Marmor, a past president of the International Aircraft Dealers Association (IADA), has been involved in aircraft sales for almost 25 years.

“We are privileged to welcome Zipporah to the Opus team,” says Alexandre Lombard, CEO and owner, Opus Aero. “Her extensive experience and proven track record make her an invaluable asset as we embark on our next chapter of growth in North America.”

Marmor started her career at Bombardier in marketing before moving to aircraft sales. She then worked as vice president of sales for NewJet International – then Bombardier’s representative for Monaco, Italy, and Switzerland. She joined ACASS in 2012 rising to vice president of aircraft transactions.

“I am excited to work with Alexandre and the whole Opus team, to expand our footprint in North America,” said Marmor. “Developing our market in the USA and Canada, leveraging Opus’ outstanding reputation and experience, is a natural progression for me.”

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Andre Khury, CEO, ACASS said it is an exciting time in ACASS’s growth. “Both Claudio and Stevan bring a wealth of experience in their respective areas of expertise to the table. They fit in perfectly with our existing team and will be tremendous assets as we continue to expand our global service offerings and our presence and capabilities in the UK and throughout Europe,” he said.

Peer, the new vice president, will be based in Zürich, Switzerland. He will focus on speeding the growth of ACASS’s worldwide aircraft management fleet and strengthening its charter services. (Pictured above is a Gulfstream G450 offered for charter by the company).

Backed by more than 30 years of industry experience, Peer began his career at Swissair, moving from the hangar floor to the engineering department. He has held senior leadership roles, including most recently, vice president of Regional Sales for Aircraft Management and Charter Sales at Jet Aviation.

New sales director Tojagic will be based in London and will focus on increasing ACASS’s growth in the UK and Northern Europe. He has more than 12 years of business aviation experience. Most recently he worked for Bombardier as regional sales manager in its International Services Sales division. Before that, he operated his own jet charter business.

New at ACASS: (L to R) Claudio Peer and Stevan Tojagic.

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Joby Avation, Vertical Aerospace and Archer Aviation are just three of the pioneers in our feature. With next year earmarked as entry into service for the front runners, we examine how they raise capital, navigate their flight path through aircraft design, plan target markets and winning certification approvals. eVTOLS: Commercial take off in the 2020s?

CJIQ’s exclusive survey of the latest trends in private jet connectivity reveals a “Watershed moment”, according to our research partner Inmarsat. Our exclusive survey of nearly 100 private jet owners, charter operators, corporates, fractionals, brokers and advisers, uncovers the latest connectivity trends and preferences. We capture the current state of private jet aviation connectivity in just eight questions. CJI Connectivity Survey: Reveals ‘watershed moment’ 

Staying with connectivity, we explore how monitoring jet power plants in-flight can alert technicians to emerging problems in real time. This exciting new technology can improve engine efficiency, cut maintenance down time and costs and help to save lives, according to the leading manufacturers and other businesses we consulted. Engine connectivity: Revving up to reap the benefits

This edition also pays tribute to the late Athar Husain Khan, former secretary-general, European Business Aviation Association. Talking to colleagues and friends on both sides of the Atlantic, it’s clear business aviation lost a passionate advocate with the sad passing of Khan earlier this year. Remembering Athar Husain Khan

Three aviation businesses featuring in this edition are ACASS, EY Law and London Biggin Hill Airport. ACASS offers insight on aircraft management. Managing aircraft for clients is demanding at the best of times and even more difficult during a global pandemic, according to the Montreal company. (ACASS makes a second appearance in our Day in the Life section – details to follow). Aircraft management: Insight from ACASS

Legal specialists EY Law explains the three factors, it says, are influencing progress on sustainability in business aviation. The sustainability challenge: Three key drivers 

London Biggin Hill Airport takes centre stage in our Aircraft Family feature. Andrew Walters, who with his son Robert, runs the iconic Biggin on the Bump, recalls how the location has proved pivotal three times in his life. And how to navigate the potential benefits and pitfalls of managing a family aviation business. Aircraft Family: ‘Biggin Hill in my blood since 22’ 

We also report from Austria from the factory of jet interiors specialist F/LIST. We report how the business is creating a new world of shapeshifting cabin furniture, thanks to the novel materials it has created. F/LIST: Cabin shapeshifters save space 

Some 600 business leaders attended our London conference in February this year. The twin themes were the viability of business aviation and how to improve its sustainability record. We catch a flavour of both the debate and the many networking events delegates enjoyed.

CJI London 2023 and CJI London Party

We close this edition with planes and an industry personality. Jet Data delivers all the key metrics covering business jet performance, cabin and exterior dimensions and, of course, prices in our handy guide. Jet Data: The vital numbers you need to know.

The personality featuring in our popular Day in the Life feature is Zipporah Marmor, vice president Aircraft Transactions at aviation brokerage, management and services company ACASS. Here’s how Marmor juggles her role at ACASS, with her position as chair of International Aircraft Dealers Association (IADA) and motherhood before finding time to lift 250lbs weights for fun. We weigh up her busy day. Day in the Life: Zipporah Marmor, ACASS 

Meanwhile, you can read the Digital version of Corporate Jet Investor Quarterly Q2 2023 here. And why not register for your free copy of the print publication here. (If you enjoy reading our features, please share the link with friends and colleages). Plus if you would like to suggest a feature article for a forthcoming edition, please contact Mike Stones. And thanks for reading us.

Zipporah Marmor juggles her roles at ACASS and IADA with motherhood and lifting 250lbs weights.

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Sanusi was most recently the CEO of NG Eagle, a Nigerian start up airline. Prior to that, he held positions as CEO and managing director of Aero Contractors in Nigeria, and has served as captain for companies such as ExxonMobil and Arik Air.

“ACASS has been especially devoted to the African market for decades,” said Robert Habjanic, vice president of Sales, Africa, ACASS. “We are thrilled to have Ado on the team to further expand our reach and continued growth in the region. His regional experience and knowledge will be invaluable for both ACASS and our clients.”

Back in September, ACASS received its second consecutive renewal of its IS-BAO Stage 3 registration from the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC).

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The frenzy that was present in the market since the pandemic is subsiding, according to Zipporah Marmor, vice president of Aircraft Transactions at ACASS and board chair at the International Aircraft Dealers Association (IADA).

She told Corporate Jet Investor (CJI) at CJI London 2023: “We will see a rationalisation of behaviour [this year]. The frenzy of the previous years has subsided for the most part. But we’re still in a really strong position with a great value proposition for our industry.”

Last year was the strongest year for private jet sales in the history of the association, with 1,399 deals closed and a resale volume of $9.3bn in sales for 2022. In its fourth quarter (Q4) report, IADA found that more deals fell through in Q4 than any other quarter in the year.

Marmor told CJI this was because buyers are being more cautious. “Everybody is watching the news and starting to think about the big R [recession] word and is it coming and how fast and how hard,” she said. “Those who didn’t have the real urgency to acquire were finding reasons perhaps to postpone a little bit.”

IADA’s executive director Wayne Starling also spoke to CJI at the London conference about a slowdown in the market, which you can watch here.

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The certification is the highest-level registration issued by IBAC and has been awarded to only a select group of aircraft operators worldwide. It verifies that Safety Management System (SMS) activities are fully integrated into the Montreal-based company’s aircraft management operations and that a positive safety culture is consistently sustained.

“Everyone at ACASS knows how thoroughly committed we are to operational safety, but this recognition by IBAC reaffirms it for our clients and the business aviation community worldwide,” said Derek Holter, vice president of Operations, ACASS. “Even in the midst of the major pandemic-related challenges of the last couple years, our safety standards and practice shave remained impeccable.”

IBAC will complete audits every two to three years to ensure conformance with standards and recommended practices.

“In our business, if your commitment to safety is in question, nothing else you do can compensate for it,” said Andre Khury, CEO, ACASS. “That being the case, the renewal of our IS-BAO Stage 3 registration is one of the most important recognitions we, as a company, can receive and something we all take great pride in.”

In 2020, ACASS expanded its global footprint with the launch of ACASS Ireland, which combined its services with Irish private aviation operator SONAS.

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ACASS Ireland offers charter and private and commercial aircraft management solutions in the UK and throughout Europe from its bases at Shannon Airport, Ireland, and Farnborough in the UK. As an Irish Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) holder, the company can provide free circulation and unfettered traffic rights throughout Europe and the 44 countries covered by EU bilateral agreements, including the US and Canada.

ACASS Ireland President Graham Williamson told Corporate Jet Investor that ACASS Ireland can offer two components that complement the other ACASS products and services. “Ireland adds a fully Commercial AOC in Europe that can manage aircraft for HNWI [High Net Worth Individuals] and corporate clients who need European registration under an EASA certificate,” said Williamson.

“In addition, the ACASS Ireland team is highly focused on the charter market, our first aircraft are 100% available for third party charter. While ACASS’s existing business processes and infrastructure, perfected over 25 years of delivering business aviation support services, offers ACASS Ireland every resource to answer any client need they might encounter.”

Bombardier Challenger 605

The company was launched with an initial London-based Bombardier Challenger 605 (EJ-AWES) and has already conducted repatriation charter flights to numerous locations. “Covid-19 measures diminish every day and we are seeing good forward bookings into June and July and beyond,” said Williamson. “We believe business aviation is looking to be the smart option for the rest of the year. ACASS Ireland will be introducing a second Challenger 605 [EJ-ROXY], also on the Irish register, in early July, also fully available for charter based in the UK.”

The ACASS Group was a significant shareholder in SONAS Aviation from its inception and the shareholding remains unchanged. SONAS Aviation has now been combined with ACASS Ireland and is a fully integrated part of the global ACASS group. The management team of ACASS Ireland  includes: Russell Allchorne, chief operating officer and director of Flight Operations; Keith Brennan, technical director; Andrew Hodgson, commercial director; Patricia Davis, director of Compliance and Safety.

‘Expands our charter capabilities’

Andre Khury, ACASS CEO, said the formation of ACASS Ireland marked the culmination of nearly two years of planning. “ACASS Ireland is a major milestone for us in several ways,” said Khury. “First, it builds on our already strong physical presence in Europe. Second, it exponentially expands our charter capabilities. And, finally, it allows us to offer our clients very flexible management options in a post-Brexit world.” ACASS already does business in Europe and offers clients the benefits of San Marino commercial registration, said Khury.

Williamson added: “We recognise this is a challenging time for our industry and most of the world. But now more than ever, private aviation users need options and support they can depend on. ACASS Ireland can deliver the comprehensive bespoke solutions and the same highly experienced team SONAS was known for with the peace of mind and resources of a global leader like ACASS.” 

 Graham Williamson, ACASS Ireland President, (left) is pictured with Andre Khury,  ACASS CEO.

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The award, made by the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC), verifies that safety management system activities are fully integrated into ACASS’s aircraft management operations and that the company consistently maintains a positive safety culture.

“We are very proud of this recognition of our commitment to unsurpassed operational safety and the advances we have made since our first IS-BAO Stage 1 registration in 2008.”

Jean Valiquette, ACASS VP of operations, said: “We are very proud of this recognition of our commitment to unsurpassed operational safety and the advances we have made since our first IS-BAO Stage 1 registration in 2008. It is also a clear recognition of the exceptional safety culture sustained by our staff around the world.”

Pictured left to right are Scott Macpherson (chairman, IBAC), Kurt Edwards (director general, IBAC), Andre Khury (CEO and president, ACASS), and Kevin Harris (VP of programmes and delivery operations, ACASS)

The International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations was introduced by IBAC in 2003. It is a code of best practice to help flight departments worldwide achieve a superior level of safety and professionalism. The IS-BAO Stage 3 is the highest level registration issued by IBAC and has been awarded to only a select group of aircraft operators worldwide.

Andre Khury, ACASS president and CEO, added: “Safety is obviously the bedrock of everything we do and all of the support services we provide. Achieving the IS-BAO Stage 3 registration will not stop our commitment to continual improvement and recognition as one of the safest and best aircraft management companies in the world.”

The IS-BAO Stage 3 registration comes just after ACASS added its 25th mid-to-large-size business jet under management, a milestone Khury says reflects its commitment to carefully controlled growth.

“The timing of the Stage 3 registration and our 25th managed aircraft isn’t coincidence. I think it demonstrates that while we are deliberately growing, we haven’t lost sight of our focus on safety and maintaining a personal touch,” he said.

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Most recently based in Savannah, GA as a sales development manager for Gulfstream Aerospace, Lakatos brings 10 years of business aviation experience to ACASS’s rapidly expanding global team.

“We have known and respected Trisha for a long time. Her experience, drive, and industry relationships make her the perfect fit for our ambitious plans for North American.”

Zipporah Marmor, vice president of Aircraft Sales at ACASS said: “We have known and respected Trisha for a long time. Her experience, drive, and industry relationships make her the perfect fit for our ambitious plans for North America.”

Lakatos will be based in Montreal and will focus her efforts on increasing ACASS’s business in the United States and Canada, where the company feels it has tremendous growth potential.

“ACASS has an incredible international reputation for both business aviation sales and support services, but remains a surprisingly well kept secret in North America. My goal is to let this market know what it has been missing,” added Lakatos.

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Vinit Phatak is India president with Jayant Nadkarni vice-president. “Collaborating with ACASS is a natural fit for us,” said Phatak. “We share similar core values and compatible business cultures. ACASS India takes our complementary customer-centric service offerings, processes, and safety standards and creates a whole even greater than its parts.”

Andre Khury, CEO of ACASS, and Frank Ercolanese, president, will represent the company internationally.

Corporate Jet Investor spoke with Khury about the new business.

Corporate Jet Investor: How excited are you by the launch of ACASS India?

Andre Khury: Launching ACASS India is a particularly proud moment for us.We’ve poured a great deal of time, effort, and heart into serving the Indian business aviation market over the past 10 years, and now we’re putting a stake in the ground and saying: We’ve been here through thick and thin, and we’re here to stay.

Corporate Jet Investor: It has always been hard for foreign companies to get non-scheduled operator’s permit (NSOP) in India. How have you managed to do it?

Andre Khury: It is still very difficult for foreign companies to obtain an NSOP in India. That is one of the reasons ACASS partnered with Invision Air, which is based in Mumbai and has an NSOP. But that’s not to say it was a marriage of convenience. ACASS has had a very strong business aviation support presence in India for over a decade and our business philosophy, capabilities, and goals mesh extremely well with those of Invision.

ACASS India is part of an ACASS strategy to increase the accessibility and depth of its aircraft sales and support offerings in India and surrounding regions, leveraging Invision Air’s in-country presence, experience, reputation, and capabilities

Corporate Jet Investor: How long did it take to set ACASS India up?

Andre Khury: In a sense, it took over 10 years. That’s how long ACASS has been doing business in and supporting the aviation community in India. Invision Air was founded in 2007, and they brought a new standard of professionalism and safety to business aviation in India. So, both companies that led to the formation of ACASS India have been at this for a while! But, more strictly speaking, ACASS and Invision Air first started discussing what would eventually become ACASS India in 2015.

Corporate Jet Investor: How big do you think ACASS India could become?

Andre Khury: We see significant market potential in the region for our portfolio of services, including aircraft sales and acquisitions, flight crew staffing, aircraft management, and entry into service, as well as maintenance and technical oversight support.

But our focus is not so much how big we can grow as much as it is on providing the best service possible to the fleet that exists today. We want ACASS India to be the go-to resource and a trusted partner for the region’s business aviation community, advising and supporting clients through the myriad challenges they encounter in corporate aviation today.

Corporate Jet Investor: Do owners like having their own NSOP?

Andre Khury: Our experience suggests that the answer is no, particularly for individual aircraft owners or those with only one or two aircraft. For many, the romance of having your own operating company tends to wane significantly when faced with the multitude of regulatory and compliance requirements and rules, maintenance, manpower, salaries, parts, insurance, ground handling and flight planning responsibilities – among others – tied to such an operation.

We see an immediate need in India for a professionally run aircraft operating company with global expertise in aircraft management. ACASS has been supporting a worldwide fleet of managed aircraft for over a decade, with an IS-BAO-certified turnkey management program that offers uncompromising safety, lower operational costs, and efficient asset management. Many owners are in search of a just such a solution, which allows them to focus on other priorities and better enjoy the experience and benefits of owning business aircraft.

Corporate Jet Investor: Many financiers have been put off financing aircraft on the Indian register because of the lack of third party managers. Do you see this as a big opportunity?

Andre Khury: Absolutely. ACASS India is bringing North American standards to the Indian market while remaining sensitive to Indian culture. We would be hard pressed to understand why any financial institution would not value the availability the caliber of business aviation support services we offer in India as part of a comprehensive risk and asset management strategy.

 Corporate Jet Investor: Is lack of legal protection the biggest problem for financiers?

Andre Khury: You can’t really attribute the trepidation to any one thing. A variety of factors, of course, always drive decision making. Being prepared and providing asset protection is key. Beyond that, each potential transaction is assessed based on its own unique merits and risk factors.

Corporate Jet Investor: India’s business aviation market has often disappointed, how optimistic are you for the next 10 years?

Andre Khury: From a fleet growth perspective, our research and experience point to a growth of about three to four percent per annum for the next 10 years. Inherent in this suggestion is an expectation of a certain degree of consolidation during the period as the market continues to evolve and become more accepting of concepts like third-party aircraft management. So, we are quite optimistic about the market potential for ACASS India over the longer term.

Corporate Jet Investor: How big do you think India’s business aviation market could grow?

Andre Khury: Our analysis shows India currently having around 487 aircraft: 142 business jets, 100 turboprops, and around 245 helicopters. Industry projections suggest that by 2020 the total number of both fixed-wing and rotary aircraft in India will rise to 550 aircraft: 160 business jets, 120 turboprops and 270 helicopters.  And by 2025 will reach 670 aircraft:  180 business jets, 140 turboprops, and 350 helicopters. These projections are based primarily on analysis done by our team in India, which combines research completed by the Indian BAOA (Business Aviation Operators Association) with our own industry assessments.

Corporate Jet Investor: Is infrastructure – particularly airports – the biggest issue for owners?

Andre Khury: Not sure if it is the “biggest” issue. Taxation and barriers to NSOP certainly play major roles in limiting growth. But overall infrastructure, or the lack thereof, is definitely among the larger issues facing business aviation in India. While there is infrastructure available and a lot more planned, for now the private aviation community continues to struggle with insufficient ramp/parking space, a shortage of airport operation and watch hours, as well as basic aircraft servicing capabilities. Stakeholders are active in looking to affect necessary efficiency and capability improvements in all of these areas.

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