Paula Kent Meehan’s  P.K. Air Gulfstream IV can seat up to 15 passengers, and is well-equipped for business meetings. The jet has state-of-the-art communications systems, allowing for in-flight internet access.

For comfort, the cabin has audio and video systems that include personal screens. The plane has a dining table and all the typical luxuries and amenities found in private jets.

For more information, click here.

According to MTV, Lil Wayne delayed sentencing ‘to get some serious dental work done’, which equated to eight root canals in one day.

During the flight from Miami to New York (with a stop in Atlanta), DJ Scoob Doo has been documenting Wayne’s last days.

No word yet into Private Jet Daily on the company which provided Lil Wayne his ride.

The past 18 months have dealt private aviation major fiscal blows and severe public scrutiny. But as the economy slowly begins to lick its wounds, the air charter industry is recovering faster than its counterparts, a result of the new surplus of jets in the market and the downsizing of ownership programs to more cost effective models.

GAMA (General Aviation Manufacturer’s Association) announced that business jet manufacturing was down 38% this year and Honeywell stated business jet sales across the industry fell 50% last year, with no signs of improvement. This coupled with the UBS Business Jet update reporting a 7% increase in business jet traffic in the fourth quarter and forecasting an 8-10 percent increase in business jet flight activity, points to a recovering private air charter industry. The credit crunch shed light on the irreparable flaws of the fractional business jet model, evidenced by Honeywell’s report of a 66% decrease in jet sales to fractional operators with demand unexpected to return until 2012. Consequently, the fierce erosion of the fractional model has carved out a larger market space for private air charter.

Forecasts anticipating positive growth in 2010 for Air Partner (AIP, the only publicly traded air charter brokerage), and other charter companies, reflect this emerging trend. Philip Mathews, President of Air Partner Inc. North America comments; “The reality is that as the economy begins to turn around, jet orders will remain down, but demand for private aviation is going up. The charter industry is in a prime position to take advantage of the surplus of jets in the market and meet customer demand.”

A logical consequence of the economic downturn has been the consolidation of the industry as fiscally undisciplined companies fold. This enables a select few to capitalize on green shoots in private charter. Air Partner is one of these companies, and is now seeing the benefit of limited competition and growing demand. Their strong balance sheet and robust credit rating (Air Partner performed better than 99% of other UK companies in their recent D&B risk profile) make them an industry leader capable of meeting the increasing demand for air charter.

The market saturation of jets has become an economic boon to the consumer who can now access any aircraft charter at highly competitive rates. While corporate budgets and reputations can no longer afford private ownership, air charter continues to be a financial option for those who see the value in the business efficiency of private jet travel.

About Air Partner
Air Partner is a world-class provider of aviation services to industry, commerce, governments and individuals worldwide. The company has earned global recognition as a leading aircraft charter broker and organises ad hoc charters of aircraft of every size for any reason. Its three main divisions, supported by a host of support teams, comprise Air Partner Commercial Jets, Air Partner Private Jets and Air Partner Freight. The Commercial Jets division charters large airliners with 20 to 500 seats for groups of every size. Private Jets offers the full range of private jet products and services including the company’s unique pre-paid JetCard scheme, on-demand charter and management of Europe’s largest fleet of modern Learjets. With its headquarters in the UK, Air Partner operates 24/7 year-round with over 20 offices spanning Europe, Asia, the Middle East and North America. The Group was formed nearly 50 years ago, is fully listed on the London Stock Exchange, is debt free and had £16.1m net cash at the end of the financial year to 31 July, 2009. Air Partner’s expertise at providing unsurpassed private flying experiences at the best price is summed up by one fact: it is the only company in the aviation industry to hold a Royal Warrant, a globally recognised mark of excellence. The honour, as Supplier of Aircraft Charter to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, was granted in 2004.

PRIVATE SHOPPES caters to its elusive audience of private flyers by offering top-choice products alongside revealing editorial features on select vineyards, resorts, golf courses and other jet-setter interests in its vanguard catalog and website. Both the catalog and website are uniquely designed to match the discerning tastes of the private flyer with fine products, and to allow readers to shop while on the go.

Jet charter operators, in-flight caterers and private air terminals nationwide have teamed up with PRIVATE SHOPPES to distribute the catalog throughout their facilities and onto the private aircraft they operate or serve. Over 1,000 general aviation businesses across the nation are currently receiving the PRIVATE SHOPPES, and several have augmented their shipments to meet demand.

“PRIVATE SHOPPES makes Sharper Image look like a Sears Catalog,” says Gillian Christie, CEO of Christie Communications. “Finally, a gift guide that has the best gift ideas for affluent shoppers, and the best part is that PRIVATE SHOPPES is found in-flight and is captive to your passenger audience. This is a direct marketing idea long overdue for the luxury market – I have recommended the catalog to all my luxury clients.”

The general aviation industry anticipates renewed interest across 2010 as the business jet market continues to recover, and as business aviation flight activity continues to increase over last year. While both business aviation and luxury consumer spending start to make their comebacks, PRIVATE SHOPPES executives are working to serve the rebounding market of private flyers.

Prior to launching the catalog, PRIVATE SHOPPES founders Deedee Morrison and David Bannister said they “listened to thousands of luxury product marketers and advertisers who were experiencing the diminished effects of traditional print marketing and advertising campaigns. In response, we designed a publication and an online community to exclusively showcase the best features of select vendors’ products to the largest gift-giving market in the nation – those who fly in private aircraft.”

PRIVATE SHOPPES is the only in-flight shopping catalog and website storefront targeted towards corporate and general aviation flyers.