GainJet Aviation (GNJ, Athens) says the establishment of a new Shannon-based subsidiary will help it expand its coverage of western Europe. In a statement, the Greek business aviation specialist said GainJet Ireland (GJI, Shannon) was pursuing its Air Operators Certificate (AOC) from the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) in time to begin offering corporate charter flights in early 2016.

“GainJet has been looking at expanding our operations in support of our current structure as we continue to grow," GainJet CEO, Captain Ramsey Shaban, said. "We examined several EU options, but we felt Ireland had a lot going for it and hence major companies have moved their bases there. We chose Shannon because, similar to Athens, it is a European base that is strategically located and connects continents. Moreover, Shannon has become a major aviation hub for leasing companies and for Atlantic crossing traffic.”

Shaban added that three aircraft would initially be based in Ireland including two business jets and a medevac aircraft.

“While we continue to look at expansion into Africa and the Middle East, our primary base of operation is still very much in Europe,” he added.

GainJet's fleet consists of one VIP-configured B757-200, B737-400, and B737-300, one Gulfstream G450, one Gulfstream G550, one GVI-G650, one Global Express XRS, one Embraer Legacy 600, and one Challenger 600/601/604. One MD-87 is also in service for Umbutfo Swaziland Defence Force (Manzini Matsapha).