Story ID: 336
HondaJet Debuts in Central Europe
By: Kerry Lynch
Caption: Polish vodka distiller Chopin Vodka took delivery of the first Central Europe-based HondaJet.
Word Count: 371
Honda Aircraft (Booth O71, Stand 20) and its dealer HondaJet Central Europe celebrated the entry-into-service of the first HondaJets in the region, debuting the aircraft in a recent ceremony at Chopin-Warsaw Airport. Polish operator Jet Story will manage the aircraft, which will be available for charter in Europe, the UK, Russia, and Scandinavia.

The aircraft, delivered in March, was ceremonially presented to Tadeusz Dorda, CEO and founder of Polish vodka distiller Chopin Vodka, during its April 12 Central Europe debut. Also on hand for the ceremony were Satoru Takahashi, the Japanese ambassador to Poland; Simon Roads, senior division director of sales for Honda Aircraft; and Steven Shaknaitis, executive v-p for GE Honda Aero Engines.

Dorda called the aircraft a “game changer,” adding Honda Aircraft president and CEO Michimasa Fujino “has not only abandoned the notion of what is considered conventional aviation, [but] he has [also] redefined the category. I have the same passion to elevate the spirits category.”

The HA-420 HondaJet was certified by the FAA in December 2015 and EASA validation followed in May 2016.

The introduction in Central Europe comes as Honda Aircraft expands its presence in Western Europe. Honda Aircraft in February signed a memorandum of understanding with Paris-based carrier Wijet for 16 HondaJets, marking the single largest fleet order for the light twinjet. The deal has a potential value of $80 million at list price. Wijet plans to use the aircraft to expand its reach from 1,200 to 1,500 airports across Europe and North Africa.

Honda Aircraft’s growth in Europe came as the company approached its 100-aircraft milestone. It reached this marker by taking a methodical approach to building its customer base.

Rather than pursuing every existing market slice and chasing the same customers, Honda Aircraft has been introducing the aircraft to new markets and customers. “Our goal is to expand business aviation,” Fujino said.

This philosophy has sprung new arrangements such as the plan for the HondaJet China dealership to launch FlightJoy next year with three of the HondaJet light twins. It also spurred development of the arrangement with ANA for HondaJets to serve as feeder aircraft on certain of the Japanese carrier’s routes.
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