News

Stratos Jet establishes requirements for approved vendor program

[CharterX] — Stratos Jet Charters, Inc., a worldwide air charter agency, recently launched a new approved vendors program to endorse air carriers in the industry that adhere to a strict code of ethics and safety standards. This new program will provide air charter consumers with information regarding approved vendors’ aircraft operations, maintenance history and insurance coverage.

The primary mission of Stratos Jets’ approved vendors program is to protect private jet charter clients against disreputable air carriers that fail to meet stringent safety and maintenance standards. The company can provide this quality assurance by investigating air carriers in advance of every arranged charter flight and ensuring their compliance with FAR Part 135 and Department of Transportation regulations.

Stratos Jets also imposes several of its own standards on approved vendors to help ensure client safety for every charter flight. These standards are based on some of the most rigorous standards in the industry. The organization utilizes third-party safety audits to verify that operators comply with these standards.

In order for an air carrier to be considered as a Stratos Jets approved vendor, it must first demonstrate its commitment to air charter safety by maintaining at least $25 million of insurance on turboprop aircraft and $50 million on all other private aircraft. These high levels of insurance can protect jet charter passengers and their families in the event of an emergency. It is believed by the air charter agency that higher levels of insurance also show the vendor’s commitment to properly maintaining the aircraft.

In addition to insurance requirements, Stratos Jets also imposes certain flight crew requirements on its approved vendors. For example, the pilot-in-command of every jet charter aircraft must have a minimum of 3,000 total hours as well as hold a prestigious Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) rating. Similarly, the second-in-command must have 1,000 hours and hold at least a commercial, multi-engine license with an instrument rating.

According to Joel Thomas, president of Stratos Jets, these approved vendor requirements are stringent because they are set forth to provide air charter buyers with an unparalleled air charter experience and high level of air charter safety.

“The restrictive covenants of our program encourages air carriers to place an emphasis on air charter safety” Thomas said. “We’re not willing to take a chance on chartering through a disreputable carrier and strive to protect our clients by only partnering with the best service providers in the industry.”