South Wales-based MRO and training business, Cardiff Aviation, has announced it is in the final stages of forming a new EASA-compliant ACMI airline which will provide clients with three fully-crewed aircraft by the end of the year. The formation of the new airline, operating under the VVB brand, was announced at the Paris Air Show and follows just weeks after Cardiff Aviation has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Air Djibouti to create and implement a national carrier for the East African nation of Djibouti.
The airline operation is the latest stage of a phenomenal expansion for the company based at St Athan -Cardiff Airport Aerospace Enterprise Zone in South Wales. Operating from a former Royal Air Force base it offers commercial MRO services with parking for up to 20 narrow-bodied airliners. It is also home to two Boeing 747 training simulators and one of just two Sikorsky S-61 helicopter simulators in the world.
Its new airline business is in the process of acquiring an EASA operating licence and has already sourced a single Boeing 737-400 which it says will go straight into ACMI operations as soon as its Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) is awarded. At least two additional aircraft are expected to be added to its fleet before the end of third quarter of 2015.
“In the last two years we’ve grown relentlessly, thanks to our unique entrepreneurial style of MRO and training. We’re now looking to bring that approach to the airline market with VVB. This is a huge opportunity to create new jobs and further increase our already impressive roster of services,” said Bruce Dickinson, chairman, Cardiff Aviation, and front man of the infamous Iron Maiden rock group.
The new airline is the first stage in Cardiff Aviation’s plan to develop a revolutionary new approach to aviation, which will allow corporations and countries to quickly set up airlines with EASA-class compliance and capability.
“If you are looking to establish an airline, we will do all of the procurement, technical execution and administration on your behalf. We can give you a one-stop ‘airline in a box’ – all you need to do is sell the tickets, and we’ll do the rest,” said Dickinson.
Cardiff Aviation has already begun the process of establishing other airlines, with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed last month with Air Djibouti to create a new national carrier for the African country. Under the terms of the MoU, Cardiff Aviation will implement and manage a European-level AOC for Air Djibouti, source aircraft, and provide operational management and MRO support for the new African national carrier.
Air Djibouti appointed Cardiff Aviation following a study which identified key markets for the national carrier based on the needs of landlocked neighbouring countries, governmental aid programmes around Africa, the support of military installations currently based in Djibouti, and the need to deliver passengers to major international business hubs such as London and Dubai.
“Djibouti is uniquely placed to provide a hub for investment from Europe, the Middle East and Asia into Africa. By providing full airline support and project implementation to Air Djibouti, Cardiff Aviation will bring a wealth of industry expertise and capability to one of the most exciting aviation markets in the world to spearhead growth in a region with tremendous potential,” said Dickinson.
Initial operations will take the form of freight transportation, with aircraft already secured for this stage of development. Air Djibouti, however, aims to grow rapidly and be in a position to offer passenger transport to key markets in the very near future. The country intends to replicate its success in port logistics in the aviation sector, with plans to develop four new ports and two new airports to create a complete sea-air cargo network. Djibouti's current transport and logistics infrastructure programme exceeds $14 billion.
Related Content
