Story ID: 
Luxaviation Acquires Masterjet
By: Thierry Dubois
Caption: Consolidation reinforces Luxembourg-based group as Europe's number-one air charter operator.
Word Count: 182
Luxembourg-based operator Luxaviation acquired its Portuguese counterpart, Masterjet, the companies announced today. The acquisition, takes the Luxaviation fleet to nearly 100 business aircraft and the employee roster past 500, strengthening Luxaviation's ranking as the largest business aviation company in Europe.

Although Masterjet holds a Portuguese AOC and is headquartered in Lisbon, it operates business jets from Paris Le Bourget. It has 44 employees in Paris and 13 in Lisbon, operating a fleet of eight jets: Falcons, Learjets and an Airbus A320. “With the addition of the A320, we will be able to serve the ‘head of state’ market,” Luxaviation co-CEO Patrick Hansen said.

Luxaviation says it will continue its strategy to retain the identity, leadership and operational independence of each operator within the group, while pooling many operational services such as fuel, maintenance and insurance. Masterjet president Edward Queffelec and managing director Karol Gueremy will retain their job titles.

Luxaviation now comprises six European air charter companies: Luxaviation, Luxaviation Germany, Abelag (Belgium), Unijet (France), London Executive Aviation (UK) and Masterjet. It also has a commercial office in Singapore.