Malone AirCharter (MAD, Jacksonville International, FL) has resumed charter operations with Bombardier Business Aircraft following the addition of a Challenger 300. In an exclusive interview with ch-aviation, president and chief executive Cristine Kirk said the company was also in the process of inducting a Citation XLS+ to the charter certificate.

The new Challenger 300, N88HD (msn 20344), is a 13.4-year-old aircraft configured for up to nine passengers. "We are excited to have one again", Kirk said, recalling Malone’s previous experience with the type in 2021 and 2022. "Our maintenance team became very solid on the inner workings of it, especially in terms of the engine programmes and avionics."

The Challenger 300 joins a charter fleet currently comprising two Citation aircraft, a Citation Jet 3 and a Citation Sovereign. Kirk also confirmed that a 15.5-year-old Citation XLS+, N427PM (msn 560-6052), also configured for nine passengers, will be added soon. "We’re really great with any Citation product and very comfortable with the Challenger 300 series. That’s our wheelhouse," she said.

At the same time, Malone phased out the only Falcon 50 it operated, N777UV (msn 176). "We brought it in for charter but expectations were not met. As an older aircraft, it had a lot of maintenance issues," Kirk explained. The Dassault Aviation aircraft, currently 38.2 years old, was eventually sold by the owner. "It needed maintenance so often that the owners could not even fly when they wanted to."

Lowering ownership costs through charter

Operating as both an aircraft management and charter company, Malone does not own the aircraft it manages. "When owners aren’t using their aircraft, we use them for charter under our Part 135 certificate." As Kirk explained, the focus is not on generating profit but reducing ownership costs. "There’s a misconception that owners can make money off their planes. The goal is to lower the cost of ownership."

The company’s management client base is evenly split between large aviation vendors and local customers. "About 50% are major players like Wheels Up, NetJets Aviation, and Executive Jet Management, for whom we provide supplemental lift. The other half includes local executives, business owners, and corporations arranging travel for their leadership teams," she said.

When sourcing aircraft, Malone takes a tailored, market-driven approach. "The Challenger 300 is a great option for clients looking for a popular jet within budget," Kirk said. "But for short hops, it might be too much. It’s about finding the right fit." The company has declined management opportunities based on aircraft type. "We’ve tried managing other types - like a Hawker Beechcraft and the Falcon 50 - but if I know I can’t charter it effectively, I wouldn’t suggest buying one."

Charter market rebounds after election-year dip

As a presidential election year, 2024 was challenging for the United States charter market. "My clients tend to reduce their amount of travel just based on uncertainty," Kirk said. Now in 2025, she observes the industry rebounding as expected. "Last year, people were chartering more economical aircraft like light jets or turboprops. This year, demand is up for midsize and super-midsize jets."

Asked about Malone AirCharter’s role in the long-range and ultra-long-range segment, Kirk said the company is open to it but not currently active in that market. "If a local client wanted us to manage a long-range jet, we’d absolutely consider it," she said. "Demand seems steady, but since we don’t manage anything in that category, it hasn’t been a focus."

Malone is based at Jacksonville International, FL where it also maintains a hangar. "The East Coast is just as busy as ever," she said, noting that temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) around West Palm Beach International occasionally pose challenges. "President Trump goes down there now and then. The last four years, we had them up in Wilmington New Castle." While coast-to-coast flights happen, they’re less frequent. "West Coast travel is lighter. The East Coast is where the demand is, as far as I can tell."

On the charter side, Malone serves a balanced mix of leisure and business travellers. "I take as many people to golfing opportunities as I do to meetings," Kirk said. The operator also caters to retirees travelling with family. Since the pandemic, remote work has reshaped travel patterns. "People can work anywhere these days," she added, noting that in-flight Wi-Fi is now one of the most common client requests.

Post-COVID issues persist amid tariff uncertainty

Supply chain constraints remain a concern, though Malone has largely managed them. "Fortunately, with the Textron Aviation and Citation products, I haven’t had too much difficulty," Kirk said. Bombardier Challenger aircraft have also been reliable in this regard. Other types, however, present more challenges. "Falcon 50 parts are getting harder to find as the aircraft age," she noted. "One reason I avoid Hawker aircraft is the windshield and tire supply issues - they’ve been problematic for years."

Although Malone has not recently faced an engine overhaul, Kirk noted persistent industry-wide shortages, particularly regarding rental engines. “My understanding is that some of this still traces back to COVID," she said.

The company handles most maintenance in-house with a director of maintenance and two mechanics. "As much as we can do in-house, we will," she said. However, certain tasks are outsourced for safety and technical reasons.

Kirk also pointed to growing confusion in the industry surrounding tariffs on aircraft and parts. "There’s a lot of grey area right now," she said. "If a part carries a tariff, or the aircraft does when it’s resold, how does that work? Nobody seems to know for sure."

She noted that the issue is already affecting aircraft transactions. "Someone in the industry recently told me about an owner trying to sell their aircraft, but the buyer backed out because of the added tariff. It’s a real concern, and there aren’t clear answers yet."