First Class Cars (FCC), a luxury ground transportation service for business aviation headquartered at Luton Airport, expects to show a 20 percent increase in revenues in 2009. This projection is based on solid returns in the last four months of 2008.
The company has seen continued growth since it began operation in 1999. It had more than 9,000 business aviation-related trips in 2008, a 30 percent increase over 2007. This strong growth has allowed FCC owners to purchase five S-Class Mercedes, a Rolls Royce Phantom and a Bentley Continental Flying Spur bringing its existing fleet to 35 vehicles.
FCC has cars strategically located at Luton, Stanstead, Biggin Hill, Farnborough, and RAF Northolt Airports, which enable it to meet any aircraft’s needs within 3 minutes.
Besides serving the five regional London airports, FCC also has an excellent presence at Gatwick and Heathrow.
“We’ve seen about a 25 percent decrease in business from charter operations, but at the same time we grew the corporate jet side of our business,” said FCC chief executive Graham Coate.  “Our net profits resulted from new business gained in the last four months of 2008, the majority of which came from US corporation aircraft flying into London’s regional airports,” Coate said.
FCC’s Business Mix
Coate expects the charter market will begin to rebound in the second half of 2009 directly attributable to the negative comments from US legislators on corporations using costly business aircraft for travel.
“I just can’t see a CEO discussing acquisitions in a commercial carrier’s first class cabin,” he said. “Top executives need privacy when discussing their company’s business so instead of using commercial aircraft, we see an alternative trend of using charter aircraft. Corporate business travel needs are site specific and often require quick turnarounds.
 “Our customer mix, which should remain consistent this year, is about 50 percent from the US, 30 percent from Russia and the remaining 20 percent from Europe,” Coate said.
 “About 70 percent of our customers are corporations and 30 percent charter and fractionals.  In 2009, we predict our growth will come from gaining additional FBOs using our services plus enlarging our corporate base to about 85 percent and this should help us grow by 20 percent even with the economy the way it is,” he said.
 “We do not anticipate the same growth we’ve experienced the past several years but we do intend to increase the fleet again in 2009. We still believe the business aviation market is solid and we are in it for the long term.”
About the Business
Coate started the company in 1999 with just 1 luxury car. By 2001, FCC had a stable of 4 luxury cars and in 2003 FCC added 5 luxury cars and 8 drivers. Three years later, it doubled the fleet to 20 luxury cars and had a total of 18 drivers. Over the next two years, FCC continued to grow its customer base allowing the company to reach its present level of 35 cars and more than 35 drivers in 2008.  FCC has the authorization to drive right to the aircraft airside in order to pick up or deliver passengers and/or crew. The company carries 50 million pounds sterling in airside insurance.     
 “All our drivers have been vetted by the local Constabulary and each has gone through a rigorous training program along with a six-month probation period. That includes executing security measures required to transport government officials, the ability to locate multiple locations in and around London and speaking several languages,” Coate said.

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