Tag Archives: Air Charter News

Charter Operators Joining Forces

Charter operators FUGA, Inc. of Phoenix, AZ, and SP Aviation of the San Francisco Bay Area are joining forces under the FUGA brand. Moved over to FUGA’s air carrier certificate (# ZC6A400N) already, is SP Aviation’s Falcon 2000EX and two Learjet 55’s, available for charter out of KOAK Oakland, CA.

According to SP Aviation President and CEO Darrin Perdue, “We could not be more excited about this opportunity. The team at FUGA are highly motivated professionals and we look forward to joining forces with them to continue growing the company and expanding our operations.”

Robert Salvo, CEO of FUGA echoed these sentiments, adding: “This is a classic example of the whole being bigger than the parts. Separately, our two companies have been successful for many years. Together, we truly believe the sky is the limit.”

This brings to 8 the total number of aircraft operated by FUGA, Inc. for charter based in California and Arizona, ranging from a Citation II light jet to the heavy jets Gulfstream IV-SP and Embraer Legacy.

The transitioning of SP Aviation’s fleet onto FUGA, Inc.’s certificate is expected to be completed by May. The entire FUGA fleet is available in FlightList PRO.

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Corporate Flight Management Lands $61M DoD Contract

Charter Operator Corporate Flight Management (CFM) based in Tennessee has been awarded a U.S. Department of Defense contract worth $61.2 Million. The company is receiving an “indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, fixed-price contract for Domestic Charter Airlift Services.”

According to the DoD, the “type of appropriation is fiscal year 2015 Transportation Working Capital Funds to be obligated on individual task order.” The contract transportation is expected to be completed by September 30.

Corporate Flight Management operates a fleet of 21 aircraft, from turboprops through super midsize jets, including 10 BAE Jetstream turboprops seating between 8 and 30 passengers. CFM’s entire fleet and operator details are available in FlightList PRO.

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Landmark Acquires TWC Aviation

Landmark Aviation’s latest acquisition is TWC Aviation, announced Friday. Van Nuys, CA-based TWC manages a fleet of more than 50 aircraft, including 32 available for charter which are based on the west coast and in Utah, Texas and New York.

The two companies will continue operating under their respective names as they begin the integration process. “TWC Aviation has built an impressive reputation within the aviation industry,” Landmark Aviation President & CEO Dan Bucaro stated. “We look forward to merging these two great organizations into one.”

Through a series of acquisitions in the past two years Landmark Aviation has been on a run, growing its charter and management holdings significantly to now over 120 aircraft. Only Executive Jet Management is larger, at approximately 200 aircraft, and 111 available for charter.

The Landmark Aviation and TWC Aviation entire charter fleets are available in FlightList PRO.

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Upgraded – Request Multiple Quotes From Your Search Results

Feature Upgraded:
From your search results, check-mark all the aircraft you wish and click Create Operator Request to send each operator a private message for a quote or question. Even see a sample of what your request looks like. Operators can simply reply back to you. You also receive a summary of your request showing each aircraft and operator contact you sent to, so you can easily track or follow up.

FlightList PRO Air Charter Search Results

FlightList PRO Air Charter Listing Search Results

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Julie Black of Charter Brokerage Chapman Freeborn Appointed to BACA Council

Julie Black of Chapman Freeborn has been elected to join the council of the Baltic Air Charter Association (BACA). The appointment took place following a recent meeting of the BACA council at the Baltic Exchange in London. Julie, who is UK head of VIP charter at Chapman Freeborn, has been in the aviation industry for more than 20 years and brings a wealth of aviation experience and vitality to the association.

Julie Black, Chapman Freeborn Air Charter Broker

Julie Black of Chapman Freeborn, Air Charter Broker

Julie’s aviation career began as a graduate in the marketing department of London City Airport, and was followed by roles at Regional Airports Limited at London Biggin Hill Airport. In 2003 Julie was invited to join Chapman Freeborn and quickly developed into an excellent charter broker, specializing in music and entertainment. In 2011 Julie was asked to take responsibility for the development and management of the Chapman Freeborn UK VIP team.

About her new role on the BACA council Julie commented, “I’m really excited to join the BACA council. The unique air charter industry has never been so vibrant and challenges abound for all sectors. I consider it a key message to help promote the value of the brokering industry to customers and suppliers alike and to widen the profile of the air charter industry.”

BACA is a worldwide association of air charter professionals. As the world’s largest Air Charter Association, BACA was founded nearly seventy years ago for its members of Air Charter Brokers and operators from around Europe and the rest of the world. BACA’s principal objective is to promote integrity and ethical business practice in the aviation industry.

Full press release

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Operator Richmor Aviation Added to ACSF Industry Audit Standard Registry

Richmor Aviation of New York is the newest addition to the growing Industry Audit Standard (IAS) Registry, by the Air Charter Safety Foundation.
“All of us at Richmor Aviation have worked hard to achieve the high level of performance required by the ACSF standards,” said Peter Schafer, Richmor’s Director of Operations. “Being added to the ACSF Registry places us in an elite group of companies and demonstrates to our clients that we take their safety seriously.”

Air Charter Safety Foundation The IAS is the first and only extensive audit program specifically created for on-demand operators by a committee of Part 135 and 91K industry leaders. It is conducted every 24 months and is in-depth in its evaluation of regulatory compliance and the operator’s SMS program against both FAA and international standards.

Operating for more than 46 years, Richmor Aviation charters 9 aircraft in the New York state region, from the Beechcraft King Air 200 to the Gulfstream IV-SP. The Richmor fleet is available in FlightList PRO.

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Operator Silver Air Equips Entire Charter Fleet With Wi-Fi Internet

California jet charter operator Silver Air installs Wi-Fi broadband Internet in its heavy, super mid and midsize jets. The Gogo® Biz mobile broadband Internet enabled aircraft currently include Gulfstream GV, Gulfstream G450, Gulfstream GIV, Citation X, Lear 60, Beachjet 400 and Citation CJ2 models.

Additional Silver Air managed aircraft that are in the process of receiving Wi-Fi capabilities include Citation V, Citation II, Citation CJ2, Citation I, and Phenom 100 models.

“The private aviation industry is changing, and our clients have come to expect mobile Internet on board the aircraft to keep them connected and productive while in the air,” said Jason Middleton, Silver Air’s CEO.

Silver Air operates 12 jets for charter based in Southern California including at KSBA Santa Barbara, KVNY Van Nuys and others. The entire fleet is available in FlightList PRO.

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Operator Sun Air Jets Announces Two Promotions

Sun Air Jets, of KCMA Camarillo, CA just Northeast of Los Angeles, announced the promotion of Leigh Ann Spooner and Geoff Savage to senior director positions in its charter department. Leigh Ann moves to Senior Director of Charter Sales and Geoff is now Senior Director of Flight Control.

Said Brian Counsil, Sun Air’s president and C.O.O., “Leigh Ann and Geoff are two of the many individuals within Sun Air that have contributed to its success and growth over the last 15 years. Rewarding them with these promotions is a tribute to their hard work and achievements.”

Sun Air Jets operates 9 midsize to long range jets for charter, from Hawkers to Gulfstream V and Global 5000. The operator touts all four top safety ratings available. Sun Air Jets’ full fleet is available in FlightList PRO. Sun Air Jets’ full release here

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Aura Jets Introduces Sunrise to Sunset Private Jet Escape

Private Jet Charter Broker Aura Jets has partnered with two of Ocean Properties resorts to offer jet setters a unique experience of sunrise on Cadillac Mountain in Maine followed by sunset in Key West, Florida – all in one day.

Travelers will spend the first night at the boutique West Street Hotel on the water front in downtown Bar Harbor, minutes from Acadia National Park. Guests will rise early for a short ride to the top of Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the North Atlantic seaboard, then return to town for a custom breakfast. Then 3-1/2 hours later after a private flight down the coast, travelers arrive in Key West. A boat ride to Sunset Key, a secluded 27 acre island oasis in Key West, transports everyone to ‘island time’ and a later famous Key West sunset.

The Sunrise to Sunset Private Jet Escape is completely customizable with Aura Jets and travelers can choose their length of stay in each destination. The private jet escape is available June 1 – October 18, 2015. Rates start at $36,000 for a same day transfer and includes:

One night accommodation at West Street Hotel, Bar Harbor
One night accommodation at Sunset Key Cottages, a Luxury Collection Resort, Key West
Private Aura Jets charter flight from Bar Harbor, Maine to Key West, Florida (jet can seat up to six passengers)
All transfers to and from private airports
Transfer to and from Acadia National Park
Private ferry transfer to Sunset Key

Full news article, details & links here.

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Alert – TFR’s In Place For Los Angeles and Phoenix Areas This Week

Temporary Flight Restrictions have been announced for the Los Angeles basin this Thursday and Friday, March 12-13. Consult your normal TFR information source for details.
FDC NOTAM 5/2361
FDC NOTAM 5/2358
FDC NOTAM 5/2353

Temporary Flight Restrictions have been announced for the Phoenix area this Friday, March 13. Consult your normal TFR information source for details.
FDC NOTAM 5/2555

FAA Graphic TFR web page

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Air Charter Service Secures Over $25M in Cargo Charters During US Port Strike

Air Charter Service’s (ACS) North American and Asian offices have secured more than $25M in cargo aircraft charters in three weeks due to the port strike on the US West Coast. The charter firm said it has arranged more than 40 large charter flights so far, mainly with Boeing 747 Freighters.

ACS US operation president Richard Thompson said, “The port strikes here have affected 29 ports on the West Coast, which account for around 70% of all exports and imports to and from Asia, and many of these goods aren’t able to wait or production lines will be forced to shutdown, costing tens of millions of dollars.”

It is estimated that almost 5,000 tons of automotive parts, perishables and other urgent cargoes have been flown on wide body charter aircraft.

Full article in ship-technology.com

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CSI Aviation Services Becomes Part 135 Air Carrier, Adds King Air 200

Air charter broker and now operator CSI Aviation of Albuquerque, NM has won approval to operate its own aircraft, a Beechcraft King Air B200 for charter. The company has finished the process under the FAA of bringing the former Bear Aviation & Helicopter LLC and it’s Beechcraft King Air B200 under its own management, operation and name, CSI Air.

CSI Air now operates the 2001 8-passenger King Air B200, N505AW, based at KABQ Albuquerque, NM. It’s FAA air operator certificate #GRTA447E approves passenger and air ambulance operation in the US, Canada, Mexico and South America. CSI Air is available in FlightList Pro.

King Air Charter CSI Aviation

CSI Air’s King Air B200 N505AW based ABQ Albuquerque, NM.

Article in The Albuquerque Journal – CSI Aviation Expands its services

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Jennifer Cook to Lead Miami Air International Sales Team

Miami Air International, the US charter operator of seven Boeing 737 aircraft, announces the promotion of Jennifer Cook to Director of Sales. Jennifer has been an Account Executive since 2005. Cook reunited with Miami Air International in 2005 as an Account Executive, a position that she also held in the 1990s.

“I am passionate about this business and the awesome customers I get to work with every day, and over the years I have developed my own style and processes that have really made it easier for those customers to buy the premier charter experience from us,” Cook explained.

Miami Air International began operating two Boeing 727 aircraft in 1990 around the Caribbean for vacations. Today the air carrier operates five Boeing 737-800’s configured for 172 passengers, and two Boeing 737-400’s VIP-configured 68 passengers. The fleet is based along the eastern seaboard and in Texas.

Miami Air International’s entire fleet is available in Flightlist Pro.

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Charter Operator Advanced Air Added to ACSF Industry Audit Standard Registry

The Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) announces that Advanced Air, LLC, headquartered in Hawthorne, CA has been added to the ACSF Industry Audit Standard (IAS) Registry.

“We are pleased to add Advanced Air to the IAS Registry,” said ACSF president Bryan Burns. “We also congratulate them as the first operator to successfully complete a combined audit of the IAS, ARGUS Platinum and IS-BAO.”

Advanced Air LLC operates 5 King Air and Pilatus turboprops for charter based in Southern California.

More info on Air Charter Safety Foundation and the Industry Audit Standard Registry can be found here. http://www.acsf.aero/registry/

Advanced Air’s fleet is available in FlightList Pro.

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Delta Private Jets Fleet Nearly Doubled

Delta Private Jets’ fleet has almost doubled in the past year, making it the 3rd largest Part 135 operator in the U.S. DPJ now manages an aircraft fleet of 64, including the most recent additions of two Citation CJ2s, a Citation CJ3, Learjet 75, Citation X and a Hawker 4000. The company’s charter availability features based and floating fleet options which enable round trip and point-to-point one way charter pricing for domestic and international flights.

“2014 was a record year for the company in terms of revenue and fleet growth,” said John Daly, Chief Operating Officer. “Since introducing Ownership Assist in mid-2014, twelve aircraft have joined DPJ’s fleet through the program, which translates into more aircraft availability for our Jet Card and charter customers and fuels growth. Jet Card sales were up 17% in 2014, and already in January 2015 Jet Card sales were up 20% and Charter sales were up 68% over the previous year.”

Delta Private Jets is a wholly owned subsidiary of Delta Air Lines, and provides aircraft charter, aircraft management and its Delta Private Jets Card.

Delta Private Jets floating fleet and based aircraft are listed in FlightList Pro.
Access FlightList Pro free trial, no credit card required.

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Key Air Hires Charter Sales Pro Charlene Brett

Key Air Jet Charter Operator

Key Air Jet Charter Operator

Announced this week is the hire of long term air charter professional Charlene Brett by charter operator Key Air in Oxford, CT. With more than 22 years of Part 135 experience, Charlene has worked with several air charter companies over her career, most recently with FirstFlight as Director of Corporate Sales & Marketing for their 17-aircraft charter fleet. Charlene Brett will be focusing on charter sales of Key Air’s growing fleet of 11 jets. Last month Key Air added Gulfstream IV-SP, N1D, and Falcon 2000EX Easy, N900FS, to its charter fleet based in Connecticut.

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Private Jet Charter Spending Up 15% in 2014

Average Air Charter Booking Increases as Demand Moves Into Larger Jets

(Marketwired – Feb 5, 2015) – 2014 trends in private flight activity, aircraft selection and charter booking are reported by air charter industry mainstay New Flight Charters.

Average charter spending in 2014 increased 15.0% over 2013, from an overall average $14,841 per charter to $17,068. The average includes all on-demand charter activity and aircraft types, from piston aircraft through heavy and long-range private jets.

The increase is due in large part to a movement in charter demand in 2014 from smaller aircraft to larger — namely into midsize and heavy jets. Midsize jet activity increased 18.8% year over year, and heavy jet activity nearly doubled for New Flight Charters. Meanwhile light jet and turboprop charters declined by 9.8% and 26.1% respectively.

As a percent of total, midsize jet charters climbed from 15.6% to 20.5% year over year, and heavy jets jumped from 4.3% to 8.2% of all charters. Light jets however descended from 40.8% to 38.8% in 2014, and turboprops slowed from 23.4% to 18.6% of all charters for the year.

New Flight Charters’ results mirror TraqPak data released by aviation services company Argus, which reported Part-135 flight activity gains over 2013, including an increase in large-cabin and midsize jet flying, while turboprop flying finished the year down.

AIRCRAFT POPULARITY

The overall most popular aircraft chosen in 2014 was the light jet Citation 510/550/560 series, at 36.4% of light jets and 14.5% of all charters, followed by the Hawker 400XP light jet at 19.0% of light jets and 7.6% of all charters.

Segmenting further, the midsize jet category featured the Hawker 800A/800XP as by far the most popular at 42.1% of all midsize jet charters and 8.7% of all charters.

In heavy jets, the Bombardier Challenger series 300/601/604 was the heavy favorite, at 37% of the category.

ABOUT 2014 RESULTS DATA

Data is actual results from more than 750 U.S. domestic and international charter flights paid and flown in 2014, arranged by New Flight Charters. Data is not from online searches, inquiries or projections.

Charter fliers choose their aircraft and quote from the several best available for their flight, with no obligation or incentive to choose one or any. New Flight Charters employs aviation data company FlightList Pro to access the entire charter market without restriction. 2014 results, including the trends to larger jets and spending, is only from actual client demand and aircraft choice.

Many factors influence the decision for a particular aircraft size and model, such as trip itinerary, flight leg lengths and passenger count.

About New Flight Charters

Celebrating its 11^th anniversary in 2015 and named to the Inc. 500 fastest growing list four consecutive years, New Flight Charters arranges private domestic and international flights with top-rated operator aircraft at leading jet charter rates, along with its Best Price Guarantee and a perfect safety history. The acclaimed six-member management team features a cumulative 38 years in private jet charter, 44 years FAA-certified experience, 94 years executive management experience, 17,400 hours pilot-in-command, and includes private and commercial pilots and retired law enforcement. Client and industry reviews are available on the New Flight Charters website. The company serves a wide variety of clientele including Fortune 500 companies, government heads of state, presidential campaigns, entertainment icons, private families and entrepreneurs.

For the latest updates and information, call (800) 732-1653 or visit NewFlightCharters.com.

Source: http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/private-jet-charter-spending-up-15-2014-reported-industry-stalwart-new-flight-charters-1989137.htm

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Hangar8 and Gama Aviation Combine, Form New Company Gama Aviation Plc

Gama Aviation has proposed a £82 million ($127 million) reverse takeover of Hangar8, the UK operator. Gama Aviation operates aircraft on behalf of Wheels Up. With companies in the UK, the US, the Middle East and Asia it is one of a few truly global business jet companies.

From Corporate Jet Investor

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Stratos Jet Charters Inc. earns ARGUS Certified Charter Broker Rating

Stratos Jet Charters, a leading private jet charter services provider, is proud to announce that they have recently earned the ARGUS Certified Charter Broker Rating. “Stratos Jets is thrilled to be recognized as an ARGUS Certified Charter Broker,” company president Joel Thomas said, adding that he is especially pleased that the jet charters company was the first charter broker evaluated by ARGUS found to “meet or exceed” the rigorous standards of the ARGUS On-site Audit during its first review. Full release here

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Key Air Announces its New Vice President, Director of Operations

Key Air, a national provider of aircraft management and worldwide executive jet charter services is proud to announce the addition of aviation veteran Chris Hand to its executive management team as the new Vice President, Director of Operations. Mr. Hand replaces retiring Jim Bennett to lead the Operations Department effective December 18, 2014. Mr. Hand’s industry experience and technical knowledge will be beneficial to maintaining Key Air’s day-to-day operations and ensure a smooth transition to his new role. Full press release

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