New aircraft brokerage 28 East launches at MEBA

Monday 8th December 2014

Independently owned, Swiss aviation company Vertis Aviation and German-based aircraft operator K5 have announced the launch of a brand new aircraft brokerage service - 28 East.  Based in Zug, Switzerland, the brokerage will seamlessly guide clients through the complex process of buying and selling both new and pre-owned aircraft. 28 East will focus on sourcing the best possible aircraft in the marketplace to suit the mission needs of potential purchasers, and/or locate the right buyer for vendors looking to sell an aircraft. Maximising its global network, it plans to develop markets in Africa, Europe, the Middle East and Russia and will offer a full range of services including, pre-buy inspections, aircraft selection, managing the sale, aircraft completion, management company choice, crew resourcing, through to full operations. 28 East's portfolio will list aircraft with an asset value of US$10 million or above.

Luca Madone, Partner at 28 East, believes the new company is very well positioned to effectively serve its clients. "As a Group, we are well versed in aircraft types, have an extensive aviation contact list and a thorough understanding of the sector. We believe we have an exceptional advantage because we have literally taken aircraft from green sheet specification, to full completion and re-delivery so we understand every aspect of the aircraft sales process. Combine this with the operational knowledge held by our partners at K5, and we have a nose-to-tail solution for clients looking to sell or purchase aircraft. It's a unique skill set that we know the market will welcome."

28 East is launching with an impressive set of initial listings. It will exclusively market a 2007 Airbus ACJ319 and a 2000 Bombardier Global Express. Further ultra long range aircraft will be added to the portfolio in the near future.

The ACJ's highly specified, 19-passenger, interior features a master bedroom with ensuite shower room, a second bedroom/lounge, two conference rooms and a well-equipped forward galley. The ACJ319 uniquely offers the widest and tallest cabin of any business jet with intercontinental range enabling maximum comfort and freedom of movement for passengers. The aircraft comes complete with the latest Inflight Entertainment technology system including AVOD and iPod/iPad control, Internet via WLAN, and satellite communications (SATCOM). With extended intercontinental range capabilities of 5,500 nm, the aircraft is ideally suited for trips from Dubai to virtually any city in Europe, Africa or Asia.

The ultra-long range Bombardier Global Express, which was refurbished in 2011, features a classically designed, 12-passenger, spacious interior and boasts one of the tallest, widest and longest passenger cabins in its class. The aircraft also boasts incredible performance. With an impressive range of 5600nm the Global Express can fly intercontinental without refuelling, easily reaching Jeddah from New York or Cape Town from Paris.

The brokerage will be officially launched at a special event at this year's Middle East Business Aviation conference (MEBA) which will be attended by over 100 leading industry figures, media and customers. Madone continues, "We are very excited to be launching 28 East and believe that we will quickly carve a niche position in the brokerage market. Launching with an Airbus ACJ319 and other Global models demonstrates the quality of the aircraft we will be handling and shows vendors we are confident in our capabilities to ensure a sale. We saw an opportunity and given the renewed buoyancy of the business jet market this year, we feel certain this is the right time to launch"

28 East launched their new website www.28east.com at MEBA featuring exclusive aircraft listings.