United Kingdom – Farnborough-based business aviation sales and charter specialist Affinity Aviation Group has acquired a shareholding in AeronautX UK Ltd, establishing a strategic collaboration with Austrian business aviation training provider AeronautX. The investment supports AeronautX's expansion into the UK market ahead of the planned opening of its business jet simulator training centre near Amsterdam Schiphol Airport.

AeronautX's new Amsterdam training centre is scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2027, initially supporting Bombardier Challenger 350/3500 and Challenger 650 pilot training. The company's published course schedule identifies Challenger 300-series training from Q1 2027 and Challenger 600-series training from Q2 2027.
The partnership includes an equity investment by Affinity in AeronautX's UK business.
AeronautX has established a UK office within Affinity Aviation Group's headquarters at Farnborough Airport in Hampshire. The arrangement provides the Austrian training provider with a presence at a UK business aviation airport as it develops its training activities and operator relationships.
Affinity specialises in business aircraft sales and acquisitions, particularly pre-owned Bombardier Global aircraft.
Affinity reported a 22% year-on-year increase in aircraft sales and acquisition revenue during the third quarter of 2026, while transaction volumes remained unchanged from the corresponding period in 2025.
AFM previously reported that AeronautX announced its Amsterdam pilot training centre in October 2026, following its integration into the Zurich-based AX Aero Group earlier in the year.
The Amsterdam facility will offer initial type ratings, recurrent training, Type Rating Instructor (TRI) qualifications and operator-specific courses. AeronautX plans to use Level D full-flight simulators for the Challenger 350/3500 and Challenger 650, with UK Civil Aviation Authority certification intended for the devices. The organisation also reports existing base training approvals covering Embraer and Gulfstream aircraft.

Statements

“This new partnership with Affinity Aviation Group and our presence at Farnborough Airport are key to AeronautX 's growing UK operations. Our new training centre opens in Q1 2027 with Bombardier Challenger 350/3500 and Challenger 650 full flight simulators, all of which will be UK CAA certified. This builds on the Base Training approvals AeronautX already holds for Embraer and Gulfstream Aerospace aircraft,” said Joerg Oberhofer, Founder and CEO of AeronautX.
“This partnership represents an exciting step forward for both teams as we also strengthen our presence in business aviation. With AeronautX investing heavily in the future of business aviation training, this is an exciting opportunity to build a relationship with a like-minded organisation that shares our commitment to expertise, quality and long-term growth,” said Andrew Hoy, Founding CEO of Affinity Aviation Group.

About Affinity Aviation Group
Affinity Aviation Group is a UK business aviation brokerage and advisory company established in 2015 and headquartered at Farnborough Airport, Hampshire, specialising in aircraft sales, acquisitions, charter and aircraft ownership services. The company operates the flyAffinity private charter membership service and provides aircraft inspection and transaction support to international business aviation customers.

About AeronautX
AeronautX is an Austrian pilot training organisation established in 1997 and headquartered in Wels, Austria, operating as part of AX Aero Group. The company provides business aviation pilot training, aircraft type ratings, recurrent training, instructor qualifications and related training services under EASA and UK CAA approval frameworks.

Source: Affinity Aviation Group

Austrian Pilot Training Organization Secures UK Investor Ahead of 2027 Simulator Centre Launch

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