Goldeck-Flug (GDK, Klagenfurt) is planning to add a Global Express XRS and a Challenger 300 as it returns to the business jet market after a three-year gap. The Austrian operator confirmed the plans to the Kleine Zeitung, a local newspaper, and published corresponding job advertisements for pilots.
Managing director Thomas Schindler did not disclose the identity of the aircraft but said that both would be transferred by their owners from the fleet of another Austrian operator. The ch-aviation fleets module shows that there are currently five Global Express XRS jets registered in Austria (two operated by Avcon Jet and one each by Glock Aviation, International Jet Management, and SPARFELL Luftfahrt), as well as three Challenger 300s (two with SPARFELL and one with Avcon Jet).
According to the job ads, both aircraft will be based at Vienna. The operator plans to begin operations of the jets in July 2025. The owners of the aircraft are also Vienna-based Austrians. The aircraft will be available for charter. To facilitate their global operations, Goldeck-Flug recently applied for a US Foreign Air Carrier Permit (FACP).
Goldeck-Flug currently operates two PC-12/47Es. Schindler said that the operator recently sold the oldest unit of the type, OE-EPH (msn 1843) - which has since been re-registered in San Marino via the United States - and replaced it with a new unit of the type. Currently, only OE-EPM (msn 1924) is active out of the Wiener Neustadt base.
The operator used to have a sizeable fleet of business jets, reaching nine units in 2005-2006, the ch-aviation fleets history module shows. However, it later gradually exited this segment, phasing out its last Citation Latitude in 2022.
Goldeck-Flug is owned by ZMH GmbH, an investment entity for the Haselsteiner Family Private Foundation, established by Hans Peter Haselsteiner, founder of the construction giant Strabag.
