New aviation services provider iFuel to target biz jet market.

Monday 14th January 2013

Initial focus on Russia and CIS.

A trio of established European aviation businesses have come together to create iFuel, a new aviation fuel and associated services provider. London-based charter broker Open Aero, fuel supplier Jet Aero Fuels (JAF) and Switzerland-based 28 East Group have signed an agreement to form the new company which will support strategic expansion plans for all three businesses. The deal was ratified at the recent MEBA Show in Dubai in December 2012.

JAF will provide 28 East Group and Open Aero's partners with competitively priced fuel, together with ground handling services. It is anticipated that savings of up to 28-30% will be available for clients operating within the auspices of the iFuel arrangement. With an initial focus on the CIS region, where the founders all have a strong presence, iFuel will be offering services at most of the CIS airports including Russia's main hubs such as Sheremetyevo and Domodedovo International Airports, Almaty and Astana airports, Kazakhstan, Boryspil Airport, Kiev, Ukraine; Baku Airport, Azerbaijan and Tbilisi, Georgia.

JAF has been providing fuel and aviation services to commercial and military operators since 2006. General Director of JAF, Rinad El-Rabaa will become President of iFuel. Owing to JAF's extensive network of global fuel suppliers from which it sources and sells fuel in bulk iFuel is confident it will be able to compete with established players in the CIS, European and African markets.

The newly formed partnership with 28 East Group and Open Aero will widen the scope of JAF's services to incorporate a business aviation offering. For 28 East Group and Open Aero the deal will ensure that new and existing clients together with aircraft operators will receive favourably priced fuel and ground handling fees when passing through airports offering iFuel services.

"As fuel is the most significant operational cost of any charter we anticipate that having direct access to aviation gas and premium ground handling services, at beneficial rates, will ensure large jet charters will select iFuel in the future. This deal buoys up 28 East Group's commitment to providing aviation clients with the best service and pricing possible, and more importantly will open further potential markets for all of the iFuel partners in the CIS region and further afield," said Erica Da Veiga, partner of 28 East Group.

• About 28 East Group:

Based in Switzerland, 28 East Group is an independent aviation company specialising in air charter, consultancy, and aircraft acquisition and sales services. It is the holding group for Vertis Aviation AG, Vertis Aviation Ltd, 28 East Group Services and SkyDragon.

Vertis Aviation AG and Vertis Aviation Ltd provide charter broker services offering a portfolio of luxury aircraft sourced from preferred partners for which it markets exclusively. The virtual fleet includes an ACJ, Bombardier Global Express, Bombardier Global Express XRS and a Dassault Falcon 7 X. Vertis also has access to hundreds of other aircraft worldwide through a preferred network of owners and operators.

28 East Group Services advises on aircraft acquisition, operation cost management advice, purchase audits, completion projects, charter advice amongst other aviation services.

SkyDragon Aero provides a project management app for the completions market which enables users to upload progress reports in the form of documents, photographs, descriptions and videos. Utilised by completions managers the app provides real time information about the status of the completion project which can be accessed internationally.

28 East Group is two years old and managed by Jeffrey Emmenis, Luca Madone and Erica Da Veiga all of which are experienced aviation professionals. iFuel is the latest in a number of aviation acquisition and expansion projects planned for 2013.

• About Jet Aero Fuels:

JAF, which has been in operation for seven years, is a London-based aircraft refueling and flight services provider serving clients in London, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the CIS countries.

An extensive global supply network enables JAF to offer a unique range of services to an international audience. In addition to offering on-site fuel storage facilities, JAF also provides flight charter options, ground handling and can fulfill other aviation requirements on request.

JAF is run by Rinad El Rabaa who has an extensive background in the aviation fuel industry.

• About Open Aero:

Open Aero is a London-based aviation services provider offering private charters on a range of aircraft from helicopters through to heavy jets. In addition to charters Open Aero offers a full range of travel services including tailor-made packages, yacht charter, hotel accommodation and limo services for the discerning traveller.Open Aero and JAF work in partnership to deliver services that aim to maximise aviation buiness' efficiency by jointly providing aircraft, fuel and handling at competitive ratesOpen.Aero is managed by Tatiana Tektova who has spent considerable time working with the Russian and CIS sector.

• Photo:- L to R back Luca Madone Partner 28 East Group, Rinad El Rabaa President of iFuel, Jeffrey Emmenis Partner 28 East Group, L to R Front Erica Da Veiga Partner 28 East Group, Tatiana Tektova Owner Open Aero.

www.28eastgroup.com

www.jetaerofuels.aero

www.open.aero

www.ifuel.aero (under construction)