UK-based Amsair has taken delivery of a brand-new Embraer Legacy, which is managed and operated on its behalf by Jet Alliance in Austria. The company, which also owns two Citation Excels - operated by London Executive Aviation - bought the aircraft to accommodate the long-range travel needs of its charter clients.

Said md Daniel Sugar: "We took delivery of our Legacy in December and as soon as we acquired it, it went straight out to the Middle East and then the US for charter work." Whilst in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Amsair's corporate livery was applied to the aircraft.

"We were looking for a longer range heavy jet and the Legacy is the corporate jet derivative of the ERJ135 shuttle, which is used by so many of the world's leading commercial airlines - on that basis it's a very tried and tested platform.

"In our opinion, the Legacy offers the space of a Gulfstream GV and, effectively, the performance of a Challenger 604. All of our fleet can operate from short runways, such as London City Airport's.

"The cost of the aircraft compared to a GV, as well as the other factors, made it a no-brainer for us. We think it's going to be a really successful aeroplane."

When considering which long range aircraft to add to the fleet, the Challenger 604 was initially 'considered but, according to Sugar, the Legacy represented better value for money from both an owner's and client's perspective.

"When you compare it to a CL604, in terms of what you get for your money and the charter price, there's not an enormous differential. Also, I don't think that, for the mid-range missions, a client would notice much difference between being in a GV or the Legacy. When you look at what value for money that represents, you've got a winner on your hands with that aircraft.

The Legacy has already performed a wide variety of missions, ranging from short-range flights from London to Paris, to carrying passengers from London to Hong Kong with a single stop in Kazakhstan. Many of its flights have been to ski resorts, southern France, Dubai and Moscow.

The company recently assisted with the purchase of another Legacy, based in Vienna, which was also placed on a management contract with Jet Alliance.

"This gives us the flexibility, on the charter side, to be able to offer two jets," said Sugar. "We are about to acquire a third Legacy for a private client, which we brokered the purchase and management contract for. That aircraft will hopefully be on the G register in April."

Amsair is keen to differentiate itself from 'regular' brokers, as it is the first point of contact for clients who wish to charter its Legacy or Excels, or any of the aircraft its sales team has access to. "We bring something else to the party. Firstly, we own the aircraft, and secondly, we believe in delivering an exceptional, unique service to the client."

The company sells charter hours on all of the aircraft it owns and, for every trip, each client is provided with a 24-hour personal concierge manager who liaises between the client and operator to organise the flights.

"It makes for the charter to be absolutely seamless for the client," commented Sugar. "We're slowly building up our client base; we're appealing to a very targeted group of clients who will eventually become owners of aircraft.

"We like to have contact with the end user. Our client base consists of high profile individuals from politics, royalty, music and business, rather than brokers, who tend to deal with the operator directly."

The team at Amsair has been encouraged by the level of interest and business it has experienced since acquiring the Legacy, and expects the aircraft to clock up at least 700 hours per year.

With the Legacy's recent approval to operate at London City Airport, Sugar believes that the demand for the aircraft will grow. "I think it's going to make a huge difference; in fact, we've had quite a few charters already out of LCY, and the charter order book is already looking very encouraging for clients based around that area.

"It's very convenient for clients based nearby who want to fly long range in significant comfort. Ours was the first Legacy to be approve for LCY. It's a huge benefit, not only for London City, but for short runways in general," he said.

In additional news, the company has opened its first US office, based in Boca Raton, Florida. "This will allow Amsair to further enhance its existing client base within the America market place."