraft owners have access to the most modern and technologically advanced aircraft available,” said Flexjet CEO Michael Silvestro. “This partnership with Baker Aviation allows these Challenger 300s to remain a productive part of the private aviation ecosystem, as we continue to take on delivery of new super-midsize aircraft in the form of the Embraer Praetor 600 and Bombardier Challenger 3500.”

While Flexjet didn’t say how many Challenger 300s remain in its fleet, it will retain enough “to service some jet card and on-demand charter storefront lift,” the company told AIN.

In a LinkedIn post, Baker Aviation president Timothy Livingston said, “We are looking forward to building the Challenger 300 side of our business just like we did with the Citation Xs. We still plan to operate (and possibly grow) the Citation X business for many years to come.

“We will make announcements as we get more 300s on our certificate. Tentatively, we will have two more (five total) on certificate by December 15 to help with some holiday travel.”

West Elk Aviation served as the transaction advisor, structuring the multi-party agreement and supporting Baker Aviation’s execution of its fleet, operational, and long-term strategic objectives.