Story ID: 
Charter Broker Acquires Charter Operator
By: Gordon Gilbert
Caption: Global charter broker Air Partner has acquired UK executive charter operator Gold Air for $8.1 million.
Word Count: 151
Global charter broker Air Partner has acquired UK executive charter operator Gold Air for $8.1 million. From its base at London Biggin Hill Airport, Gold Air operates six Learjet 45s and a Hawker 800 and has two Global 5000s on order for delivery in 2009. According to Air Partner managing director David Savile, Gold Air was bought to give the broker an assured supply of charter capacity for its clients, including customers for its new Jet Card block charter program. But he insisted that Air Partner will still be making charter bookings with other operators. Savile added that Air Partner, which has offices in Europe, the U.S., the Middle East and Asia, also wants to be able “to assist existing charter customers who want to own aircraft and have them managed by a respected operator.” Gold Air’s existing management is being retained and it will continue to operate under its own name.