Having ferried more aircraft to more places in the world than anyone else, Southern Cross Aviation was pleased to place two new pins in their world map during 2013, ticking Burundi and Vanuatu off the short list of countries where they hadn’t previously had flights. Continuing a fifteen-year tradition, Southern Cross also delivered new Chinese-manufactured aircraft from factories in China to locations in Africa and South America. In total, Southern Cross performed over 100 delivery, observation and test flights in multiple countries around the world, including exotic locales such as Morocco, India, Afghanistan, Kwajalein, Tahiti, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia.
Southern Cross pilots traversed the planet time and again in 2013, providing services to airplane manufacturers, major airlines, leasing companies and numerous individuals around the world – including the owner of a major internet company. “Moving airplanes is and has always been our only business,” said owner and President, Peter Fraser, noting that he and his pilots did everything from picking up new Airbus A320s at the factory to delivering retiring Boeing 747-400s back to the U.S. to be parted out.
The aircraft moved this past year covered the spectrum from small executive jets to large cargo airplanes. To accommodate their customers’ needs to take short-range aircraft on long ocean crossings, Southern Cross added long-range ferry fuel systems to commuter turboprops such as the de Havilland DHC-6 and DHC-8, ATRs and the new Viking 400.
Southern Cross also assisted leasing companies in the extraction of aircraft that had to be repossessed following airline bankruptcies. Such dealings tend to be complicated and delicate since bureaucratic considerations are often a major factor in repossessions.
In 2013, Southern Cross added several new General Terms Agreements to their roster, facilitating work with major leasing companies and airlines. They also added the facility to add compliant aircraft to their RVSM and MNPS maintenance programs, affording their customers more efficient and economic operations. Thus, Southern Cross Aviation has continued to consolidate its unique position as the only independent ferrying company able to compete with the services offered by large corporate holdings. “Staying independent and focused on ferrying is important,” noted Peter. “It lets us offer highly personalized service at truly competitive rates.”
Peter and the crew at Southern Cross Aviation have reason to be proud of the work they did in 2013. From their offices in Yamhill, Oregon, they arranged the seamless flights of hundreds of aircraft around the world, just as they’ve done for nearly four decades. This proven track record has garnered Southern Cross a position of strength with clients old and new, all of whom appreciate the company’s expertise, dedication, personal touch and concern for the customer’s best interests.