September 2009
VLJs Are Vital, Says LEA…But Not Perfect
(September 25, 2009)‘Very Light Jets’ (VLJs) will play a key role in the future of European business aviation, but no one should believe that they will bring easy profits or easyJet prices. That’s the opinion of Patrick Margetson-Rushmore, chief executive of London Executive Aviation (http://www.flylea.com/) (‘LEA’), one of Europe’s largest business jet charter operators (http://www.flylea.com/charter-a-private-flight/air-charter.html). LEA was the first private jet operator to introduce the Cessna Citation Mustang (http://www.flylea.com/index.php?id=76) to the British Isles, in January 2008. The company is now operating six Mustangs, alongside six other classes of larger business jet, and has been the largest operator of VLJs and Mustangs in Europe for the past 20 months. Speaking at ‘VLJ – Europe 2009′ in Oxford (UK) today, Margetson-Rushmore said: "The importance of VLJs will increase over time, but not everything is sweet and rosy in the VLJ ‘air taxi’ garden. We are still at an ideas stage of an unproven market. The industry expectation several years ago was that VLJs would bring low-cost business aviation. The reality is that operating VLJs costs less than operating larger business jets but is by no means cheap. In terms of price, we are still in competition with aircraft such as the Cessna Citation CJ1 and CJ2, the Hawker Beechcraft Premier 1 and turboprops. In my view, therefore, VLJs are similar to the standard charter model, which invariably reflects upon the final price charged to the customer. "In the current economic environment, it is impractical to expect to achieve 1,000 hours a year on short-range VLJ aircraft. That doesn’t mean the VLJ revolution has failed, but the industry needs to separate hype from fact. I believe that there has been, and indeed still is, over-optimism on the expected usage of these aircraft. Over the last 20 months we have achieved an average of 360 hours per annum per aircraft and, especially with the economic downturn, we’re very happy. "For operators like ourselves, I think it will be a long haul to success for VLJ air taxi operations, which mainly depends on the marketplace and the development of the customer base. But we at LEA are committed to that long-haul effort, and we will probably expand our fleet with more Mustangs and Embraer Phenom 100s. We’ll achieve that expansion through our established ‘hybrid’ business model. Some of the aircraft we will own ourselves and charter, some of the aircraft we will manage for third parties and charter, and some of the aircraft we will simply manage for the owners." Margetson-Rushmore told delegates: "We see our Mustangs as our new entry-level jet – a stepping stone for our clients into the world of private flight, bringing down the cost and opening up the opportunities to a wider audience. The Mustang is perfect for the kind of short-haul flights with 1-3 passengers that dominate European business aviation. And pilots tell us that the Mustang is fun to fly, light and agile, with a great use of space and good overall performance."
Pitt and Jolie consider building a private jet airstrip in France
(September 24, 2009)Reports say that Hollywood celebrity Brad Pitt is planning to build an airstrip adjacent to his luxury property in France, so that he and his wife—Angelina Jolie—can avoid the paparazzi who ambush them in commercial airports. The couple, along with their six children, stay in a vacation property in Chateau Miraval estate whenever they are in France. They are often hounded by the paparazzi whenever they arrive and depart. Pitt and Jolie, who has a private jet pilot license, are currently looking over property to build a secluded airstrip around their estate. This is a place where they can land private jets without the hassles of the paparazzi. Sources claim that Pitt likes privacy, and that’s what he looks for in his estate. With Angelina’s private jet license, a private airstrip would give the couple the freedom to come and go without paparazzi run-ins.
Private Jet Leader New Flight Charters Named to Inc List of Fastest Growing Companies
(September 24, 2009)U.S.-based private jet provider New Flight Charters has been named to the prestigious Inc. 500|5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in America. New Flight Charters was the top-ranked private jet travel company, and ranked in the top one-third of all U.S. companies. The Inc. list evaluates the prior four years sales results. New Flight Charters achieved 187 percent growth in sales over the prior four years. The companies that made this prestigious list reported aggregate revenue of $214 billion and a median three-year growth rate of 125 percent. New Flight Charters also earned a place in the Top 50 Logistics & Transportation companies; ranking #39. List results offer an interesting report card on New Flight Charters: Despite the ongoing recession, revenue increased for 2008, up 26 percent over the year prior, including a fourth-quarter increase of 17 percent during the U.S. economic plunge. New Flight Charters attributes its success to a high service level and best-in-market pricing with the nation's top-rated aircraft, as well as favored relationships with premier private jet owners and operators. “We make private jet flying as easy and convenient as possible, with best-in-market pricing and no advance payments or investments,” said New Flight Charters' President, Rick Colson. “No gimmicks, pitches or switches, simply the guaranteed best pricing with the top aircraft in the country.” The company has seen customers come from all sectors of private flying, including jet card holders looking to lower their cost on a per-flight basis with more aircraft choices.
Private Jet Leader New Flight Charters Named to Inc. 500|5000 List of Fastest-Growing Companies
(September 24, 2009)U.S.-based private jet provider New Flight Charters has been named to the prestigious Inc. 500|5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in America. New Flight Charters was the top-ranked private jet travel company, and ranked in the top one-third of all U.S. companies. The Inc. list evaluates the prior four years sales results. New Flight Charters achieved 187 percent growth in sales over the prior four years. The companies that made this prestigious list reported aggregate revenue of $214 billion and a median three-year growth rate of 125 percent. New Flight Charters also earned a place in the Top 50 Logistics & Transportation companies; ranking #39. List results offer an interesting report card on New Flight Charters: Despite the ongoing recession, revenue increased for 2008, up 26 percent over the year prior, including a fourth-quarter increase of 17 percent during the U.S. economic plunge. New Flight Charters attributes its success to a high service level and best-in-market pricing with the nation's top-rated aircraft, as well as favored relationships with premier private jet owners and operators. “We make private jet flying as easy and convenient as possible, with best-in-market pricing and no advance payments or investments,” said New Flight Charters' President, Rick Colson. “No gimmicks, pitches or switches, simply the guaranteed best pricing with the top aircraft in the country.” The company has seen customers come from all sectors of private flying, including jet card holders looking to lower their cost on a per-flight basis with more aircraft choices.
Concord Private Jets acquires Jets.com
(September 24, 2009)Concord Private Jets has recently acquired Jets.com for more that $375,000. President and co-founder of the company—Damian Klinger—is excited and satisfied about the purchase. Klinger feels that the domain name was important to attract more clients on the web. The previous owners of the domain reeled in more than 48,000 unique visitors per month—justifying the site’s expensive sale price. “We felt as a company that jets.com was tremendously powerful for our industry and the product that we’re selling,” commented Klinger. “We figured that anyone who’s going to search for private jets is likely to go to jets.com.” He explained, “If we can get 30 clients a month by having jets.com as a domain name, the ROI would pay us back in a month or two.” Other than that, Klinger also feels that the domain will lead to other benefits. “Now when we tell people in general on the phone or in a meeting that we’re Jets.com, the credibility alone by saying Jets.com is worth it,” asserted Klinger. In the private aviation industry, credibility is one of the most important things. Businessmen put a premium on companies that have proven credibility. “We sell a high end product, and people are sending us a lot of money. They need to trust the people they’re dealing with,” said Klinger. Source: Domain Name Wire
A royal flush and a royal trip
(September 22, 2009)Betfair Poker and Amsair Executive Aviation have partnered to offer poker customers exclusive discount rates on private flights. Amsair Executive Aviation offers an extensive fleet of private jet charters through a global alliance programme that give the company access to over 5,000 private jets. Poker players can now use Amsair’s executive fleet to travel to numerous poker destinations across the globe by simply playing on Betfair. Players who select this option will be treated with high-class service, giving them the ultimate travel experience. By the time they get to where they want to go, they’ll be focused and relaxed—ready to win the big pots! Betfair customers will also be able to use Betfair Poker points to book flights on Amsair. Group members can also pool points and schedule a flight together.
InJet Takes off
(September 22, 2009)Private jet customers looking for a jet card with flexibility, top-notch service and great value that is CFO approved now have a new option. After a year of planning, InJet takes flight today. The new retail jet card service promises to be to the most innovative in the industry. The program is designed to maximize value and offer unmatched flexibility to its members. InJet offers charter services as a subsidiary of ACP Jet Charters, Inc., a West Palm Beach based air carrier that manages and operates a diverse fleet of aircraft. Keys services of InJet will include: * InJet 25: a jet card program that provides guaranteed rates for occupied flight time in blocks of 25, 50 or 100 hours * Touch 10: a unique program that allows customers to sample InJet services without a large capital outlay * InJet One: pay-as-you-go, on-demand charter "To better address the needs of today’s traveler, we conducted an extensive evaluation of the top services in the private jet industry. The results being the creation of the new InJet product," InJet Chief Executive Officer Rubin Pikus said. "Private jet service is critical to the time sensitive traveler. We have designed a program that optimizes value without sacrificing flexibility, service or aircraft selection." InJet – along with its management company ACP Jet Charters – can fly members domestically or internationally with as little as an eight-hour notice. Plus, there`s guaranteed availability and fix occupied leg rates with no blackout dates. Members can select among small, midsize or heavy jets, which accommodate between seven and 14 passengers. InJet 25 members also qualify for a flight discount, the Round-Trip Efficiency Bonus, which allows for preferred rates to members that wish to keep the aircraft with them in cases where immediate accessibility is vital or the pricing is more beneficial than the occupied leg scenario. "The InJet 25 card program is the only CFO-approved, cost effective alternative to whole aircraft ownership, fractional aircraft ownership and expensive, restrictive, fractional jet card programs," InJet Chief Operating Officer Suran Wijayawardana said. "Most importantly the affordability aspect of InJet is the result of eliminating the overhead that is passed to members in programs that are beholden, serviced and underwritten by fractional programs." About InJet (http://www.injet.com/): InJet, LLC, headquartered in West Palm Beach, Fla., is a provider of private jet services for clients across the country and is the exclusive agent for its sister company ACP Jet Charters, Inc., a FAR Part 135 air carrier that manages and operates a diverse fleet of aircraft. InJet offers a comprehensive range of jet solutions designed to meet the flexible needs of customers – including InJet 25, a jet card program offering the tangibility of whole- or fractional-aircraft ownership coupled with the cost effectiveness of on-demand charter available in blocks of 25, 50 or 100 hours. The InJet Touch 10 jet card gives clients entry-level jet membership opportunities without large capital outlay, and InJet One is a no-strings-attached, pay-as-you-go option for on-demand jet charter. For more information, call (800) 551-5598 or visit www.injet.com
New Financing Solution for Fractional Jet Shares
(September 22, 2009)As a constant source of innovative and enduring value for over 10 years, Flight Options has once again demonstrated leadership in the business aviation industry by unveiling an unprecedented lease program. Under one simple program, monthly lease payments are offered on each of Flight Options’ pre-owned aircraft beginning at the low rate of $985 for a Hawker 400XP! Residual value concerns are eliminated and credit availability issues are solved. Financing for the lease is managed internally eliminating the need for third party interaction and assuring complete confidentiality for the consumer. “Companies in today’s environment still carry the burdens of yesterday’s workload with the added challenges of cash and cost control,” said Flight Options CEO Mike Silvestro. “Yet leaders of successful companies know that face-to-face contact is a critical ingredient to that success and the responsible use of both commercial and business aircraft is the key to that contact.” “Our newest program takes advantage of the historically low aircraft values and converts them into a one-year lease with the ability to extend up to five years,” Silvestro stated. “Owning and leasing each have their place…leasing will be an integral component of the fractional industry going forward.” Flight Options’ lease program is targeted at those businesses which are having to do more with fewer people covering the same geographical area. Buyers benefit from a short-term commitment with long-term value. Through this program, cash flow is minimized and, by not being capitalized, balance sheets remain strong. The end result locks in today’s pricing for tomorrow’s economy. As the economy begins its long road to recovery, successful companies will migrate to strategies that help to insure they outperform their competition. Flight Options is committed to its role in the economic recovery. About Flight Options Flight Options has earned a reputation as a leader and innovator within the private jet industry. Marking its 10th Anniversary in 2008, Flight Options offers the complete spectrum of programs from fractional ownership to leasing, aircraft management, and JetPASS Select 25-hour card membership. The company is an industry leader in private aviation safety and provides personalized service to over 1,400 Owners and Members. Flight Options owns and operates a fleet of more than 110 aircraft consisting of the Hawker 400XP, Hawker 800XP, Citation X, and Embraer Legacy 600 with the revolutionary new Phenom 300 arriving in late 2009. More information is available at www.flightoptions.com or by calling 877.703.2348.
ShareAJet Exchange program thrives despite recession
(September 17, 2009)While the recession is still hurting private aviation companies, some have found alternative ways to make revenue. Blue Star Jets has a consistent revenue stream thanks to its launch of the ShareAJet Exchange Program. Due to its success, many experts think that it can be the industry standard of the future. The program is simple. It is an online social network that allows private jet travellers to meet and arrange flight time and flight destination. They share the cost of a private jet trip, cutting their individual expenses in half. “A lot of our customers cannot believe this never existed before. Clients are asking for it, so why not give them what they want?” said Rick Sitomer, CEO of Blue Star Jets. He continues, “It is a service that’s here to stay. The value proposition is unbeatable with the luxury of flying privately at half the cost. It’s a win-win proposition.” Sitomer also said that most of the ShareAJet passengers are private individuals and not business travellers. If you factor in the current credit crunch, cutting back on travel expenses is understandable said Sitomer. However, the CEO is confident in the ShareAJet model and knows that it will soon be used by the corporate community. “Leisure travelers are the bulk of our patrons, so far, with flights to L.A. to New York, New York to Florida, the north-to-south crowd, and the weekend vacationers,” added Sitomer. “They love the convenience and quality time it affords them. It will gain popularity in business circles, too. In the long run, it saves lots of money.” Source: JustLuxe
Trans-Exec Private Jets First To Install Worldwide In-Flight Internet Service
(September 17, 2009)Trans-Exec Private Jets is pleased to announce it is the first private jet company to have installed advanced global in-flight high-speed, wireless Internet service to its fleet of Gulfstream jets.Though many private jet companies claim to have their fleets slated for the addition of this innovative service, Trans-Exec is the only company that actually has it available now. Trans-Exec Private Jets President David Bilson opted for and installed the newest satellite-based system that operates worldwide — over land or water. Other private jet companies have only announced plans to install inferior, less expensive, ground based internet solutions. Bilson states, "When you think about it, if you take off from Los Angeles to Paris, as soon as you get about two hours into your flight, you lose the ground-based Internet service, leaving eight hours of no connection. With a flight to Hawaii, it’s even worse! With our new advanced global Internet service, you are connected from the moment you board to the moment you land. Now your flight feels like you’re in your living room or office — without compromise." This latest technological advancement is just one of the many superior ways this exceptional private jet company leads the industry." "Responding to the evolution of how our clients live, we have found that it has become a business and personal necessity to stay connected at all times," say Bilson. "Our clients have told us they would rather have Internet access than even telephones on the planes. (Of course, we have telephones, too.) If there’s one thing I’ve learned in business, it’s to listen to your clients." The latest research backs up this statement. In a survey conducted by Wakefield Research for WiFi Alliance, 76 percent of frequent business travelers said they would choose a flight based on WiFi availability. The benefits of this advanced Internet service have been immediate to Trans-Exec clients. Since the company is known for its discretionary policies, without naming them, Bilson did reveal that one recent client was able to complete an important business transaction during his flight thanks to the new in-flight high-speed, wireless Internet service. "Our client told me there was a movie deal that started coming to fruition while he was on the airplane," relays Bilson. "The star he had been trying to sign had just been offered a role in another film and was deciding which to take. Our client was able to receive several crucial emails from the actor’s agent and the screenwriter, set up a web meeting and sealed the deal. The client said if it hadn’t have been for the Internet, the deal might have collapsed." Bilson notes, "Being the best for more than 30 years is a double-edge sword. We are constantly turning over every stone to find new ways to enhance an already amazing flight experience. We have in-flight spa services, chef-trained cabin attendants and perfectly maintained, stunning planes. The advent of the Internet is a life-changing addition to our planes. At Trans-Exec we don’t exceed expectations, we raise them." About Trans-Exec Private Jets: The world’s finest private jet service. Trans-Exec Private Jets was established in 1979 by President David Bilson. Offering refined, highly attentive service, up-to-the-minute technology and safety systems–and even a controlled client list–Trans-Exec Private Jets is dedicated to aviation excellence, exclusivity and innovation. Boasting its own fleet of eight Gulfstream jets manned by hand-selected, rigorously trained crews, Trans-Exec Private Jets is the only private jet carrier in the world to offer the Priority Program, a flexible, cost effective, customized plan that specially tailors aircraft, crew and amenities to each client for one inclusive monthly fee. Catering to a discerning clientele of high net-worth individuals, including corporate executives, celebrities, heads of state and five former United States Presidents, Trans-Exec is a proven innovator in providing private, secure and luxurious transportation around the globe. Based out of Van Nuys Airport in Southern California, this leading jet service features such personal touches as in-flight spa treatments, state-of-the-art, newly installed wireless Internet service and freshly prepared gourmet cuisine. For more information, call (818) 904-6900 or visit http://www.transexec.com.
