(SWITZERLAND) Switzerland’s Transwing has added its first Citation M2 Gen2 to its Austrian Air Operator’s Certificate, a step recorded on August 14, 2025, that crowns months of regulatory planning and puts the company on a wider European footing. The move follows the award of Transwing’s Austrian AOC (#A-178) on February 26, 2025, and uses an ICAO Article 83bis agreement so Swiss‑registered aircraft can fly under Austrian operational control while serving clients across the region.
Transwing confirmed that its first of two ordered Citation M2 Gen2s, OE-FBM (msn 525-1197), was ferried from Textron Aviation’s Wichita base to Zurich between August 12 and 14, routing through the United States 🇺🇸, Canada 🇨🇦, Greenland, Iceland, the UK, and Austria. A second Citation M2 Gen2, msn 525-1201, is due imminently to complete the 2025 plan.
The company now fields three aircraft in total:
– One Swiss‑registered Citation M2, HB‑VTW (msn 525‑1044), previously dry‑leased to AFS Alpine Flightservice and now in‑house on the Austrian AOC
– The newly delivered OE‑FBM
– The pending second Gen2 (msn 525‑1201)
CEO Mark Meyer has framed the expansion as a practical way to pair Swiss registration with Austrian oversight for a broader charter offering, while staying within the rules set by Article 83bis.
Fleet expansion under Austrian oversight
The Citation M2 Gen2 brings several operational and customer-facing improvements:
– Upgraded interiors
– Advanced avionics
– A quieter, more comfortable cabin
– Maintains the short‑haul performance valued on European routes
Seating up to six passengers, the type suits city pairs that need speed, a small footprint, and reliable dispatch. With the Gen2s, Transwing becomes the third operator with an Austrian AOC to fly this model, joining Avcon Jet and AFS Alpine Flightservice. Textron Aviation supplied the aircraft, with these deliveries among the last units of the series.
Transwing’s Austrian AOC was secured through Transwing GmbH, set up in 2024 to support the application and the shift to in‑house operations. After the certificate was granted, HB‑VTW moved from AFS Alpine Flightservice’s code into Transwing’s own operation.
How the Article 83bis arrangement works in this case
- Switzerland remains the state of registry for the aircraft.
- Austria takes day‑to‑day operational oversight under the AOC.
- This split allows a Swiss‑based company to serve the EU market under a single operational authority.
The process required:
– A local corporate presence
– Implemented safety systems
– Evidence the operator could meet Austrian rules for training, maintenance control, and quality management
Ferry delivery and cross‑border oversight in practice
The first Citation M2 Gen2’s multi‑stop ferry demonstrates practical cross‑border oversight:
- Deliveries from Wichita must pass through multiple airspaces and airports.
- Documentation is checked at each stage of the ferry.
- Upon arrival in Zurich, the aircraft entered service under the Austrian AOC while retaining Swiss registration marks, enabled by the 83bis split of responsibilities.
Industry analysts note this setup is especially useful in Europe where short flights can cross several national systems. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, regional operators often seek consistent rules and predictable supervision when planning fleet growth.
The 83bis model reduces duplicate checks and clarifies responsibilities, helping keep aircraft in service with fewer delays.
Operational effects and regulatory context
Transwing describes the expanded fleet as available for charter on a floating basis, meaning aircraft are positioned where demand is strongest rather than tied to a single home base. Benefits include:
– Shorter wait times for customers across central and western Europe
– Greater routing flexibility for business travelers and brokers
– Improved schedule stability with three aircraft available
The company plans to launch managed aircraft services in 2026, allowing private owners to place jets under Transwing’s control for crew, maintenance, and dispatch while retaining ownership.
Austria’s AOC remains attractive because of the country’s:
– Central location
– Experienced authority
– Perceived clarity of rules and strong safety oversight within Europe
For official confirmation of AOC status and regulatory scope, Austria’s aviation authority provides guidance and verification tools on its website: https://www.austrocontrol.at/.
Article 83bis — simple explanation
Article 83bis, under ICAO, allows two states to agree on oversight division:
1. Registration remains with one state.
2. Operational control can be assigned to another state.
For Transwing:
– Swiss markings stay on the jet.
– Austria supervises day‑to‑day operations.
– The split is documented and public so inspectors and partners know which authority handles which responsibilities (operations manuals, crew training, maintenance oversight).
Impact on crews, customers, and market positioning
For crews and customers the change should be largely seamless:
– Passengers experience newer cabins, faster turnarounds, and more routing options
– Pilots and engineers operate under one set of rules backed by Austrian compliance while meeting Swiss registry standards
– Brokers benefit from clearer availability via the floating fleet model
Light jets like the Citation M2 Gen2 are chosen for:
– Speed
– Short runway performance
– Flexibility for fast access to financial centers and manufacturing hubs
Timing also matters: taking the first Gen2 in mid‑August positions Transwing for late‑summer and autumn demand, when events, board meetings, and factory ramp‑ups drive short‑notice bookings. Adding the second airframe shortly after helps avoid common small‑fleet bottlenecks and eases maintenance scheduling without canceling flights.
Market perspective and forward indicators
Transwing’s strategy highlights how smaller operators can scale with:
– A focused type rating
– A single oversight authority
– A cross‑border framework aligned with their home base
The company’s Swiss roots remain central to its brand, while the Austrian AOC gives it a recognized platform to serve EU clients. This balance—Swiss registration with Austrian operations—reflects a broader trend in European business aviation toward practical, documented cooperation that keeps safety central while enabling growth.
Key markers to watch:
1. On‑time arrival of msn 525‑1201
2. Steady charter uptake across multiple cities
3. Smooth launch of managed aircraft services in 2026
If those elements succeed, Transwing’s place among Austrian AOC holders operating the Citation M2 Gen2 will be solidified and further fleet or service growth may follow.
In short: certificate in hand, first Gen2 delivered, second on the way, and operations aligned under Article 83bis — an efficient path for a Swiss company aiming to serve Europe more widely without changing its registration home.
This Article in a Nutshell
Transwing expanded European reach by placing a Citation M2 Gen2 onto Austrian AOC A-178 on August 14, 2025, using ICAO Article 83bis to keep Swiss registration while enabling Austrian operational control across short-haul charter routes.
