“Last year was the first we made real money. I said it was stolen when it wasn’t. AirX founder John Matthews (second from left) has secured funding from Investec Bank to acquire a controlling stake in AirX. Today, the fleet consists of 18 aircraft, flying royal families, sports teams, governments, deportees, gold bullion – and what or whoever else – around the globe. Restructuring AirX from a fleet of private jets, which were suffering from an unwieldy combination of capital depreciation and lofty overheads, Matthews moved instead to converted airliners, which helped to turn the company around. Investec Bank is assisting AirX as it seeks further equity investment ahead of a planned IPO in the next 12-24 months, and has given founder John Matthews the green light to take more control of the business After “bimbling along” for a couple of years, he then purchased the firm from its owners, sacking most of the staff on day one. Hanger 7/8 Frank Lester Way Luton Airport Bedfordshire LU2 9NQ United Kingdom, Diamond Hangar Long Border Rd Stansted Airport London CM24 1RE United Kingdom, AirX HQ Line Office, Gate 2 Malta International Airport Luqa LQA 4000 Malta, Bank backs Matthews to take controlling AirX stake, https://airxjetsupport.aero/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/airx-jet-support-logo.svg, https://airxjetsupport.aero/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/airx-john-matthews-investec-bank.jpg, AirX has Ample Space to Grow Maintenance at the Diamond, Transport Malta Certifies AirX for Aircraft Maintenance. AirX founder John Matthews (second from left) has secured funding from Investec Bank to acquire a controlling stake in AirX. Now, he’s looking to expand the fleet, while … Maltese operator AirX is hoping to IPO in 2019. Malta's AirX Charter eyes ACMI market with second A340 11.11.2019 - 11:24 UTC. Expelled twice, he attended a “naughty boys school” where he was assigned a number, coldly referred to as “A39” for nearly six years. Nervy but shrewd, Matthews’ elocution is perfect, yet he is dyslexic and without formal qualifications. In 2013 it moved its headquarters to Malta and the fleet was expanded to meet the requirements of executive customers. Matthews’ move to Malta wasn’t about language barriers alone. It had three aircraft, all on repossession notice, £4m of debt, no future. But this has proved somewhat counterproductive, and this year AirX is branding itself. And I took it with both hands.”. But Matthew's success has come at a price. “With 13 seats, I can beat any Global Express price, with double the cabin, literally 100% more or so in cabin size” he says. AirX Goes Big. Read More. Malta's AirX Charter eyes ACMI market with second A340 11.11.2019 - 11:24 UTC. AirX Charter (AXY, Malta Int'l) is planning to add a second A340 quadjet and to enter the ACMI market with the unit, Chairman John Matthews told the Corporate Jet Investor. I’m like an ambulance-chasing lawyer in America, but the equivalent for aircraft. “We often flew down to Lourdes, the Catholic fountain of youth. ” John Matthews – Chairman. 4,025 Followers, 574 Following, 586 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from AirX (@airx_aero) History. AirX is an unusual company. They thought my exit from aviation the first time round was forever – the hatred level of coming back is huge.”. AirX Charter (AXY, Malta Int'l) is planning to add a second A340 quadjet and to enter the ACMI market with the unit, Chairman John Matthews told the Corporate Jet Investor. Leaving jail bankrupt, essentially homeless, with no qualifications and fewer prospects, Matthews moved to Lebanon to work in consultancy, but was never paid. AirX opens its Jet Support Division to all. And I took it with both hands. John Matthews, its chairman, explains why and takes us through the ups and downs of his business aviation career. The chief executive of AirX, who admits to being the least popular man in private aircraft chartering, has much on his mind. It seems to have worked. Darren has been a broker in the industry, with a leading role, since the year 2000. Investec Bank is assisting AirX as it seeks further equity investment ahead of a planned IPO in the next 12-24 months, and has given founder John Matthews the green light to take more control of the business . AirX founder John Matthews (second from left) has secured funding from Investec Bank to acquire a controlling stake in AirX. At 17, John Matthews was running a flying school of 20 aircraft. AirX Charter (AXY, Malta Int'l) is planning to add a second A340 quadjet and to enter the ACMI market with the unit, Chairman John Matthews told the Corporate Jet Investor. We would consider all of them.”. Matthews said: “AirX Jet Support opened over four years ago when we purchased Hamlin Jet Services tasked with maintaining our growing fleet. We’re in a different category. Malta's AirX Charter eyes ACMI market with second A340 11.11.2019 - 11:24 UTC. “This interview is warts and all. Borrowing the price of an airfare, he made a serendipitous journey to Munich to meet a friend, whose partner was friends with the former owner of AirX. 29 May 2020 – John Matthews, AirX Chairman announced that its Jet Support division based at both London Luton Airport and London Stansted Airport, are now open to all aircraft owners and operators. “And then one day an email came through from a company promoting Transport Malta, the Maltese aviation community. With sites across the UK & Malta we offer aircraft maintenance that we, as a large fleet operator, would want to use, and more importantly – recommend to others. A year later, he launched his first airline. At 18, he established a charter business on twin piston engine aircraft to the executive charter market. Chairman John Matthews’s alternative view of the private aviation industry has seen him build AirX against the odds. The support permits Matthews to acquire shares from an early stage investor who held significant shares in the business. Undeterred, Matthews marches on. The company turned over £100m last year. A chance encounter saw the business grow and acquire a Citation, but then fall foul of the 2008 economic slump. Now, he’s looking to expand the fleet, while simultaneously preparing the company for it’s IPO. AirX has been “white-labelled” for the past five years – that is, plain aircraft with no branding – to engender loyalty with the flight brokers, which provide the firm with clientele. He took over AirX in 2011 when it had three aircraft and £4m of debt. He is taking the forum to court over character assassination, which he believes is from competitors. You just couldn’t make it up.”. If there’s a repossession, we’re on the hunt.”. Did anybody hear from him - somehow ? Parents divorced, his mother remarried a Concorde engineer, who inspired Matthews’ love of aviation. WORLD CLASS SUPPORT. Watching jets fly overhead was an escape from his curricular prison. AirX Charter (AXY, Malta Int'l) is planning to add a second A340 quadjet and to enter the ACMI market with the unit, Chairman John Matthews told the Corporate Jet Investor. We see AirX as a highly disruptive company in the private charter aviation space and we are delighted to partner with John and AirX for the next stage of the journey. 2012 kommt der erste Bombardier Challenger 850 an, gefolgt von Cessna Citation X im Jahr 2013, Boeing 737 Classics im … AirX is executing a large expansion plan over the next two years. For decades aircraft were seen as a worthy investment, increasing in value each year from 1971, until 2008. AirX Charter wurde 2011 gegründet, als das Vermögen einer österreichischen Fluggesellschaft AirX von John Matthews gekauft wurde. This “new AirX” would have a fresh credit rating, meaning better chances of leasing aircraft, which he could use to rescue the German AirX, and put both firms under one holding company. Follow us for breaking news and latest updates: This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) regulates and enforces the standards for civil aviation safety in Europe. “They’re losing fights against us every day, we break the model. The aerospace industry was, and still is, he says, suffering from capital depreciation. “I’m now studying for my exams again and hope to become a commercial pilot by next year, or the year after. Our approach is based on quality work, carried out on time, coupled with simple and honest billing – very straight forward. But leasing aircraft was never sustainable long-term, and under the advice of a 72 year old industry veteran, Matthews started to expand AirX’s fleet dramatically. No one wanted to fly in his noisy old twin-engined monster, so, after finding a stretcher in a hangar by chance, he converted MS Airways into a medical airline. Regaining a controlling position in AirX at this stage in the company’s development was important to me as the founder and will allow us to move ahead with our plan. I was arrested for perverting the course of justice and spent 28 days in Brixton on a 10-week prison sentence. Malta's AirX Charter eyes ACMI market with second A340 11.11.2019 - 11:24 UTC. 2013 verlegte es seinen Hauptsitz nach Malta und die Flotte wurde erweitert, um den Anforderungen von Executive-Kunden gerecht zu werden. I look forward to further successful transactions in partnership with Investec.”, To read the article in Business Air News Click Here. John Matthews / AirX 4 Exeutive Aviation nternational Summer . “I lost a court case internally and went bankrupt at 27,” he says. With sites across the UK & Malta we offer aircraft maintenance that we, as a large fleet operator, would want to use, and more importantly – recommend to others. So I reached out to a very wealthy student who ran a KFC franchise, borrowed £32,950 and started MS Airways at 19.”. John B. Matthews, Chairman, AirX Headquartered in Malta with offices in the UK and USA, AirX services the global brokering community with its first class, diversified fleet. EASA PART 145. It’s an experience I won’t forget in a hurry. But MS Airways wasn’t to be. It operates an unconventional fleet of corporate and VIP private jets. “And to compound the problem even further, obviously I wasn’t in a great place – I got very drunk, crashed my car, and lied about it. The company has a fleet of 19 aircraft in Europe as well as operations in the USA, with two aircraft currently under management. Chairman John Matthews’s alternative view of the private aviation industry has seen him build AirX against the odds. John Matthews (Source: AirX) Leaving jail bankrupt, essentially homeless, with no qualifications and fewer prospects, Matthews moved to Lebanon to work in consultancy, but was never paid. James Tilly Matthews (1770 – 10 January 1815) was a London tea broker, originally from Wales and of Huguenot descent, who was committed to Bethlem (colloquially Bedlam) in 1797. Malta's AirX Charter eyes ACMI market with second A340 11.11.2019 - 11:24 UTC. AirX founder and chairman John Matthews has been backed by Investec Bank to take a controlling stake in the company. Read More . AirX is an unusual company. AirX lands a good deal with Lineage pair AirX chairman John Matthews says that much of the market is saturated, and always keeps an eye out for jets that have dipped in value. AirX Malta. We’re going to move to a new AirX in Malta’.”, When you’re bankrupt and have no money, that’s an opportunity. It seems that AirX´ CEO John Matthews has trouble with justice again, it is reported that he is jailed in Lebanon over business ethics issues - again. AirX founder and chairman John Matthews has been backed by Investec Bank to take a controlling stake in the company. This transaction highlights the private capital team’s long-term partnership approach and equity mind-set in supporting entrepreneurs’ growth ambitions with access to both capital and an ecosystem of other like-minded entrepreneurs.”, Matthews adds: “This investment by the private capital team is a vote of confidence in AirX. For John Matthews, AirX CEO, building up a fleet of Lineage 1000s is a no-brainer. Aged 17, he flew solo for the first time. Not many things which are worse than being jailed in Lebanon in the current situation. Chairman John Matthews’s alternative view of the private aviation industry has seen him build AirX against the odds. His is considered to be the first fully documented case of paranoid schizophrenia. AirX Charter was formed in 2011 when the assets of an Austrian airline AirX were bought by John Matthews. Declared bankrupt, Matthews sought aviation work in the Middle East. The banks over-financed the industry, which helped manufacturers build a glut of unnecessary planes. How to kick off the New Year the right way. With the world in chaos, an opportunity arose. AirX’s clever aircraft acquisition policies enable it to deliver cost-effective high-end luxury travel. AirX Jet Support aims to offer a fixed price, scheduled, solution that will keep you flying. The Chairman, Mr John B Matthews is pleased to announce Mr Darren Banham as the AirX America President. Now, he’s looking to expand the fleet, while simultaneously preparing the company for it’s IPO. I don’t know how I’d do that interview really.”. It’s been flat every year I’ve had it, because I’ve been investing the profits back into growth. John Matthews, AirX CEO says that the charm of the Lineage is that it’s the poor man’s Boeing BBJ, but the rich man’s Bombardier Global family aircraft. It operates an unconventional fleet of corporate and VIP private jets. He’s done it before, but on a smaller scale, with the Cessna Citation X. And I thought ‘well I can’t speak German, and these guys won’t let me run an Air Operator Certificate if I don’t speak German. 20th December 2018. When you’re bankrupt and have no money, that’s an opportunity. Finally, I ask whether Matthews would ever get in the cockpit again? Although I must say, it doesn’t have a pretty start.”. I think AirX will take me on, there’s a pretty good chance. The support permits Matthews to acquire shares from an early stage investor who held significant shares in the business. chartering his Piper Navajo Chieftain, and himself. AirX founder and chairman John Matthews has been backed by Investec Bank to take a controlling stake in the company. Lehman Brothers had just collapsed and the world was falling apart. I’m running out of clothes and have no money, everything I own is in this bag.’ And next thing I know I’m working for AirX. “There’s three options to lower capital: bring in a wealthy chap who can grow the company further, a public listing, or raise bonds. Investec Bank is assisting AirX as it seeks further equity investment ahead of a planned IPO in the next 12-24 months, and has given founder John Matthews the green light to take more control of the business. Last year we didn’t take any aircraft, we stopped at 18, and made £6.8m EBIT, whereas the year before we made £9,500,” he chuckles. This was not a straightforward transaction and we appreciate Investec’s willingness to engage with the various nuances. AirX is executing a large expansion plan over the next two years. Clients include royal families, heads of state, film and music tours, sports teams, high net worth individuals, corporate executives and celebrities. WORLD CLASS SUPPORT. John Matthews's email address j*****@airx.aero | Show email & phone number >>> Rocketreach finds email, phone & social media for 450M+ professionals. Head of Investec Ryan Tholet says: “Our private bank’s capital team has a specific mandate to back entrepreneurial owner-managers in growing their businesses. Taking his career to a higher level, by 19, John began his own operation with 10-seater twin engine aircraft. “She said ‘I’m just divorcing my husband, I own an airline and it’s probably going to go bankrupt’. Mr Matthews divides opinion within the aviation sector. We used to collect a lot of Irish Catholics with a great sense of humour – 80 year olds who had slipped into the fountain. Its roster ranges from Citation Xs through to a VIP-configured Airbus A340, one of the world’s largest aircraft available for private charter with 100 lie-flat business class seats. Both the Citation X and Lineage are great aircraft, which for one reason or another, now have low acquisition costs on the secondary market. We’re selling a bigger cabin for a lesser price. OUR QUIET table at Dover Street’s Arts Club is becoming a de facto confession box. AirX Charter was formed in 2011 when the assets of an Austrian airline AirX were bought by John Matthews. AirX chairman John Matthews (pictured with Norman and Chapman) commented: "We are thrilled to have both Chris and Carol join the AirX team as the organization expands to become a truly global company diversifying in each aspect of aviation." AirX Jet Support is based in Luton Airport, Stansted Airport and Malta and has two EASA Part-145 Certificate of Maintenance issued by EASA and maintains both the AirX fleet and third party aircraft. A gin and tonic replacing the grill between priest and penitent, John Matthews peers through his glass – for he hath sinned. They serve the same purpose as the Federal Aviation Administration does for the United States. Try … “I last flew in 2007,” he says. – John Matthews. But Matthews’ priority for 2018 is lowering the cost of capital. Acquired by John Matthews in 2010, AirX Charter Ltd provides private passenger aviation services to companies, governments, royal families, sports teams, celebrities, high-net-worth individuals and other organisations. At 18, he was working as an airstrip fireman, without a driving licence. The room service was terrible.”. IN THESE DAYS of press training, prepared statements and cautious comments, John Matthews, chairman of AirX, stands out. I’m usually the only buyer. His company hopes to generate plenty of business with the Embraer Lineage. AirX recently announced that Investec Private Capital backed John Matthews to become the controlling shareholder of the company Seems to be something serious, otherwise police would not arrest somebody on the spot and without notification. “The aircraft I go for have been repossessed – the bank doesn’t know what to do with them. Investec will assist AirX in seeking further equity investment ahead of a planned IPO in the next 12-24 months. I said ‘I simply need somewhere to eat and some food – I’ll run your airline for you. “I said [to the boss of the airfield he worked on] ‘I want to start my own airline inside your company,’ and he just laughed his head off, the suggestion was ridiculous. Growing the company as a “cocky, arrogant, I-know-best twenties entrepreneur” with “perhaps not too much documentation going on”, Matthews fell a cropper with an internal shareholders dispute, and was ousted. Researching him before our interview, I stumbled across a forum accusing him of being imprisoned in Lebanon, a statement he decries as ludicrous. AirX Charter (AXY, Malta Int'l) is planning to add a second A340 quadjet and to enter the ACMI market with the unit, Chairman John Matthews told the Corporate Jet Investor.