The Isle of Man’s Jet Centre has officially entered a new chapter, with Kelman Limited completing its acquisition on 1 June and immediately partnering with Newcastle‑based NALjets to operate the facility. The new owners have already taken delivery of a brand‑new Embraer Phenom 300E, flown directly from the manufacturer’s plant in Florida, signalling what they describe as a “step‑change” in ambition for the island’s private aviation offering.
Captain Craig McLeod, a long‑standing figure in UK and international business aviation, will lead operations on the ground. Speaking to Manx.News Charlie Morrey at the Jet Centre, he outlined the scale of the transition — and the plans to transform the site into a flagship gateway for high‑end travellers.
A Strategic Move Years in the Making
McLeod says the acquisition followed months of monitoring, as NALjets sought a permanent Isle of Man base after years of operating from rented hangars elsewhere on the airfield.
“We’ve been flying in and out of the Isle of Man for a long time,” he said. “It seemed the right move for us to come here full‑time, get a second base for NALjets, and operate from the Jet Centre.”
The deal was ultimately completed through Kelproperties, which has acquired the entire site — including ramp space and parking — and leased it to NALjets to run as a full FBO (fixed‑base operator) at Ronaldsway.
The new owners say they want the Jet Centre to become “the pride of the Isle of Man”, with a renewed focus on customer service and premium aviation standards.
A New Flagship Aircraft for the Island
Central to the relaunch is the arrival of a factory‑fresh Embraer Phenom 300E, one of the world’s most advanced light business jets.
McLeod personally collected the aircraft from Embraer’s Melbourne, Florida facility:
“It’s a beautiful Phenom 300E — state‑of‑the‑art in the light‑to‑midsize market. It was ordered two years ago, fully customised, and we brought it back just before TT.”
After export from the US and import into Europe, the aircraft completed its UK Civil Aviation Authority proving flight, allowing it to be added to NALjets’ Air Operator Certificate. It is now available for charter from the Isle of Man.
A Veteran Aviator at the Helm
McLeod is a veteran aviator with decades of experience across both fixed‑wing and rotary aviation. He has flown commercially as both a helicopter and fixed‑wing pilot, and has built a parallel career as an instructor, examiner and type‑rating specialist. His work has taken him into some of the most demanding corners of the industry, from engineering and post‑maintenance test flights to global operations spanning oil and gas, air ambulance missions, VIP transport and corporate jet work. It is a background that gives him an unusually broad understanding of aircraft, operations and client expectations — and one he now brings to the Jet Centre’s new era under Kelman and NALjets.
“I’ve flown pretty much everywhere in the world — the only place I haven’t flown to is Australia,” he said. “I enjoy the small airplanes as much as the business jets.”
His background positions NALjets to expand the island’s charter and aircraft‑management offering.
What Will Change for Jet Centre Customers?
McLeod says the Jet Centre has historically “done its function fairly well”, but the new ownership intends to lift standards across every part of the operation.
On the airside, he wants to see tighter towing procedures, smoother aircraft movements and a more efficient, safety‑driven approach to parking and handling. Behind the scenes, the operations and booking systems will be overhauled to make planning arrivals and departures easier for crews and visiting aircraft, with more responsive coordination between the Jet Centre and airport services.
But the biggest change, he says, will be front‑of‑house.
“There was a gap in the front‑of‑house. Sometimes passengers arrived and staff were busy elsewhere. We want someone there to meet them, seat them, organise baggage, get IDs ready, offer coffee, and make the whole experience smoother.”
The aim is to create a premium, seamless, concierge‑style service.
A New Era for Business Aviation on the Isle of Man
The acquisition marks the first major change at the Jet Centre in several years, following previous periods of uncertainty and shifting operators. With Kelman’s investment and NALjets’ operational expertise, the island’s private aviation sector appears set for renewed stability and growth.
The combination of a new aircraft, new management, and a customer‑focused service model positions the Jet Centre to compete with leading regional operators — and to better serve the island’s business community, visiting executives, and high‑net‑worth travellers.