Airlec Air Espace (ARL, Bordeaux Mérignac) and VallJet (VLJ, Paris Le Bourget) have formed a strategic partnership which will include ownership changes and both companies becoming sister carriers under the same holding.
"This strategic alliance involves equity transfers, resulting in both companies coming together under a unified ownership framework. Our goal is to optimise our operations by maximising integration and mutualisation of resources. We believe that this merger will enable us to better navigate the complexities of today's aviation industry - including regulatory, geopolitical, and economic challenges - and to provide enhanced services to our clients," Airlec Managing Director Paul Tiba told ch-aviation.
The companies plan to unveil a new brand for the partnership "soon".
Airlec Air Espace currently owns and operates two Swearingen Metroliner SA-226-T(B)s. It also operates two BAe-125-1000Bs, one Hawker 900XP, one Citation I/SP, and one Citation II, one Falcon 900EX, and one Mooney M20K registered in France. The company specialises in air ambulance and executive charter flights and runs its operations from bases at Bordeaux Mérignac and Paris Le Bourget airports.
In turn, VallJet and its subsidiary Thalair (TLJ) own and operate two Citation IIs, three E145s, one Beech C90A, two Citation Jets, one Citation Jet 1, and one Citation Jet 1+. The companies also operate a further Hawker 800XP, a Hawker 800XPi, three Hawker 900XPs, one E135, three Legacy 600s, two Legacy 650s, three Citation IIs, one Citation Jet, one Citation Jet 1, three Citation Jet 2s, one Citation Jet 2+, one Citation Jet 3, and two Citation M2s. While the company operates mainly out of Le Bourget, it also bases some aircraft at Lyon St. Exupéry, Lille Lesquin, Nice, and Valence airports.
