Bernard Van Milders (FLYINGGROUP): “Convert our airports to gigantic green power plants”
FLYINGGROUP solidifies growth in 2022
FLYINGGROUP, the largest business jet operator in the Benelux, has completed a strong financial year in 2022. The consolidated group turnover amounted to 155 million euro, an increase of 41% compared to 2021 and a doubling of 2019’s result. Chairman Bernard Van Milders aims to pioneer sustainable commercial aviation with FLYINGGROUP. Consequently, FLYINGGROUP became a launch customer for Vertical Aerospace’s VX4 eVTOL aircraft in 2022. Furthermore, an agreement was reached with Eviation regarding their electric aircraft Alice. Van Milders also makes a plea to convert Flanders’ regional airports to gigantic green power plants: “The energy requirements will only continue to increase in the coming years. If we want to match this pace of growth in sustainable energy production we must dare to consider all options, including installing solar panels on the unused areas adjacent to runways and taxiways.”
In 2022 FLYINGGROUP continued its positive trend of the previous years. By focusing on efficiency, expanding its charter activities, and re-launching the FLYINGPARTNERS shared ownership programme, the company was able to boost the group’s consolidated turnover. FLYINGGROUP recently took on the management of a brand-new Dassault Falcon 900LX. “It will be joined soon by a Falcon 2000S and a Falcon 2000LXS. Our Maltese subsidiary Hyperion and FLYINGGROUP Middle East are experiencing dynamic growth and fleet development. Our company’s structure allows us to accommodate a sizeable increase in aircraft management clients. Our team is ready”, emphasises Van Milders.
New aircraft for shared ownership programme FLYINGPARTNERS
Currently, the shared ownership programme consists of one Cessna CJ3+ belonging to five parties. During 2023 FLYINGGROUP will welcome a second Cessna CJ3+, followed by a third Cessna CJ3+ and a Pilatus PC-24 in 2024.
Bernard Van Milders: “Aviation stretches beyond mere aircraft. FLYINGGROUP combines premium service and responsibility. We acknowledge that flying impacts the environment. Therefore, we continue to minimise our ecological footprint with the aim to become climate neutral.”
FLYINGGROUP’s pledge to protect the environment is not just a statement. The company's Antwerp headquarters is 100% energy-neutral and built with state-of-the-art sustainable technology. The structure produces more energy than it consumes. A geothermal installation is placed 150 meters below the surface and the building’s roof and front face are covered in 700 m² of photovoltaic solar panels. Moreover, FLYINGGROUP is actively using and researching SAF (sustainable aviation fuel) applications.
“We don’t just want to adapt, we want to evolve. We genuinely believe in emission-free air transport”, says Van Milders. “That is why we are investing time, energy, and resources in the very latest aircraft technology, including electric and carbon emission-free planes, which we aim to integrate into our fleet soon.”
Airports to become green power plants
FLYINGGROUP cooperates with other companies and government agencies to shape business aviation’s future. “The airport operators will play a crucial role. We are committed to collaborating with them to develop and implement a long-term strategy for the airports in Flanders. Infrastructure and technology investments will bring sustainable solutions to reduce aviation’s ecological impact. Without impeding on aviation’s activities or its safety, it is feasible to construct enormous photovoltaic solar parks on the aerodromes in the short term”, Van Milders claims. “This is no science fiction. Examples in the Netherlands, Germany, and Austria show that it is a viable idea. The sustainable energy produced by these green airport power plants can be used to charge the electric aircraft of the future. It is a concrete proposal that has a positive impact on the environment.”
About FLYINGGROUP
FLYINGGROUP has been active since 1995 from Antwerp, where the head office is also located. Over the years, the company has expanded its activities to other airbases in Europe and the Middle East (Brussels, Kortrijk-Wevelgem, Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Luxembourg, Paris, Geneva, Malta, and Dubai). Its aircraft are based throughout Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
FLYINGGROUP holds three AOCs (Belgium, Luxembourg, and Malta) and takes care of the entire management of its customers’ business aircraft, including maintenance, CAMO, certification, crew management, charter sales, and flight operations. The pursuit of high-quality service has led to ever-increasing customer confidence. As a result, the company is a reference in private and business aviation in Europe.
FLYINGGROUP currently manages about 50 aircraft. In 2022, 7,254 flights were performed to 635 unique destinations in 140 countries. FLYINGGROUP has 335 experienced employees worldwide, including 207 flight crew members
www.flyinggroup.aero