Happy New Year!

Hong Kong New Years Fireworks

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2015

It’s a brand new month, and a brand new year packed full of opportunities; and now that it is time to look forward to 2015, we thought that despite a few sore heads we would highlight for you some of the bigger events occurring this year for which we can arrange all of your private jet charter needs.

World Economic Forum, Davos, Switzerland

The World Economic Forum takes place as ever in Davos, Switzerland, from January 21st to January 24th.

This meeting brings together some 2,500 global figures from the worlds of business and politics to shape and improve global and regional agendas.

Superbowl, Phoenix, USA

The 49th Super Bowl is taking place on the 1st February at the University of Phoenix Stadium, Arizona.

The Super Bowl is one of the biggest annual sporting events, watched by over 110m people, and is the jewel in the crown of the NFL calendar.

Expo 2015, Milan, Italy

This year sees the return of the Universal Exposition, held every five years and following the 2010 expo in Shanghai.

The Universal Exposition is a world fair held every 5 years dedicated to highlighting the growth and changes the world is facing, bringing together industries and individuals. The theme of Expo 2015 is ‘Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life’. The event takes place between 1st May and 31st October.

Rugby World Cup, England

The biggest event in Rugby is back and this year it has come home, being hosted in the UK between 18th September and 31st October.

The competition brings together the 20 best national teams, with one being crowned world champion by the end of the tournament.

UK General Election, UK

The UK general election takes place on 7th May this year. Although not necessarily an ‘event’ in the traditional sense, much rides upon the outcome of this year’s election, given the major parties differing attitudes to the national economy and the UK’s relationship with Europe and the part the UK plays in shaping global and European issues.

Champions League Final, Berlin, Germany

The biggest global sporting event in a non World Cup year, this year’s UEFA Champions League Final is held in Berlin on 27th May.

Last year the event was watched by a global audience of over 300 million, and is always one of the sporting highlights of the year

Art Basel, Basel, Switzerland

The world’s biggest contemporary art fair returns from June 18th – 21st in Switzerland, and now features exhibits from over 300 of the world’s leading galleries.

Art Basel has developed into a leading art extravaganza, which attracts visitors from around the world and counts many famous individuals amongst those who make the annual pilgrimage to view the exhibits.

Melbourne Grand Prix, Melbourne, Australia

The curtain raiser for the 2015 Formula 1 season gets the biggest sports road show under way on March 15th.

This year the competition takes in 20 races across 5 continents, but traditionally the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne is one of the most important in the calendar as we get to see the race form of the various competing teams for the first time and assess who are the likely championship contenders for the year.

For a full schedule of events in 2015, please see our online calendar here.

For private jet charter to or from any major event in 2015, you can rely on Villiers Jets to take you there. Get in touch today for pricing and availability.

Happy New Year from all of us at Villiers Jets!

Samedan Airport, St. Moritz, and 5 other exciting airfields

Samedan Private Jet Charter

We receive a lot of private charter requests to fly into Samedan Airport at this time of year, only 5km’s from St. Moritz and therefore on the doorstep of some of the very best skiing in Europe. It’s possible for you to literally go from your private jet to your chalet in twenty minutes.

With an elevation of close to 6,000 feet, the air is thin, and this combined with ice, snow, wind, and a lack of any ILS make Samedan an airport to keep most pilots on their toes. Which lead us to think about some other airports which provide a bit of excitement as you come in to land…

Courcheval, France

Courcheval Private Jet Charter

The runway is very short and has a steep gradient, conditions can be very challenging, and there is a vertical cliff at the bottom of the strip. On the other hand, you can ski straight from the terminal building, and will have incredible views as you approach the airfield.

Saba Airport, Dutch Antilles

Saba Private Jet Charter

Saba, in the Caribbean, is a beautiful island and getting there is half the fun. The runway is, at 400m, reputedly one of the shortest commercial strips in the world. On top of this there are steep hills to one side, cliffs at both ends, and the sea on the remaining side. Once you are safely down, however, it will all seem worth it as you enjoy a relaxing Caribbean break.

Madeira, Portugal

Madeira Private Jet Charter

Built out over the sea, and with winds coming down off the hills behind the runway, Madeira requires a good level of concentration from pilots as they approach the airport. There is also a relatively short runway as far as larger commercial traffic is concerned, but the charm and beauty of this little island in the Atlantic ensures there are plenty wanting to visit.

Princess Juliana Airport, St Maarten

Princess Juliana Private Jet Charter

It is not so much that there is any particular difficulty in landing at this renown airport, more so how close one comes to the beach adjacent to the end of the runway which makes it such fun. Aircraft regularly come and go, and immediately prior to touchdown can be as little as 50 feet above the permanent crowd of plane spotters who welcome new visitors to the island. An additional Caribbean thrill, to say the least!

London City Airport

London City Private Jet Charter

Flying in to London City is a great experience. With a short runway, pilots require special certification to land here as it requires a steeper glideslope than usual for commercial or private aircraft, given its unique location in the heart of London. On the other hand, approach and landing give some spectacular views of London’s increasingly dynamic skyline, and once on the ground, conveniently close to the centre of the city.

Fly from London City Airport to Samedan, St Moritz with Villiers from €10,760, or request pricing online to fly to or from any other destination worldwide.

Villiers by Numbers, 2014

Villiers Private Jet Charter

Villiers by Numbers, 2014

2014 has been a busy year for us. We have been looking over our statistics and making sense of what we have learnt, and thought you might be interested in seeing some of our conclusions:

The UK is the departure point in 31% of our enquiries, with London alone taking care of 21%. In terms of other markets, the US as a whole accounts for 17%, with New York, Miami and Los Angeles being the three principal departure points we have seen within the US. Others of note are Dubai, in 9% of our enquiries, Spain 4.2% and Nice with 3%.

The UK is the destination of choice in 17% of enquiries, again with London alone being the named destination in 5% of cases. The US accounts for 16%, Paris is the place to be for 5%, India 4% and Dubai and Nice 2%.

As is plain to see, chartering a private jet to or from London and the wider UK continues to be one of our core markets. The US, as one might expect given it is the largest market globally in terms of private aviation, is an important market for us, and the Middle East, particularly Dubai also features prominently.

We are expecting that this will remain the case into 2015, with Europe as a whole, the US, and the Middle East featuring heavily, however we also expect to see a stronger market emerge in Brazil and Malaysia, amongst others, as demand in these countries continues to grow steadily.

5 Top Winter Christmas Destinations

If you’re short on ideas as to where to spend your Christmas this year, we thought we’d give you some inspiration and list our top 5 favourite cities in which to enjoy a winter break.

5. Prague

Private Jet Charter Prague

With its narrow medieval alleyways, and snow covered town squares filled with market stalls selling traditional handcraft wares, Prague offers plenty for those of you seeking a traditional Christmas experience. Traditionally spiced hams and sausages sizzle in the cold air, tempting you as you browse the shops for Christmas presents or take a walk around Wenceslas Square, named after Saint Wenceslas of Christmas carol fame, Duke of Bohemia in the tenth century.

4. New York City

Private Jet Charter New York

From the world class shopping to ice skating around the famous Christmas tree at the Rockefeller Centre, from romantic walks through a snow laden Central Park to taking in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, New York has something for everybody at Christmas time. Immortalised in numerous films, nothing comes close to experiencing the real thing first hand.

3. Vienna

Private Jet Charter Vienna

Spend Christmas in Vienna and you will soon discover that for the Viennese, this is a very special time of year. Christmas markets magically spring up in the city’s most picturesque squares, the warming aromas of glühwein and freshly baked Christmas treats spiced with nutmeg and ginger hang in the air, and the sound of carols and festive music drift across the city from the many carol services and live music on Riesenradplatz. You’ll want to come back next year.

2. Bruges

Private Jet Charter Bruges

Bruges comes alive at this time of year, with a wonderful Christmas market on Bruges Market Square adorned with festivities and Christmas lights. Undoubtedly, Bruges is one of Europe’s most beautiful cities, with cobbled pedestrianized streets, snowy canals, and grand squares, all framed by wonderfully preserved medieval architecture. The city is also a chocolate lovers dream – with countless shops selling delicious Belgian chocolates and pralines. Don’t miss it!

1. Copenhagen

Private Jet Charter Copenhagen

For a truly fairytale Christmas, you will be hard pressed to beat Copenhagen. Take shelter in a snug bar or local pub and watch the snow gusting outside; go for a walk down beautiful Nyhavn, with its charming brightly coloured townhouses and shops, or head to the magical Tivoli Gardens for a warming glass off glug (local mulled wine) and a romantic evening at the Christmas fair. We can’t recommend it enough.

And not forgetting…

London

Private Jet Charter London

How could we possibly compile a list of top Christmas destinations and not include our home town?! The chances of snow are perhaps slim, but there is so much to do over Christmas that its hard to ignore London. Ice skate at the beautiful Somerset House, treat the kids to the evening of their lives at Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, visit the giant Norweigan Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square, or sing carols at Westminster Abbey for midnight mass.

And if all of that bores you… Speak to us to arrange your private jet to one of the other Christmas heaven’s we’ve mentioned above. Happy Christmas!

2015 African Cup of Nations

African Cup of Nations

2015 African Cup of Nations

The 2015 Africa Cup of Nations begins next month in Equatorial Guinea. This is the 30th edition of the competition, which is the principal international football championship of Africa. It is overseen by the Confederation of African Football.

In light of this, we thought we would provide you with a detailed guide to the competition.

Equatorial Guinea – Background

The competition in 2015 will start on the 17th January, with the final being played on the 8th February. Having originally been scheduled to be held in Morocco, the Moroccan authorities refused to host the tournament in view of the Ebola epidemic in West Africa. Equatorial Guinea therefore stepped in to host the competition in their place.

Equatorial Guinea itself is a country of approximately 28,000 sq km’s, with a population of 650,000, and the official languages are Spanish and French. The capital is Malabo, with the largest city being Bata.

Stadiums

The four cities and stadiums hosting this year’s matches are Malabo, Bata, Mongomo and Ebebiyin:
Nuevo Estadio de Malabo, Malabo – capacity 15,250
Estadio de Bata, Bata – capacity 40,000
Estadio de Mongomo Stadium, Mongomo – capacity 15,000
Nuevo Estadio de Ebebiyin, Ebebiyin – capacity 5,000

Qualifying Teams

Equatorial Guinea
Congo
Gabon
Burkina Faso
Zambia
DR Congo
Cape Verde
Senegal
Algeria
Tunisia
Ghana
South Africa
Ivory Coast
Guinea
Mali
Cameroon

Competition Format

16 teams have qualified, and will be drawn into four individual groups of four. Each team in the group will play the other teams once in a league format, and ranked according to points – 3 for a win, 1 for a draw, 0 for a loss. The top two from each group following these games will progress to the knock out phase of the competition.

The Games are held as follows:

Group A

17th Jan	Equitorial Guinea v Congo	Estadio de Bata, Bata	1800
17th Jan	Gabon v Burkina Faso	Estadio de Bata, Bata	2100
21st Jan	Congo v Gabon	Estadio de Bata, Bata	2100
21st Jan	Burkina Faso v Equitorial Guinea	Estadio de Bata, Bata	1800
25th Jan	Equitorial Guinea v Gabon	Estadio de Bata, Bata	2000
25th Jan	Burkina Faso v Congo	Nuevo Estadio de Ebebiyin, Ebebiyin	2000

Group B

18th Jan	Zambia v DR Congo	Nuevo Estadio de Ebebiyin, Ebebiyin	1800
18th Jan	Cape Verde v Tunisia	Nuevo Estadio de Ebebiyin, Ebebiyin	2100
22nd Jan	DR Congo v Cape Verde	Nuevo Estadio de Ebebiyin, Ebebiyin	2100
22nd Jan	Tunisia v Zambia	Nuevo Estadio de Ebebiyin, Ebebiyin	1800
26th Jan	Zambia v Cape Verde	Nuevo Estadio de Ebebiyin, Ebebiyin	2000
26th Jan	Tunisia v DR Congo	Estadio de Bata, Bata	2000

Group C

19th Jan	Ghana v Senegal	Estadio de Mongomo, Mongomo	1800
19th Jan	South Africa v Algeria	Estadio de Mongomo, Mongomo	2100
23rd Jan	Senegal v South Africa	Estadio de Mongomo, Mongomo	2100
23rd Jan	Algeria v Ghana	Estadio de Mongomo, Mongomo	1800
27th Jan	Ghana v South Africa	Estadio de Mongomo, Mongomo	2000
27th Jan	Algeria v Senegal	Nuevo Estadio de Malabo, Malabo	2000

Group D

20th Jan	Ivory Coast v Guinea	Nuevo Estadio de Malabo, Malabo	1800
20th Jan	Cameroon v Mali	Nuevo Estadio de Malabo, Malabo	2100
24th Jan	Guinea v Cameroon	Nuevo Estadio de Malabo, Malabo	2100
24th Jan	Mali v Ivory Coast	Nuevo Estadio de Malabo, Malabo	1800
28th Jan	Ivory Coast v Cameroon	Nuevo Estadio de Malabo, Malabo	2000
28th Jan	Mali v Guinea	Estadio de Mongomo, Mongomo	2000

Quater Finals

31st Jan	Group A Winner v Group B Runner Up	Estadio de Bata, Bata	1800
31st Jan	Group B Winner v Group A Runner Up	Nuevo Estadio de Ebebiyin	2100
1st Feb	Group C Winner v Group D Runner Up	Estadio de Mongomo	1800
1st Feb	Group D Winner v Group C Runner Up	Nuevo Estadio de Mamabo	2100

Semi-Finals

4th Feb	QF1 Winner v QF4 Winner	Estadio de Bata, Bata	2100
5th Feb	QF2 Winner v QF3 Winner	Nuevo Estadio de Malabo	2100

3rd Place Play Off

7th Feb

Semi Final 1 Loser v Semi Final 2 Loser

Nuevo Estadio de Malabo

2000

Final

8th Feb

Final

Estadio de Bata

2100

Private Jet Charter to Equatorial Guinea

Private jet charter from London to Bata, Equatorial Guinea on 17th January based on four persons starts from €82,000 for a long range jet. For private jet charter to or from the African Cup of Nations, get in touch and one of our African based team will be in touch.