Jota Aviation prepares to enter Charter & ACMI jet charter market BAE 146-200 jet to join its fleet this Spring.

Wednesday 9th April 2014

Jota Aviation, the independently owned specialist UK air charter and management company, is preparing to mark its fourth birthday with the arrival of a British Aerospace 146-200 regional jet.  The London Southend based charter company, expects to receive an A licence imminently from the UK Civil Aviation Authority so that it can fulfill ad hoc charter, ACMI and lease assignments for corporate businesses and Europe's regional airlines.  It expects to be operational in May.

The aircraft, to be re-registered G-SMLA, is currently undergoing a significant interior refurbishment at Manston Kent International Airport by British company Av Man Engineering.  The 146 will be configured with 95 seats and will have an option to turn the centre seat of each treble seat row into a table.  It also plans to offer a quick conversion to a fully dedicated  business class with up to 54 seats to further widen the appeal.

Experienced flight and cabin crew have been recruited, while maintenance support has also been agreed with AvMan Engineering, at Manston.

The aircraft will complement Jota Aviation's established charter business which is focused on its fleet of four Beechcraft King Airs.  Jota is the largest operator of the King Air 90 family in Europe, with aircraft deployed on cargo and passenger flights from London Southend, Liverpool and Leeds Bradford Airports.  Jota Aviation won a strong endorsement from its industry peers last October when industry members of the Baltic Air Charter Association (BACA) voted it Best Cargo Operator in the annual 2013 BACA industry awards.  Jota was also short listed in the Best General Aviation category.

Jota Aviation's BAe 146 will be London City Airport capable.

"Now is the right time to expand our offering and move into the regional jet sector," believes Jota Aviation Managing Director Andy Green.  "Other charter companies have recently exited the BAe 146 sector in Europe, meaning there is significantly reduced availability for a generous sized cabin aircraft with rugged performance and short field landing characteristics.  "Our aircraft will be London City Airport capable too, making it more attractive for sub charters," he suggests.

In support of its expansion into the jet sector, Jota Aviation has enlisted the expertise of  regional airline specialist Mike Sessions.  Mike, a popular figure in the airline fraternity, previously served with British World Airlines as Sales and Commercial Director.  He has a 37- year career in aviation, starting out with BWA's predecessor British Air Ferries in 1977 as a sales executive.  Since 2002 Mike has been running his own consultancy Blue Sky Aviation, advising start-up airlines on leasing options, charter brokerage, inclusive tour and airline strategy.

About Jota Aviation.

Jota Aviation is part of the independent Jota Group, which also comprises Jota Sport, Jota Design and Jota Historic.  Set up four years ago to cater for the travel and cargo demands of the motorsports industry, Jota Aviation has grown to be a leading specialist air charter operator serving the UK and Europe with passenger and cargo flights focused on Beechcraft King Airs, today employing 35 personnel.  The company is run by Andy Green, Managing Director and CAA post holder, who set up the company for the directors of Jota Sport in 2009.

Jota Aviation was granted a type B operating licence in September 2010, initially flying light piston aircraft and then progressing to Beechcraft King Airs.  Andy has 25 years' experience in airline and charter operations, starting his career with National Airways in 1986.   He has worked in operations with British Air Ferries and was MD and accountable Manager forTrans Euro Air, flying King Airs. Andy has also worked with Air Charter Service (ACS), one of the world's top three charter brokers.

Jota Sport The racing division of the JOTA Group currently competes in the European Le Mans Series plus selected rounds of the FIA World Endurance Championship including the Le Mans 24 Hours - a race JOTA Sport first contested in 2005 and has claimed a top-six overall placing in. Jota Sport has also competed successfully in the American Le Mans Series, British GT Championship, Le Mans Series, Le Mans Endurance Series and FIA Sportscar Championship since its formation in 2000 as well as the Spa and Nürburgring 24 Hour races.

Jota Historic focuses on restoring and running historic race cars at Blue-Ribbon events such as the Le Mans Classic and Goodwood. Built on a foundation of supreme attention to detail, dedication and expertise, Jota Historic offers a turnkey operation from restoration, race car setup, race weekend support and performance driver coaching.

Jota Design specialises in the design, development and manufacture of road, race and rally projects. The knowledge and experience gained through motorsport competition is directly translated into all the projects that Jota Design is tasked with, from major OEM projects for the likes of Mazda through to individual vehicle performance enhancement

The Jota Group is majority owned by British businessman and entrepreneur Simon Dolan, who is involved in several financial industries.  A Le Mans racing driver he set up racing team Jota Sport in 2008.

www.jotagroup.com/jotaaviationabout.php