Yes, Mike Ashley, through his significant association with the Frasers Group, has access to and utilizes a helicopter as part of the company's private air fleet.
Mike Ashley's Air Fleet and Usage
The Frasers Group, a prominent retail and intellectual property conglomerate with which Mike Ashley is deeply involved, maintains a dedicated private air fleet for corporate travel and operational needs. This fleet is comprised of both a private jet and a helicopter, enabling efficient and flexible transportation for the group's leadership and executives.
The helicopter within this fleet is an Agusta Westland AW109, a high-performance twin-engine helicopter renowned for its speed, spacious cabin, and suitability for corporate transport. Complementing the helicopter, the Frasers Group also owns a Dassault Falcon 7X private jet. This long-range trijet was acquired by the group in 2016 for a reported cost of $51 million.
The active utilization of these corporate aircraft by Mike Ashley and other Frasers Group executives is evident in the substantial operational expenditures. During the last financial year (from April 30th, 2023, to the present), the spending on the private jet and helicopter notably increased, rising from $1.9 million to $3.3 million compared to the previous year. This significant investment underscores the importance of these assets to the group's operational strategy.
Details of the Frasers Group Aircraft
The private air assets managed by the Frasers Group include:
- Helicopter: An Agusta Westland AW109
- Private Jet: A Dassault Falcon 7X (acquired in 2016 for $51 million)
These aircraft serve primarily for corporate travel, facilitating the swift movement of personnel to various locations, overseeing operations across a vast geographical network, and ensuring privacy for sensitive business discussions.
Understanding Corporate Aviation Benefits
For global enterprises like the Frasers Group, owning and operating private aircraft, including helicopters, offers strategic advantages beyond mere convenience:
- Enhanced Time Efficiency: Private aviation allows executives to bypass the delays and fixed schedules of commercial airlines, enabling direct travel to specific destinations and optimizing valuable time.
- Privacy and Confidentiality: Corporate aircraft provide a secure and confidential environment, essential for conducting sensitive business meetings and discussions while in transit.
- Operational Flexibility: The ability to dispatch aircraft on demand to a wide range of locations, including those not adequately served by commercial flights, offers unparalleled operational flexibility.
- Increased Productivity: Travel time on private jets and helicopters can be transformed into productive work hours, as executives can engage in meetings, make calls, and work undisturbed.
Here's a summary of the aircraft in the Frasers Group fleet:
| Aircraft Type | Model | Acquisition Details |
|---|---|---|
| Helicopter | Agusta Westland AW109 | Utilized for corporate transport |
| Private Jet | Dassault Falcon 7X | Purchased for $51 million in 2016 |
