Newcastle private jet company Naljets has invested in a new luxury aircraft after seeing demand for its services take off during the pandemic.
Naljets, based and operating from Newcastle International Airport, was launched by pilot Craig McLeod in 2009 and has since jetted some of the world’s most high profile people to all corners of the globe.
Byker-born Mr McLeod’s business has been helping doctors, business professionals, and specialist equipment all over the UK, Ireland, and Europe throughout the pandemic.
The firm’s latest acquisition, a luxury six-seater Cessna Citation CJ jet, has been almost fully-booked since snapping it up.
The jet joins the rest of the fleet, which includes the region’s most valuable private jet, a $25m luxury Challenger 350 aircraft, acquired on behalf of an international client.
Naljets’ latest acquisition marks a new period of investment and growth for the company, which has formed a strategic alliance with Bookajet, a jet charter and management company based in Farnborough, Hampshire.
Capable of flying up to six passengers, at a cruise speed of 400mph, and as far afield as Majorca and Rome, the new jet can be ready from booking to take off in under an hour-and-a-half.
Mr McLeod, Naljets’ managing director, said: “The Citation is a super handy little jet capable of flying anyone, to anywhere, within a 1,300 mile range in one go.
“The impact Covid has had on scheduled flights all over the UK and around Europe has meant that non-scheduled, on demand charter, has become a real alternative for business and professional people and, this is why we have brought the jet to Newcastle.
“Charter is safe because passengers can travel in their own bubble and, because we fly direct to final destinations, an out and return trip that might have taken say three days, can be reduced to one.
“We received approval to fly paying passengers from the UK Civil Aviation Authority just two weeks ago and our jet has been almost fully booked ever since.
“We are flying doctors, business people and specialist equipment all over the UK, Ireland, and Europe.”
A business jet like the Citation will cost around £5,000 flying to London or £16,000 for a return trip to Barcelona.
Mr McLeod added: “A small jet like the Citation Jet Series is very cost effective compared with some of Naljets’ bigger business jets and, both its flexibility, combined with our ability to clean and sterilise the entire interior after every flight, makes it a highly desirable, safe alternative to other forms of travel.”
