Cat Aviation
Cat Aviation AG is a Zurich-based private aviation operator founded in 1987, providing on-demand business jet charter, full-service aircraft management, and CAMO compliance to high-net-worth individuals, corporates, and aircraft owners in Switzerland and worldwide.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1987
- HeadquartersZürich, Switzerland
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Cat Aviation does
Cat Aviation AG is a privately held Swiss business aviation operator headquartered at Zurich Airport, founded in 1987 by Helene Niedhart. The company provides on-demand private jet charter and comprehensive aircraft management services to high-net-worth individuals, corporate clients, and aircraft owners in Switzerland and internationally. Its fleet of approximately 9-10 modern business jets spans the Dassault Falcon 7X, Falcon 2000LXS, Falcon 6X, Pilatus PC-24, and Gulfstream G650ER, supporting missions from short European hops to ultra-long-range intercontinental flights.
The company operates under an EASA Part M Subpart G and I CAMO approval and an IS-BAO certified Safety Management System, with an in-house CAMO team available 24/7 to manage airworthiness, maintenance, and regulatory compliance. The 'Plane Care' aircraft management offering covers selection, technical advisory, interior configuration, regulatory compliance, and round-the-clock operational support for third-party-owned aircraft. Adjacent businesses include Jet Gourmet (in-house premium catering, founded 2016) and Cat Air Service AG (Fixed Base Operator ground handling at Zurich and Basel, founded 2014 as a joint venture with Air Service Basel GmbH). The company also operates the Cat's Corner bistro and VIP lounge at the General Aviation Center at Zurich Airport.
Revenue is generated through three core streams: per-flight charter fees (transactional, quote-based), recurring aircraft management and CAMO fees, and managed-services revenue from FBO handling and catering. Distribution is exclusively direct — via website request, phone, email, and walk-ins at the Zurich, Basel, and Geneva offices — targeting HNWI and corporate clients primarily in or transiting Switzerland, with global reach across Europe, the Americas, Asia, and the Middle East. The company has operated accident-free for over 30 years and 60,000 flight hours, recognized by the EBAA Silver Flight Award for Safety in 2017.
Cat Aviation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Cat Aviation
- Legal name
- Cat Aviation AG
- Website
- https://cat-aviation.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1987
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Cat Aviation AG is a Zurich-based private aviation operator founded in 1987, providing on-demand business jet charter, full-service aircraft management, and CAMO compliance to high-net-worth individuals, corporates, and aircraft owners in Switzerland and worldwide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Cat Aviation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Business Aviation Services
- NAICS
- Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation (481211), Support Activities for Air Transportation (4881)
- SIC
- Air Transportation, Nonscheduled (4522)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Private Jet Charter (Midsize/Super-Midsize/Heavy Jet) (TLAFABAB)
Keywords
Where Cat Aviation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Zürich
- HQ country
- Switzerland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices4 records
Markets served
Cat Aviation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Private Charter Flights: Cat Aviation generates revenue by providing on-demand private jet charter services using its owned and operated fleet of modern business jets. Customers pay for individual flights based on aircraft type, route, duration, and services requested. The company serves customers globally with flights departing from Switzerland.
- Aircraft Management (Plane Care): The company manages private aircraft for owners through its 'Plane Care' service, providing complete operational management including aircraft selection assistance, technical and interior advisory, regulatory compliance management, maintenance scheduling, CAMO services, and 24/7 operational support. Revenue is generated through management fees charged to aircraft owners.
- FBO Services (Cat Air Service AG): Through the subsidiary Cat Air Service AG (founded 2014, co-operated with Air Service Basel GmbH), Cat Aviation provides Fixed Base Operator services at Zurich Airport and Basel, serving as a ground handling and facilities partner for business aviation operations.
- Catering (Jet Gourmet): Through the in-house catering brand Jet Gourmet (launched 2016), Cat Aviation provides premium in-flight catering services, which are offered to charter clients and may be available to external aviation clients as a bundled or standalone offering.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Charter flights are priced per flight based on aircraft type, route, and services. No public pricing is available. |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Cat Aviation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Cat Aviation is a Swiss private aviation company that provides on-demand private jet charter services using a modern fleet of business jets (Dassault Falcon 7X, Falcon 2000LXS, Pilatus PC-24, Dassault Falcon 6X, and Gulfstream G650ER), together with comprehensive aircraft management services under its Plane Care brand covering operational, technical, and regulatory support. The offering is reinforced by EASA-certified Continuing Airworthiness Management Organization (CAMO) services, in-house premium catering (Jet Gourmet), and Fixed Base Operator ground handling (Cat Air Service AG).
Product overview
Cat Aviation is a Zurich-based private aviation company offering charter flights and comprehensive aircraft management services. The core offering consists of Charter Flight Services operating a modern fleet of business jets (Dassault Falcon 7X, Falcon 2000LXS, Pilatus PC-24, and Falcon 6X), supplemented by Aircraft Management services including CAMO (Continuing Airworthiness Management Organization) under the 'Plane Care' brand. The company also operates complementary businesses including Jet Gourmet (catering), Cat Air Service AG (FBO ground handling), and Cat's Corner bistro/VIP lounge. Founded in 1987, the company has over 30 years of experience in private aviation.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Charter Flight Services On-demand private charter flight services using a modern fleet of business jets including Dassault Falcon 7X (ultra-long-range), Falcon 2000LXS (mid-to-long-range), Pilatus PC-24 (versatile short-range), Dassault Falcon 6X (world's first), and Gulfstream G650ER. Customers decide timetable and itinerary while Cat Aviation handles all operational details, with global reach and access to destinations not served by commercial airlines.
- Aircraft Management (Plane Care) Comprehensive aircraft management services under the 'Plane Care' brand for private aircraft owners, including aircraft selection assistance, technical and interior recommendations, regulatory compliance management, maintenance scheduling oversight, CAMO services, and 24/7 operations support. Designed for private individuals or corporations that own business jets.
- CAMO (Continuing Airworthiness Management Organization) EASA Part M Subpart G and I approved airworthiness management services ensuring regulatory compliance, maintenance tracking, warranty management, Airworthiness Directives (ADs) and Service Bulletins (SBs) monitoring, and complete aircraft logbook maintenance for owned and managed aircraft.
- Jet Gourmet (Catering) Premium in-flight catering brand established in 2016, providing high-quality in-flight dining services for charter clients and external aviation clients.
- Cat Air Service AG (FBO Services) Fixed Base Operator (FBO) services established in 2014 in partnership with Air Service Basel GmbH, providing ground handling, facilities, and operational support services for business aviation at Zurich Airport and Basel Airport.
- Cat's Corner Bistro and VIP Lounge Bistro and VIP lounge facility opened in 2013 at the General Aviation Center, Zurich Airport, offering passenger services to charter clients.
Quantifiable outcome
- 30 years and 60,000 flight hours of accident-free operation (recognized by EBAA Silver Flight Award 2017)
Companies that use Cat Aviation
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Cat Aviation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Cat Aviation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Jet GourmetcoreJet Gourmet is Cat Aviation's in-house premium catering brand, established in 2016. It provides freshly prepared, high-quality in-flight catering for charter clients. Jet Gourmet is operated as a distinct business entity and also serves external aviation clients.
- Cat Air Service AGcoreCat Air Service AG is a Fixed Base Operator (FBO) company founded by Cat Aviation in 2014, co-operated with Air Service Basel GmbH. It provides ground handling, facilities, and operational support services for business aviation at Zurich Airport and Basel Airport.
- Air Service Basel GmbHcoreCo-founded Cat Air Service AG together with Cat Aviation in 2014. Air Service Basel GmbH operates as an FBO at Basel Airport and partners with Cat Aviation on ground handling services.
- European Business Aviation Association (EBAA)minorCat Aviation is a member of the EBAA, a leading European business aviation association that sets standards, advocates for the industry, and organizes events including EBACE. The company was awarded the EBAA Silver Flight Award for Safety 2017.
- National Business Aviation Association (NBAA)minorCat Aviation holds membership in the NBAA, the leading US-based business aviation association that advocates for the industry and sets operational standards.
- International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) / IS-BAOminorCat Aviation is IS-BAO (International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations) certified, a safety management standard administered by IBAC. The company's IS-BAO certification demonstrates adherence to internationally recognized safety management system requirements.
- Swiss Business Aviation Association (SBAA)minorCat Aviation is a member of the Swiss Business Aviation Association (SBAA), the national trade body representing and advocating for business aviation in Switzerland.
- Air Service Basel (FBO)minorAir Service Basel operates as the FBO partner at Basel Airport, complementing the Cat Air Service AG operations at Zurich Airport.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Cat Aviation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- TAG Aviation: Geneva-based global business aviation group offering charter, aircraft management, FBO, and maintenance services across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Directly comparable in scope of services and Swiss/European orientation to Cat Aviation.
- VistaJet: Global private aviation company operating a uniform fleet of large-cabin business jets (including Falcons and Global aircraft) under a subscription/jet-card model. Directly comparable fleet profile (Dassault-heavy) and global charter footprint to Cat Aviation.
- Jet Aviation: Swiss-headquartered (Basel) business aviation operator with charter, aircraft management, FBO, and MRO services — the closest direct competitor to Cat Aviation, with overlapping fleet profiles (Dassault, Gulfstream, Bombardier) and similar Swiss/European customer base.
- Air Partner: UK-headquartered private aviation and charter broker with global reach, offering on-demand private jet charter, group charter, and managed services. Competes with Cat Aviation in the European corporate charter market, though primarily as a broker rather than fleet operator.
- PrivateFly: UK-based on-demand private jet charter broker (now part of Directional Aviation/NetJets group). Comparable to Cat Aviation in the European on-demand charter segment, though with a marketplace/broker model rather than owned-fleet operation.
- Luxaviation: Luxembourg-headquartered business aviation group with charter, aircraft management, and FBO services across Europe. Competes head-to-head with Cat Aviation in the European mid-to-large cabin charter and management segment.
Broad incumbents
- NetJets: World's largest fractional ownership and private aviation company (Berkshire Hathaway-owned), operating hundreds of aircraft globally. Overlaps with Cat Aviation on charter and management but at vastly greater scale and with broader product range.
- Wheels Up: US-based membership-based private aviation company offering on-demand charter, jet cards, and fractional ownership across a large managed fleet. Broader incumbent with overlapping customer segment (HNWI, corporate) but different geographic focus and product model than Cat Aviation.
- Flexjet: US-based fractional jet ownership and lease provider operating a fleet including large-cabin platforms (Gulfstream, Bombardier). Comparable fleet and product overlap with Cat Aviation, though primarily focused on the North American market.
Emerging players
- GlobeAir: European on-demand private jet charter operator (headquartered in Austria) specializing in light and mid-cabin jets with an app-based booking platform. Adjacent competitor to Cat Aviation in the European charter market with a younger, more digital customer-acquisition model.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Cat Aviation social profiles
Digital presenceCat Aviation compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Cat Aviation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Cat Aviation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Cat Aviation subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Cat Aviation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Cat Aviation M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Cat Aviation
What does Cat Aviation do?
Cat Aviation is a Swiss private aviation company that provides on-demand private jet charter services using a modern fleet of business jets (Dassault Falcon 7X, Falcon 2000LXS, Pilatus PC-24, Dassault Falcon 6X, and Gulfstream G650ER), together with comprehensive aircraft management services under its Plane Care brand covering operational, technical, and regulatory support. The offering is reinforced by EASA-certified Continuing Airworthiness Management Organization (CAMO) services, in-house premium catering (Jet Gourmet), and Fixed Base Operator ground handling (Cat Air Service AG).
Is Cat Aviation a public or private company?
Cat Aviation is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Cat Aviation founded?
Cat Aviation was founded in 1987. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Cat Aviation based?
Cat Aviation is headquartered in Zürich, Switzerland, in the Europe region.
How does Cat Aviation make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Private Charter Flights are the primary driver. The others are aircraft Management (Plane Care), FBO Services (Cat Air Service AG) and catering (Jet Gourmet).
Who are Cat Aviation's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are TAG Aviation, VistaJet, Jet Aviation, Air Partner, PrivateFly and Luxaviation. Broad incumbents are NetJets, Wheels Up and Flexjet. GlobeAir is listed as an emerging player.
Does Cat Aviation have an API?
No public API is recorded for Cat Aviation.
What industry is Cat Aviation in?
Cat Aviation's product category is Business Aviation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLAFABAB, Private Jet Charter (Midsize/Super-Midsize/Heavy Jet). Its NAICS code is 481211 and its SIC code is 4522.