Shannon, Ireland, 11 June 2020 — ACASS is pleased to announce the continued expansion of its global footprint with the formation of ACASS Ireland. The operation combines the resources of Montreal-based ACASS and Irish private aviation operator SONAS Aviation to form one of the EU’s most capable and experienced private and commercial aviation solution providers.
With offices at Shannon Airport and Farnborough in the UK, ACASS Ireland offers charter and private and commercial aircraft management solutions in the UK and throughout Europe. As an Irish AOC holder, it can provide free circulation and unfettered traffic rights throughout Europe and the 44 countries covered by EU bilateral agreements, including the USA and Canada.
“We recognize this is a challenging time for our industry and most of the world,” says ACASS Ireland President Graham Williamson. “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.”
ACASS Ireland’s EASA Type A Airline Operator Certificate (AOC) and Operating Licence were issued by the Irish Aviation Authority and the Irish Commission for Aviation Regulation.
“Having your aircraft registered or operated by an Irish AOC holder offers significant advantages,” says Williamson. “Among them are efficient importation of private and corporate aircraft into the EU, unrestricted access and free circulation for aircraft through Europe, a simple tax environment, a respected and secure jurisdiction for financiers, and the familiarity and transparency of an English language legal system that will remain stable after the UK leaves the EU.”
The formation of ACASS Ireland marks the culmination of nearly two years’ worth of planning, building, and formalizing, according to ACASS CEO Andre Khury.
“ACASS Ireland is a major milestone for us in several ways,” says 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.”
For more information about ACASS Ireland, contact Graham Williamson at +353 87 315 4749.
SONAS AVIATION BECOMES ACASS IRELAND – Questions and Answers
WHY IRELAND PRESENTS AND EXCEPTIONAL OPPORTUNITY FOR OWNERS OF BUSINESS AIRCRAFT – ANGIE DEADY-FIDDLER, DIRECTOR MARTYN FIDDLER AVIATION IRELAND LIMITED
ABOUT ACASS
Since 1994, ACASS has been empowering individuals and organizations to own their journeys with best-in-class business aviation support services and world-class expertise. Based in Montreal, with offices and extensive experience across the globe, we are known for superlative aircraft sales, leasing, and charter, flight crew staffing, and aircraft management. Whether we provide these services a la carte or as part of a holistic business aviation solution, ACASS clients can always count on uncommonly personal service and exceptional results.
Questions & Answers
Q: Why did ACASS decide to partner with SONAS to launch ACASS Ireland?
A: For some time, ACASS has been engaged in a search for the right partnership to strengthen our Europe-based offerings. While ACASS has a long-established presence and reputation in regions like India, Southeast Asia, Africa and the Middle East, Europe has lagged behind in both regards. In addition, ACASS recognized the opportunity to broaden its portfolio of service offerings with commercial management and charter out of Europe. SONAS team, capabilities, and values checked every box on ACASS’s European partner wish list.
Q: Does ACASS do business in Europe?
A: Yes, ACASS does currently do business in Europe and offers clients the benefits of San Marino commercial registration. The knowledge, expertise, and resources of the ACASS Ireland team will allow ACASS to grow dramatically and become a leading aircraft management company in Europe. ACASS Ireland’s Irish commercial certificate allows us to move our clients free and clear throughout Europe with no limitations on charter.
Q: What is the relationship between ACASS and ACASS Ireland?
A: ACASS acquired a significant stake in SONAS and provided considerable support to the company during its startup phase. As the name suggests, what was once SONAS Aviation is now ACASS Ireland and is a fully integrated part of the global ACASS group.
Q: Has SONAS Aviation been bought by ACASS?
A: No, the name SONAS Aviation effectively has been dropped and ACASS Ireland has replaced it to reflect the relationship with ACASS.
Q: What will be the differences between ACASS and ACASS Ireland?
A: Other than the principal place of business and the regulatory structure that ACASS Ireland must work to, there will be no discernable differences between the two. The ACASS brand values and culture will be adopted by ACASS Ireland as part of the promotion of the overall ACASS brand.
Q: Who will lead ACASS Ireland?
A: Graham Williamson is the President of ACASS Ireland. Previously, Graham was instrumental to the European growth and success of one of the world’s leading business aviation companies after he joined that company in 2004. During his 14-year tenure there, he was the catalyst for a host of major milestones and achievements. With ACASS Ireland, Graham has assembled a group of industry experts with the knowledge and experience to make ACASS Ireland one of the region’s most successful jet services providers.
Q: Will the SONAS Headquarters move to the ACASS Head Office?
A: No, ACASS Ireland will maintain its principal place of business in Ireland to maximise the benefits of its
European AOC.
Q: Why Ireland?
A: An Ireland-based business aviation company offers a host of advantages. Among them:
- We can provide the EASA solution for owners who need or wish to retain access to Europe with
a fully commercial operator to allow free circulation in Europe and unfettered traffic rights to the
44 countries covered by EU bilateral agreements, including the USA and Canada.
- As a member of the EU Customs Union, Ireland enables the efficient importation of corporate and
private aircraft into the EU for free circulation. Over the last 60 years, Ireland’s dominance in
aviation leasing has transformed aviation.
- Ireland offers a simple importation and tax environment for those clients who have reputations to
protect. All commercial aircraft will qualify for zero-rated importation. Ireland is a renowned and
very secure jurisdiction for financiers. Lenders will readily approve it for corporate clients who
have financed aircraft.
- The Irish legal system, similar to that of England, will remain subject to the authority of the ECJ
- when the UK leaves the EU. This will give continued harmony and reliability to existing financiers
and owners. Contracts governed by English law will be readily recognised. As the laws of the UK change with departure from EU regulation, Ireland will remain familiar and transparent.
- The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) is a committed member of EASA; all European traffic freedoms,
- licenses, approvals and certification will continue to apply.
- Ireland represents a safe, secure and predictable environment, giving clients the peace of mind
- and service, they seek in the heart of Europe.
- Ireland offers two registration prefixes, the commercial “EI” registration along with the “EJ” registration, allowing for both private and commercial operations. In both cases, aircraft registered in Ireland can be based anywhere in Europe and beyond.
Q: How does BREXIT impact clients who have aircraft based in the UK?
A: Client aircraft can still be based out of the U.K. post BREXIT.
Q: What services will ACASS Ireland offer?
A: While ACASS Ireland draws on the resources of ACASS’s international team to offer ACASS’s full suite of complementary support services, its primary service focus is commercial aircraft management and charter.
Graham Williamson has extensive experience in both product disciplines from his 14-year tenure as President of TAG Aviation Europe and the ACASS Ireland team has the ideal skill set and expertise for these specializations.
Q: Who are the other key members of the ACASS Ireland team?
A: Capt. Russell Allchorne, COO and Director of Flight Operations; Keith Brennan, Technical Director; Andrew Hodgson, Commercial Director; Patricia Davis, Director of Compliance and Safety.
Q: Has ACASS Ireland secured a launch aircraft?
A: Yes, we are pleased to announce that our launch aircraft is a Bombardier Challenger 605 (EJ-AWES), which was delivered in February and is already busy with commercial charter operations. This aircraft is available exclusively for the charter market, fully crewed, and requiring no owner’s release. We have also signed a second Challenger 605 (EJ-ROXY) that is also fully crewed, exclusively available for charter with no owner release requirement.
Q: Where is the launch aircraft based?
A: Both Challengers are based in London, UK.
Q: What working arrangement will ACASS Ireland and ACASS corporate have?
A: ACASS Ireland will fully leverage ACASS’s existing, highly successful business processes and infrastructure. With a 25-year history of delivering best-in-class, cohesive business aviation support services, ACASS offers ACASS Ireland every resource necessary to answer any client need they might encounter.
