A global downturn means many companies are trimming costs including executive jet travel. Yet prospects for ABS Jets continue to rise above most economic woes

ABS Jets are the winners of our Best Business Aviation Award. It’s a clear win for this dynamic, young Czech company which has built its business model on its ability to provide an unrivalled range of aircraft solutions to a fast-growing clientele. Jan Vana, commercial director of ABS Jets says the Prague and Bratislava-based company’s business model was designed from the outset to ensure it could cut the whole gamut of aircraft services, from executive charter services to aircraft management and maintenance, business aviation handling and travel management.

It’s a wide remit but one Vana and his team have wholeheartedly embraced. “I have to say there are very few companies providing this range and level of service. Normally you will find an aviation company who will specialise either as the aircraft operator or in the maintenance side of an operation or the handling and travel management. But all of them? That’s highly unusual. And we’re glad to be unusual. It also makes us stand out.”

While many charter and private jet companies are actively seeing demand for their services decline, demand for ABS’ services continues to rise. Inevitably demand for charter aircraft has dropped off slightly in recent months, particularly from Western Europe, but overall demand for aviation services is definitely up. And ABS’ young fleet is expanding on the back of this pressure. It recently took delivery of their fifth Embraer Legacy 600 jets just before going to press. A Bombardier Learjet 60 XR supplements these five Legacies, plus ABS also has two Cessna Citation Bravos. “We’re very proud of the fact that it is a young fleet. All our aircraft are either new, or nearly new. We only have one aircraft that dates back to 2002.” Vana also knows that a young, very well maintained fleet is also an obvious draw for clients.

Global 24/7 services
Be it large international organisations based in Prague or sports and media stars, clients choose ABS Jets for many reasons. But what they especially value is ABS’ ability to match a plane to the client’s needs rapidly says Jan Vana. “Our sales office is open 24/7. And we can usually respond in a matter of minutes. A client may call and say they need to fly from Prague to London that afternoon. We take pride in a quick answer, always. And we can usually make sure that we have that flight ready to go from just three hours notice. That’s very responsive service. Also, because our fleet of planes is now fairly substantial, we an often offer a client a wide range of aircraft so it should always fit their needs, even saving them money where it’s practical.”

Consistent service performance
It’s sometimes difficult to put a finger on why some companies outperform their competitors. Vana himself doesn’t attempt to isolate why ABS has been so successful. He says he’d rather focus on ensuring consistent customer retention.