Voka Interview with Bernard Van Milders and Johan Van Lokeren

The Belgian Chamber of Commerce VOKA recently interviewed Bernard and Johan where they discuss FLYINGGROUP’s 25 year history, expansion and future plans. With the recent investment in zero energy headquarters and the FLYINGBUBBLE concept, the future is solid with respect to the environment and safety assured. You can read the full article below or here

Fashion shoots, TV commercials , Events

FLYINGGROUP has an extraordinary 8000 square metres of space in Antwerp, as well as hangarage in Kortrijk, Brussels and Paris for a unique photoshoot location.

Once you have passed our stringent security checks, your camera crew are welcome in our spacious locations which are well ventilated and open from early morning to late at night.

Antwerp airport recently turned into filmset for a Netflix series, ‘Into the Night’. Every night our expert Ground Handling team towed an A318 Airbus on to the set. Stay tuned for the release of season 2 here.

Corporate Events, Conferences, Exhibitions

Our brand new event venue in Antwerp is just 10 minutes from the city centre. Your guests will arrive at ease with over 800 nearby parking spaces and public transport access. Featuring luxury materials and state-of-the-art technology, our new building is situated in a private yet accessible location.

Today we officially open our new headquarters in Antwerp and proudly launch our new logo.

Over the last decades, we have seen a lot of changes in the business and private aviation industry. Business aviation is about creating a unique service and making the most of a passenger’s time. One of the most significant trends in the industry is the commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and mitigating climate change.

With the opening of the new headquarters in Antwerp, we wanted to harness the momentum and revitalise our entire brand identity. We look at what’s ahead with respect to what lies behind. We continue to invest in our core strengths, founded on the in-depth understanding of our customer. It begins with thoughtful leadership, a shared awareness of the core purpose and brand fundamentals. It’s about finding new ways to delight customers, to engage employees and to demonstrate our competitive advantage.

Everything we do starts from a simple belief: every journey should be a joyous experience. This regards both our customers and our employees, manifesting the core of who we truly are. “We are an energetic company, providing delightful business and private aviation solutions, moving people and bringing peace of mind — anywhere, anytime.” Our outstanding crew and staff share their expertise and commitment to ensure uncompromising safety and comfort, and they are destined to answer all our customers’ desires and needs.

This determination is defined by our core values:

SPIRITED

– We are devoted to what we do: it’s not a job, it’s a calling. We are obsessed with providing the best flying experience and are willing to go the extra mile.

TRUSTWORTHY

– As our customer’s partner, we are committed every step of the way. We have the very best people and experience in-house to guarantee a delightful service.

RESPECTFUL

– We always handle with care and profound respect for our heritage, demanding regulations, delicate equipment, the environment, and the customer’s expectations.

To clarify what we as a company stand for, we captured the essence of our brand in one meaningful and memorable tagline. “FLYINGGROUP – DESTINED TO DELIGHT.” This deceptively simple phrase is the shorthand for our brand identity; a guiding principle for all that we do and promise to all our customers.

Our state of the art headquarters capture this all in the most beautiful and stylish setting. This remarkable zero energy building is Belgian design at its finest. FLYINGGROUP is now soaring steadfast towards the future and we look forward to welcoming you soon.

Our headquarters in Antwerp are in the final stages of construction

It has been fascinating to witness the progress over the last year. Demolition of the old offices went as planned and work could start immediately on the drillings for the Geothermal central, at depths of 85 metres underground.

This was essential to install the impressive cooling & heating system allowing heat to be transferred to and from the ground. After this, huge tanks were placed with a capacity of 30,000 litres of rainwater followed by pipes and cables for the underfloor heating and cooling.

From then on, the progress was more and more visible: the steel construction was placed and walls were built, concrete floors were laid, IT and electrical cabling was installed, all running perfectly smoothly and on time.

“This was essential to install the impressive cooling & heating system allowing heat to be transferred to and from the ground. After this, huge tanks were placed with a capacity of 30,000 litres of rainwater“

The ceilings were finished with a plastering technique to create a premium acoustic finish in which the product is spray-applied with recycled materials mixed with glue.

The finishing touch was made in July just before the builders’ annual leave – an amazing 531 solar panels were installed on the roof and front.

The completion date is planned for September 2020. Our energy efficient building will stand out as a remarkable state-of-the-art headquarters for FLYINGGROUP and its valued customers and employees. We look forward to welcoming you in this new sustainable and future-proof environment!

Cessna Citation M2 Now available for charter.

The Cessna Citation M2 jet is the ultimate combination of beauty and efficiency.

Based in Kortrijk, this aircraft is housed in our 4000m² state of the art hangar at Flanders International Airport where we provide executive ground handling services. The location is a fast, flexible and remarkably accessible business airport for your convenience.

This newest addition is the 3rd Cessna Citation in our fleet which has a highly experienced and flexible crew of pilots. The 5-seater aircraft built in 2018 can take you from the heart of Europe to a range of over 2200km as you enjoy VIP catering in the luxurious 7m³ cabin.

With over 25 years of experience, FLYINGGROUP is committed to your journey whilst ensuring strict sanitary measures to guarantee your peace of mind while flying with us.

Contact our Sales Team for more information here. We will assist you every step of the way.

FLYINGGROUP goes the extra mile for their customers

Despite the challenging circumstances currently felt worldwide, a successful mission took place for 10 special little passengers

On Sunday morning, 21st June 2020, a flight safely arrived at Cologne Bonn Airport, Germany, which brought 10 orphaned children from Haïti to Europe to their new adoptive families.

FLYINGGROUP guarantees the health and safety of all its passengers with strict sanitary measures ensuring peace of mind for all. Each mission is meticulously planned in detail by aviation professionals using the best technology and years of experience.

FLYINGGROUP’s crew of 3 pilots and a Flight Attendant knew that this mission would stay in their hearts forever, as they took great care of the passengers every step of the way. The children’s families will be forever grateful to Bruno, Xavier, Steven & Mietje for their efforts.

The FLYINGGROUP team of 150 dedicated professionals continually strive for the best, both for their passengers as well as the aircraft owners who allow these charter flights to go ahead.

The whole team has been touched by this and it has been a huge achievement under the current circumstances. We are all proud to work for a company that aids relief efforts like these.

Your trusted charter partner during COVID-19

During these trying times, we at FLYINGGROUP would like to extend our services to you, in getting you or your loved ones home, safely.

If you are looking to avoid crowded airports or to evacuate from affected areas, you can count on us to get you home. We are equipped to support repatriation missions and the transport of essential workers and the positioning of your flight crew to where they need to be.

At FLYINGGROUP, we make your safety our mission.

We have been equipped for several weeks with Covid Kits on our aircraft and we have been implementing the most diligent sanitation practices, pre and post flight to ensure that our clients and crew are safe.

Special CoViD-19 “Universal Precaution Kit (UPK)” were ordered with “Med Air International SOS” and are onboard of our aircraft since the outbreak of the pandemic. These kits enable our crew to “isolate” passengers or colleagues with CoViD-19 symptoms, and to help contain the onboard/in-flight transmission of pathogens putting the other aircraft occupants at risk..

In addition, FLYINGGROUP has special operational procedures for passenger categorization and seat assignments, onboard services delivery, catering facilities, self-monitoring, exposure risk assessment and potential quarantine measures for passengers and crew.

Before and after flight, each aircraft is routinely disinfected and special cabin services information is displayed on safety cards in the back of each seat.

The feasibility of every flight is carefully checked and planned by our operations control center to ensure that all country regulations and airport procedures are adhered to

Strasbourg Airport and FLYINGGROUP are proud to unveil their newly established Joint Venture for the development of a new VIP Complex which acts as a Terminal for the Head of States Flights serving the Capital of the EU but as well as an FBO for the increasing Business Aviation traffic.

Additionally, two hangars in the size of 3000 m2 and 2000 m2 and a dedicated Fuel Station will be constructed in the new future.
The project will be run jointly as Strasbourg Executive SAS.
As an absolute highlight, Strasbourg Executive customers will be enjoying the Bugatti branded FBO, the brand well known for its artistic approach combined with superior technical innovations in the world of super sports cars.

The Alsace based luxury car manufacturer will deliver for their esteemed clients the most elegant furniture designed in spirit of italian-born industrial designer Ettore Bugatti.

It is self-speaking that the dedicated personnel are trained at highest levels to satisfy the requirements of VIP and Head-of-State services.
Strasbourg Executive new complimentary crew lounges are located airside in its new and dedicated terminal. The lounges will feature a relaxation area with the option of enjoying complimentary snacks and beverages, watching cable television on a large flat screen television or working at one of their computer stations that include free Wi-Fi, printer, scanner, and fax capabilities.

In addition to the crew lounges, Strasbourg Executive will have its 3’000 square meter hangars that can accommodate aircraft as large as a Boeing BBJ or multiple Bombardier Global 6000 or Falcon F8X – they will offer a welcoming alternative to crowded airports nearby. The hangar also features an additional 300 square meters of office space which makes it suitable to host an international MRO. The hangar is fully heated and under 24-hour security surveillance.
Understanding how important it is for customers to keep costs at an efficient level, Strasbourg Executive offers several services that allow for savings. As a result, Strasbourg Executive contracted World Fuel Services as an exclusive fuel service provider which will provide reliable fuel supply at cost-effective pricing. They will construct and operate a dedicated fuel farm that will grant short refuelling times and making the airport a desired destination for international fuel stops. Additionally, Strasbourg Executive offers customized parking options that can reduce costs and complimentary bookings with the Strasbourg Executive discounted rates at the Capitals top hotels.
Strasbourg Airport CEO Thomas Dubus states « This partnership with FLYINGGROUP in Strasbourg Executive to run a new hangar and this new FBO with its superior lounges, designed and decorated by the most iconic local luxury brands will ensure that all our business aviation customers will receive the best and seamless experience they deserve.

The accuracy of the project will be enhanced by the additional infrastructures delivered in conjunction by the airport: New aprons dedicated to business aviation, dedicated fuel farm and a new Head of State Terminal, able to welcome the guests of the European Capital »

About FLYINGGROUP

FLYINGGROUP was founded by Bernard van Milders in 1995. It started as a management company for fractional ownership of business jets, extended its services to air-charter brokerage and quickly evolved into one of the largest air-charter brokers in the Benelux. By the end of 1997, the company also offered aircraft management services, handling services at its FBO and Part 145 maintenance in Antwerp, Belgium.
Currently FLYINGGROUP operates and maintains more than 40 aircraft world-wide. Its headquarter is in Antwerp, but the group has extended throughout the years to Luxembourg, France, the Netherlands and lately Malta and the Middle East. FLYINGGROUP conducts a complex operation, with high performance aircraft, demanding customers and challenging missions. In addition, it complies with complex, detailed and ever-changing rules and regulations and faces a very competitive market.

About Strasbourg Airport

Located 12km form Strasbourg, the European Capital, the Strasbourg Airport is an international platform handling each year nearly 1.3 million passengers. The airport hosts 15 airlines serving more than 50 domestic and international destinations.
Occupying a surface of more than 30 000 square meters, the Strasbourg Airport consists of a terminal for commercial flights as well as a terminal dedicated to freight and a terminal for business aviation, the latter being in full swing.
The airport also has a business park, Skyparc, with a 45ha land reserve.
The quality of service is the core of the airport’s concerns, which in January 2017 created its own handling company: Strasbourg Handling, which employs 40 people.

After 1.5 years of hard work adjusting the procedure manual, FLYINGGROUP recently obtained its FAA repair station approval.

At FLYINGGROUP, we make your safety our mission.

This means that at FLYINGGROUP, we now also have the possibility to maintain N-registered aircraft within our EASA scope of work. We can provide maintenance on the following aircraft:

Line and Base maintenance

Cessna 525B
Cessna 560XL/XLS
Cessna 680
Falcon 7X
Falcon 900 EX EASy
Falcon 2000 EX EASy
Gulfstream (IAI) G280
Cessna 510
Cessna 525/525A

Line maintenance

Embraer ERJ-190 Series

For more information:
maintenance@flyinggroup.aero

Message from our brand ambassador, Fabian Cancellara.

Voka Interview with Bernard Van Milders and Johan Van Lokeren

Fashion shoots, TV commercials , Events

Corporate Events, Conferences, Exhibitions

“This was essential to install the impressive cooling & heating system allowing heat to be transferred to and from the ground. After this, huge tanks were placed with a capacity of 30,000 litres of rainwater“​

FLYINGGROUP goes the extra mile for their customers

Your trusted charter partner during COVID-19

At FLYINGGROUP, we make your safety our mission.

After 1.5 years of hard work adjusting the procedure manual, FLYINGGROUP recently obtained its FAA repair station approval.

At FLYINGGROUP, we make your safety our mission.

“This was essential to install the impressive cooling & heating system allowing heat to be transferred to and from the ground. After this, huge tanks were placed with a capacity of 30,000 litres of rainwater“