A new Embraer Legacy 600 is the crown jewel of the Omni Air Transport fleet.
STEPHEN PINGRY/Tulsa World
By KYLE ARNOLD, Tulsa World
Published: 12/9/2011 2:25 AM
Last Modified: 12/9/2011 4:10 AM
Omni Air Transport Inc. is expanding its fleet by 50 percent, a big move for a tiny airline.
The Tulsa-based company has acquired two new planes, a 13-passenger Embraer Legacy 600 and a five-passenger twin-propeller Beechcraft Baron BE-58, bringing its fleet to six planes.
To date the company has done all of its business with four Learjet 45s that hold eight to nine passengers.
The larger and smaller planes are a game-changer for the company, said business development director Michael Soriano. With the new aircraft, Omni Air is better situated for larger corporate groups and small business travelers who prefer the convenience of chartered air travel.
"It's not necessarily just corporate travelers," Soriano said. "We get individuals and large families heading on vacation that want to travel together."
The Legacy 600 becomes the crown jewel of the Omni Air fleet. The 86-foot business-class jet has a leather interior, a small kitchen with microwave oven, satellite radio as well as wide-screen television monitors and satellite telephone.
It also has room for a flight attendant, 240 cubic feet for luggage and a 6-foot ceiling, more than a foot higher than the other planes.
But one of the biggest advantages is the range of about 3,700 miles, Soriano said.
"We've always served Western Europe and Canada, but with this much range we can travel anywhere with fewer stops," he said.
The company's older jets have a range of about 2,200 miles.
Omni Air has benefited from a resurgence in corporate air travel in recent months, allowing the company to add more pilots. It now has about 35 employees.
"Business did take a dip, but this year has been booming," Soriano said.
Meanwhile, Omni Air's new Beechcraft Baron aircraft will help the company cater to smaller groups, such as oil companies that need to take small crews to rural areas.
The twin-prop has a range of about 800 miles.
"We have corporate clients that are in the oil industry," Soriano said. "It's great for getting in and out of any airport."
Omni Air Transport's new planes
Embraer Legacy 600
Passengers: 13, as well as attendant and two pilots
Range: 3,700 miles
Beechcraft Baron BE-58
Passengers: 5 including pilots
Range: 800 miles
Original Print Headline: Growing by half
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