FR
Twenty years
of trajectory.
From a flight school founded in 2004
to a diversified international group.
At 22, Charles Clair founded his first company, Air et Compagnie Groupe, a flight school and aerial work operator on light aircraft, based at Paris Toussus-le-Noble Airport, with just €2,000 in capital.
The flight school expanded into helicopters with the creation of Air et Compagnie Hélicoptère, alongside Didier Gaudon. Operations began with Robinson R22 and R44 aircraft.
Astonjet was created with the integration of a first light jet entrusted by an owner. With the support of Darnaudet Transport Aérien (DarTA), at Paris-Le Bourget Airport, the path towards obtaining the first Air Operator Certificate began.
Astonjet obtained its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) and added two more Cessna Citation Mustangs to its light jet fleet, while developing its on-demand air transport business.
Creation of Clair Group, bringing the entities together under a unified vision and governance.
Birth of Air et Compagnie Maintenance, strengthening technical expertise and maintenance capabilities in support of the aeroplane flight school.
Clair Group sold Air et Compagnie Hélicoptère to its partner Didier Gaudon, to refocus its development on aeroplanes and prepare new international ambitions. The company later became Paris Hélicoptère.
To strengthen brand unity around Astonjet, the group adopted the prefix Aston, inspired by Astonish, “to amaze”. Air et Compagnie Avion became Astonfly, Air et Compagnie Maintenance became Astontec, and Air et Compagnie Services became Astonsky.
Astonjet continued to grow by adding its first brand-new Cessna Citation Latitude, a midsize business jet joining a fleet of more than 10 business aircraft.
After acquiring a former Signature Flight Support building and carrying out major renovation work, Clair Group created Astonsky and entered business aviation ground handling at Paris-Le Bourget. Designed as a premium experience for passengers and crews, the terminal quickly became a reference at the airport, alongside the sector's long-established players.
Faced with the pandemic and the upheaval in the aviation sector, Clair Group adapted its operations and, with Astonjet, developed a cargo business dedicated to the air bridge between China and France. Several Boeing 747 freighters were chartered to import medical equipment.
Astonjet put its first heavy jet into service, a Dassault Falcon 7X. The arrival of this aircraft marked a major step in the fleet's long-range development and supported the opening of operations to the Middle East, Asia, the Pacific and the Americas.
Astonfly entered a structuring collaboration with Ryanair through a mentored programme, set to become the Future Flyer Academy. This partnership strengthens the school's alignment with the operational expectations of European airlines.
By obtaining its second European AOC in Malta, Astonjet reached a new milestone in its international development. Opening Maltese offices allows the company to rely on one of the leading business aviation registries, to strengthen its appeal to specialised talent and to attract an international clientele.
Having made Astonsky the reference terminal at Paris-Le Bourget, Clair Group sold it to Jet Aviation. The transaction marked the completion of an ambitious project and allowed the group to refocus its efforts on Astonjet, with the Middle East as a major focus of international development.
Clair Group continues its development around expert, complementary brands, with a strategic refocus on Astonjet and its international expansion. The group continues to support its activities with a commitment to excellence and sustainable performance.
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