FAI Aviation Group builds on outstanding 2022; Reports positive Q1 and Berlin MRO success

Friday 19th May 2023

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FAI Aviation Group, Germany’s  leading global provider of mission-critical aviation services, offering fixed-wing air ambulance, special missions, charter and aircraft management, as well as full MRO services returns to EBACE this week in buoyant mood.  The company, now in its 36th year, opened FAI Technik’s new maintenance base at Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) in February and business has kept solid into 2023 across its business.

 

FAI’s Berlin facility has been fully booked since it opened the MRO, completing base and line maintenance on around 30 Hawker and Beechcraft series aircraft so far. The facility is attracting clients mostly from Europe and Africa.

 

FAI is also widening its workforce with the addition of circa 10 team members including engineers, mechanics, bolstering its Berlin headcount to around 40 qualified professionals.

 

FAI Technik`s Managing Director Michael Axtmann comments: “We’ve enjoyed three highly successful months of FAI Technik’s MRO business in Berlin. The hangar floor has been full since we opened and looks to remain so for at least the next few months.  It’s been a great start for us and we look forward to welcoming many more customers in the future.”

 

The Berlin facility complements FAI Technik’s existing centre of competence for base maintenance and modifications of Learjet and Bombardier aircraft at its headquarters  at Albrecht Duerer Airport, Nuremberg.   With labour production close to 100,000 man-hours, 2022 marked the busiest year for FAI Technik since it was established more than 30 years ago.

 

Strong Q1 results follow outstanding 2022

Following record sales across the business in 2022 with consolidated group revenues of more than €130m, Q1 results were up by close to 20% across the group compared with 2022.  Charter revenues and air ambulance revenues both increased by 16%. These results come as charter sales continue to slow down, both within Europe and transcontinentally, also FAI’s operations face the ongoing  challenge of high fuel prices.

 

A leader in the long-haul air ambulance sector,  FAI’s award-winning air ambulance business is a cornerstone of its offering. Since the end of the pandemic, the group has experienced a steady increase in air ambulance work, completing approximately 600 missions over the past 12 months, up 10% compared with the same period last year. Despite a challenging outlook owing to uncertain global economics, FAI remains optimistic for 2023 in this sector.

 

McLaren Racing partnership success

 

FAI has successfully partnered with world famous race team, McLaren Racing as their official aviation provider since early 2020. The collaboration with this strong brand has enabled FAI to raise its profile within the Formula 1 community. It has also underlined its reputation as a professional and reliable operator. FAI anticipates continuing its relationship with McLaren into 2024.

 

“F1 racing has a strong alliance and many synergies with business aviation so I’m pleased to see that Toto Wolff, Team Principal of the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team, and F1 executive Susie Wolff will be opening the EBACE show as keynote speakers. Our partnership with McLaren has been hugely positive for us and we look forward to continuing to support them,” stated Siegfried Axtmann, FAI`s Chairman and Founder.

 

FAI Aviation Group's headquarters  at Albrecht

Duerer Airport, Nuremberg, Germany

 

 

About FAI Technik

 

FAI Technik is a 100 % subsidiary of German GA-Operator FAI rent-a-jet GmbH. Operating as a full service FBO and MRO, FAI Technik at Nuremberg is licensed for base and line maintenance of the Learjet 60, Challenger 600-series and Bombardier Global Express 700-series, including modifications, aviation upgrades, interior refurbishment and component services such as batteries and wheels.   FAI´s EASA part 145 licence is approved by the Cayman Islands and Bermuda, as well as the US FAA and Nigeria.  FAI Technik Nuremberg is a distributor for Collins Aerospace, Gogo Business Aviation and GARMIN.

 

About FAI Aviation Group  

 

FAI Aviation Group operates Germany´s largest fleet of Bombardier business jets. The fleet includes five Global Express, six Challenger 604s and seven Learjet 60s. FAI runs a 14,000 m² carbon-neutral fixed-base operation at its Nuremberg, Germany headquarters, employing a staff of close to 300 people, including 70 mechanics and engineers at its in-house MRO FAI Technik GmbH and another 30 staff at its Berlin base.  FAI´s Group consolidated revenues in 2022 were close to € 130 m with a fleet utilization of more than 12,000 hours of flight time.

 

FAI was proud to receive the Diamond Safety of Flight Award from the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) in May 2018, marking the highest safety recognition awarded by EBAA to member companies operating business aircraft for 50 years or 100.000 hours without accident.

In 2019 FAI received a 10-year anniversary award from MEBAA, reflecting the fact that 20 % of its flying activity is now in the Middle East and was honored with an Aviation Annual Achievement Award, in recognition of its 30 years of air ambulance and special mission flying.

In 2020 and 2021 FAI received the prestigious Award “Air Ambulance Company of the Year” from ITIJ Magazine.

 

In 2021, FAI was awarded the Pandemic Response Special Award in recognition of its response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

In 2022, FAI was awarded “20 years of Aviation Excellence in the Middle East” by MEA Business at the Aviation Innovation Awards.

FAI is official supplier of the McLaren Formula 1 Team.