SPARFELL Aviation Group is set to expand its fleet in 2025, with three new aircraft scheduled for delivery in the first half of the year, Managing Director Bernhard Wipfler revealed to ch-aviation. The company is also exploring the possibility of an additional AOC within the next one to two years.
The first addition, a Gulfstream Aerospace G500, is expected in January and will be registered in Austria as the first unit of the type in the fleet of SPARFELL Luftfahrt but not for the group, as SPARFELL Malta already operates a unit of that type. Two Bombardier Business Aircraft of undisclosed types will follow, with one confirmed to be Austrian-registered and the other likely to be registered in Malta, under the AOC of SPARFELL Malta.
The company also anticipates that its ACJ319-100, OE-LJC (msn 1556), currently undergoing refurbishment and maintenance in Basel/Mulhouse/Freiburg, CH, will be operational by Summer 2025. "It's a big project, and we are looking forward to having it flying," Wipfler explained. "We believe in that segment. Having airliners in a VIP configuration, available for charter, is an interesting market with demand where we want to grow."
Addressing the potential for expanding into group and sports charter with non-VIP airliners, Wipfler indicated no immediate plans. "If a client is looking for an operator, we would be happy to accommodate them, but we are not pursuing that segment actively," he said.
Currently, SPARFELL operates 17 aircraft in Austria, including an ACJ319-100, three Challenger 300s, three Challenger 350s, a Citation Jet 2+, a Dassault Aviation Falcon 7X, a G280, a G650(ER), a G650ER, two Global 7500s, a Global Express XRS, a Legacy 500, and a Praetor 600. The company recently retired the only Challenger 3500 from the Austrian fleet. SPARFELL Malta operates four ultra-long-range jets under its AOC, comprising a GVII-G500, a Global 6000, a Global 6500, and a recently inducted Global 7500. Wipfler noted growing demand for aircraft management in Malta and expects fleet growth in the region.
New AOC opportunities
Earlier this year, in an exclusive interview with ch-aviation, Wipfler highlighted SPARFELL’s strong relationship with Austrian authorities regarding its local AOC, a sentiment that remains unchanged. "We are very satisfied with the AOCs we hold. We have great support from local governments, particularly the civil aviation authorities in Austria, Malta, and San Marino," he stated.
Looking ahead, SPARFELL’s shareholders are considering an additional AOC within the next one to two years. Wipfler acknowledged the challenges of increased bureaucracy and costs but noted the potential synergies and operational flexibility such an expansion could bring.
2024 charter market review
Reflecting on 2024, Wipfler described the charter market as stable, albeit less robust than in previous years. Major sporting events in Europe, including the Euro 2024 football tournament in Germany and the Olympic Games in Paris, had limited impact on SPARFELL’s operations. "Those events primarily benefited the light jet segment, which is not our focus," he remarked.
Despite subchartering smaller jets during peak summer demand, SPARFELL has no plans to expand its fleet in the light jet category. "If someone with a smaller jet is interested in our aircraft management services, we are always open to discussions, but it is not a priority for us," Wipfler concluded.
