Press Release

Issued by Daher Aerospace.

October 7, 2015

A new TBM 900 has been delivered to Strasbourg-based AltiJet, positioning it to become the first French charter operator with Daher's latest version of the TBM very fast turboprop aircraft family.

Created by Jean Gay, a 24 year-old pilot, AltiJet initially will offer private transportation services to local companies, and also has filed an Air Operator's Certificate (AOC) application to provide charter flight services that respond to customer demand in the Alsace region.

"We congratulate AltiJet for the selection of a TBM 900 to begin its activity,” commented Nicolas Chabbert, the senior vice president of Daher's airplane business unit. “As a start-up, this underscores the values of new-generation entrepreneurs who understand the TBM is a flexible transportation tool which meets their expectations in terms of cost and efficiency."

Chabbert said once AltiJet obtains its Air Operator's Certificate, it will be France's inaugural charter company to utilize the TBM 900, and the country's second operator to fly a TBM very fast turboprop family member for such services. More TBMs are expected to be introduced during the near future on business operations in France's most dynamic regions.

"Thanks to the TBM 900 and its particularly low operating costs, we want to put private aviation within the reach of businesses and individuals," explained Jean Gay, the AltiJet co-ceo and founder. "With its performance, the TBM 900 will provide nonstop flights to some 3,200 destinations in Europe and the Mediterranean region.”

Since 2013, French regulations have enabled TBMs to be used within the country for public transportation of passengers while operating in instrument flight conditions. The first to operate a TBM in charters under these regulations is Voldirect, located at Rennes in Brittany, which utilizes a TBM 850 version. Based on France's experience, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) plans to allow this type of operation in Europe within a year, enabling a new category of air taxi services within European airspace that benefit from the TBM family's speed, efficiency and comfort.