Traveling to Tenerife by private jet is far from the norm and certainly unaffordable for the average person.
Typically, you’d fly to the island on a scheduled or charter flight, travel by ferry with your own vehicle, arrive by private boat, or, in rare cases, by private jet. But how extraordinary can a story become when you’ve experienced it firsthand? How realistic does a column feel when it’s based on personal experience?
I’ve been traveling to Tenerife for years and have flown with various airlines, including Air Belgium, Sobelair, Spanair, Iberia, Ryanair, Constellation, Jetairfly, Thomas Cook, TUI, and Brussels Airlines, to name just a few. Nothing unusual—I flew like everyone else. But I wouldn’t be myself if I didn’t try something different once in a while. On one occasion, I traveled to Tenerife by motorcycle, riding as far as Cádiz, where the ferry took care of the rest. And then there’s the time I traveled by private jet—a story that begins here. Not because I’m wealthy—it just happened!
Luxaviation
Previously known as Abelag, and before that Sky Service, Luxaviation has been operating for decades from various airports, including Kortrijk-Wevelgem Airport. The company manages a fleet of private jets flying worldwide to meet the demands of its clients, whether for organ and repatriation flights, business trips, or VIP transport. Their client list is extensive, though confidentiality prevents me from sharing details.
Celebrities, artists, athletes, politicians, business executives—anyone with deep enough pockets to afford this mode of travel forms part of Luxaviation’s clientele. Their fleet includes some of the most luxurious and exclusive private jets imaginable, offering passengers the utmost comfort as they traverse the globe. With around 50 large and smaller business liners, the company operates from five main airports: Brussels, Antwerp, and Kortrijk in Belgium, Eindhoven in the Netherlands, and Lille in northern France. Annually, they transport tens of thousands of high-profile clients across all continents. You can explore the company’s history [HERE].
A Unique Connection
In a previous professional life, I assisted the company with logistical support during a corporate event at Kortrijk-Wevelgem Airport. This effort was greatly appreciated, so much so that I was offered a “little flight” as a token of gratitude. You know the kind of offer: “If the opportunity ever arises…”
Years Went by Without that Opportunity Materializing.
Meanwhile, Kortrijk-Wevelgem Airport sought to establish itself internationally, which required a dedicated fire brigade. With my background as a professional firefighter and pilot, I held the necessary qualifications and, after rigorous psycho-technical tests, was appointed fire chief of the airport’s newly established fire service. This brought me closer to the operations of aviation-related companies.
In this role, I crossed paths with Luc O., a representative of the then-Abelag, and seized the moment to remind him of the “little flight” offer from ten years ago. This conversation took place on a Thursday. To my surprise, he clearly remembered and casually mentioned there might be an upcoming opportunity to join a flight.
The Private Flight
The very next day, Friday, he called to ask if I would like to join a flight to Arrecife, Lanzarote, on Saturday. There was just one catch: no luggage was allowed. I already had airline tickets to fly to Tenerife with my wife the following Tuesday, so I had to explain the sudden change in plans at home. The previously purchased tickets were discarded.
Without luggage, we boarded a medical flight the next day at 8:00 a.m. on the OO-SKP, a Cessna 550 Citation II. The mission was to pick up a sick Irishman in Lanzarote and transport him to Shannon, with a stopover in Vigo, Spain. My wife and I, along with a nurse, were the only passengers on board. At cruising altitude, flight level 430 (over 13,000 meters), we watched Boeings and Airbuses fly beneath us.
Five hours later, we touched down on Canary soil. We enjoyed a day on the stunning volcanic island of Lanzarote, acclimated a bit, and the following day took a domestic flight to Los Rodeos. Tenerife, here we come!
Traveling to Tenerife by private jet—an extraordinary adventure with some detours along the way. Not only was the journey fascinating, but our lives are now richer for the experience.
Guy Devos © Photography
Traveling to Tenerife by Private Jet ©
More TRIVIA can be read [HERE].
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