Billionaire Martin Ebner talks about his Swiss mega-deal

Martin Ebner (72 years old) – "the man with the fly", as it was called in the 90s, seems to be in a good mood. The formerly feared shareholder and opponent of the big Swiss banks, have even currently had a good laugh, reports "Switzerland on weekends".

At the Farnborough Airshow in Farnborough, the investor signed a billion-dollar deal with Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer for his Helvetic Airways: he buys 12 new Embraer aircraft for around 600 million francs! – including the option for 12 others. This would correspond to a doubling of the current fleet.

Asked by the newspaper where this sudden megalomania comes from, Ebner says, "I would not talk about megalomania. Of course, we first ordered twelve planes, as much as we have today. "

The new Ebener paid aircraft out of its own pocket, without any debt financing:" That's the idea. I want to finance the operation for now with own funds, through a subsidiary of my investment company Patinex. "

" Have beautiful windows in our house "

Ebner wants to put into service the first new quieter machines in September 2019. With the expansion of the fleet, the investor wants to make his More independent airline of the Swiss parent company Lufhansa The quieter aircraft are an advantage in the negotiations

Ebner does not want to comment on the conflict over aircraft noise in Zurich, even though he lives in one place where planes fly over, from the east and west, albeit relatively high, as he says in the interview. "We have beautiful windows in our house, which we have built there at seven, do not hear anything. Personally, I like to look at planes. In the end, the night of sleep is for us a condition to which we obey.

Flight for 40 000 francs

With his airline, Ebner also wants to position itself as a premium supplier of special flights: "We perform up to 100 special flights a year through, for companies, sports clubs or birthday trips of large families. In the interview, he gives an example: A flight for a wedding party of 90 members, there are 40 000 francs.

The current stock market climate in the face of the imminent trade wars has evaluated the optimistic entrepreneur Ebner: "Until now, much more has been written than what has actually happened." US President Donald Trump (72) has shaken stock markets in recent weeks with its protective tariffs against China and threats against German automakers.

"Trump is right, of course!"

Ebner: "If Trump says hey Angela, we have 2.5 percent import rights for German cars, you have 10 percent for Americans, so I understand it." he had not flipped over, the discussion would never have occurred. "

For Ebner, it is clear:" Of course, Trump is right! At least in this case, but even if it's not the case. he questions US contributions to NATO. "Over the years, the situation has proven that Americans pay almost everything. "So it's his right to say, wait a minute! The United States has the ability to defend itself militarily, they do not necessarily need NATO," Ebner told the newspaper .

But: "It is certainly false that he has completely downplayed the benefits of international trade and said that the United States was constantly being exploited.Of course, this is not true.The Americans have benefited enormously from China's cheap imports.It has disappeared, "says Ebner

" Always steal the economy "

In the" Forbes "list of the world's richest people, Ebner ranks seventh with a fortune of $ 4.1 billion. When asked what luxury he indulges in, he says, "I do not know, I do not have a car anymore, I use public transportation, and my wife drove a Range Rover Evoque for years. "

He still flies on European flights. He's just doing business on long-haul flights, "but it rarely happens." Ebner: "I do not drink expensive wine either, we only indulged in a beautiful house that we value every day."

Posted on 21.07.2018 | Updated 6 minutes ago