| In 1991, while the aviation industry was suffering a serious decline, Bernard Van Milders founded a company for managing the shared ownership of business jets. The success of similar formulas in the United States was soon confirmed when Flying Partners introduced the notion to the Belgian market in 1995. After a ‘flying start’, this initiative grew rapidly, and the number of aircraft under the unique Flying Partners Formula has since constantly increased.
In 1995, in the wake of the Flying Partners’ product,‘air-charter brokerage’ activity was launched under the business name ‘Flying Service’. Flying Service, as a specialist in chartering of both small business aircraft and large airliners, soon evolved into one of the largest air-charter brokers in the Benelux, so the separate public limited company of Flying Service was formed in 1997. At the end of 1997, an air-taxi operator was taken over. In this way, along with the acquisition of ideal accommodations at the Antwerp airport, we obtained certification as a Recognised Aircraft Maintenance Organisation from the Belgian Civil Aviation Authority (JAR-145 BEL-20) as well as a User Permit and Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC). The strict norms for the operation and maintenance of our fleet that are thus imposed ensure the standard of quality for the group’s aviation activities. Because of the rapid growth and the associated adjustments and developments, all the activities were ultimately joined under the umbrella organisation, FLYINGGROUP. To stay in touch with a rapidly changing aviation market, FLYINGGROUP takes it to the next level: the first long-range aircraft was added to the fleet. Similar and other projects show our continuous growth and enable us to guarantee a high-level of quality and liability. The spring of 2004 provided a new milestone in the history of FLYINGGROUP: FLYINGGROUP France saw the light of day. At the business airport of Cannes-Mandelieu on the French Riviera, FLYINGGROUP opened a new base from where complete services are offered. In 2005 a 2nd project in France was started, FLYINGGROUP started new business at the biggest business aviation airport in Europe, Paris Le Bourget. With this, FLYINGGROUP confirms its leading role as a player on the European market of business aircraft. 2009 ment another important year, with new operations out of Luxembourg and with the the start of the FLYINGGROUP Cessna Citation Authorized Service Facility in Antwerp, Belgium. As aviation advisor, the professional and flexible organisation of FLYINGGROUP has, like none other, the possibility of offering a unique service in the complex field of aviation. |