SUFFOLK entrepreneur Graeme Kalbraier has sold his majority stake in the Norwich-based air charter businesses SaxonAir Charter and SaxonAir Flight Support to Klyne Aviation for an undisclosed sum.

SUFFOLK entrepreneur Graeme Kalbraier has sold his majority stake in the Norwich-based air charter businesses SaxonAir Charter and SaxonAir Flight Support to Klyne Aviation for an undisclosed sum.

Call centre business Call Connection, which is also owned by Mr Kalbraier and employs more than 300 staff in Ipswich, is unaffected by the deal.

SaxonAir comprises a successful private and business aviation air charter business for flights out of Norwich and the East Midlands, a profitable brokering sub-charter business for flights from any European airport and a ground handling and flight support business, all underpinned by a staff of 10.

New owner Klyne Aviation intends developing the business significantly and is to introduce its own aircraft to operate alongside those of SaxonAir to modernise and extend the fleet which will then consist of two Beech King Air turbo prop and two executive jet aircraft.

Mr Kalbraier said: “The acquisition by Klyne Aviation is excellent news and the immediate expansion of the fleet represents a tremendous boost to the business by allowing the company to offer existing and new customers access to a superb range of modern jet and turbo prop aircraft for business and private charter.

“We wish the new owners every success in the continued development of the business in what promises to be an exciting time.”

Klyne Aviation was advised on the acquisition by Nick Hallett and Stephen Reed of PKF accountants and business advisers and by Adrian Possener of Birketts Solicitors.

The existing shareholders were advised by Richard Hines and Hubert Brandts of Hines Associates and by Keith Lewington of Dunham Law, solicitors.