Charter Alerts

Regal Wings Press Release 12/3/15 SOURCE Regal Wings Since its inception over ten years ago, Regal Wings has earned a well-deserved reputation as an award winning luxury travel firm which specializes in first and business class ticketing, one satisfied client at a time. With our over the top customer service and the ability to access unpublished fares at the lowest possible prices, we have caught attention from A-list companies and high profile celebrities alike, as well as accolades from Inc. Magazine, Frommers, and Crain's New York Business. In our never ending quest to provide the highest possible level of service, we have launched an elite Private Jet Charter division which takes our legendary personal attention and unbeatable fares to new heights. As private aviation specialists we have secured relationships with major private jet operators in the United States, and our strong buying power gives us access to the quality fares that are not available anywhere else. Regal Wings is proud to announce that we have joined forces for this launch with Steven Kramer who is the founder and CEO of Oceans Capital. Steven brings his boundless expertise of the private jet industry to our new business jets division, and under his watch we will bring an unparalleled experience. Our talented team will serve each client to ensure that every aspect of their journey whether it is domestic or international will meet the unsurpassed Regal standards, and that every jet carries the highest of safety ratings. "We invite you to fly with our new private aviation team to have us take you to the loftiest of heights," said Regal Wings CEO Eli Ostreicher. "We are completely confident that with our world class customer service and industry leading rates, that once you embark with us you will never journey with anybody else." SOURCE Regal Wings

Francis Aviation announces the re-launch of its charter flight service with two new King Air 35i 9-passenger turboprops.   Francis also operates a King Air 200. “Francis Aviation is proud to announce the re-launch of our charter services.  We recently purchased two new King Air 350i aircraft,” said Andre.  “These are the latest state-of-the-art aircraft, and we are offering on-demand services for the most reliable option in business, individual and group travel.” A fixed-base operator (FBO) service in New Mexico with locations at both the Las Cruces International Airport and near El Paso, TX at the Santa Teresa International Jetport.  Francis Aviation is headed by Scott Andre, who was named President of the company in March of this year.  The charter flight service is located in Santa Teresa, a suburb of El Paso. The new aircraft comfortably hold nine people and can travel distances up to 1,800 miles without refueling.  Luxurious leather seats and both in-cabin and personal in-flight entertainment systems are standard, and passengers have full control of lighting and climate. Prior to departure, passengers have the option of pre-ordering from an extensive catering menu and loading up on refreshments provided by the staff at the Francis Aviation terminal in Santa Teresa. Francis Aviation hosted a grand opening event inside the airport’s hanger in Santa Teresa.  Guests toured the facilities and learned more about the aircraft and the benefits of charter services. “There is a long list of advantages to flying charter versus commercial.  Most importantly, the client is the decision-maker,” explains Andre.  “They get to decide where to go, when to go, and who they want to take with them.”

          Article in El Paso Herald-Post

Announcing charter operator Dumont Aircraft Charter and it's fleet of 4 midsize and heavy jets based in the Northeast US.  It's parent, Dumont Aviation was founded in January 2013, however its predecessor companies Elcorta and MX Jet Services have a history at the New Castle Airport in Delaware (KILG) going back to 1974. The company now serves customers worldwide from six facilities, offering a growing suite of aviation products and services.   The comany specializes in aircraft sales, aircraft charter, aircraft management, aircraft maintenance and aircraft part sales. Now available for charter Dumont Aircraft Charter operates two Challenger 601 and two Hawker 800A aircraft. Dumont is also the owner and marketing agent of seven aircraft currently on the Lyon Aviation certificate where they plan to remain.  These include four Falcon 50 super-midsize jets and three Hawker 800A midsize jets.

Click2Jet.com Platform Streamlines Operator Quoting Process, Eliminates Broker Mark-up; Gives Charter Users Direct Access to Best Priced Jet Charters

Click2Jet, a California web start-up that connects charter users directly with charter operators in the fast growing on-demand jet charter market segment, announced November 6 the rollout of service in its Los Angeles and San Francisco launch markets via this company press release. Click2Jet contracts with charter operators to offer a lower-priced, real time search and booking alternative to quote-based broker mark-up models that have historically driven the charter market. “We believe that Click2Jet represents a truly unique market offering in that we have eliminated the traditional middleman to the advantage of both charter users and charter operators,” said John Andruilli, Jr., Click2Jet Founder and Managing Partner. “We contract directly with premier charter operators, like Clay Lacy Aviation & Dreamline Aviation, to offer their aircraft at predetermined prices on the highest demand charter routes from our hub cities. Our operators upload pricing, inventory, and fleet information directly to our platform.”

Headquartered in Carpinteria, California. Click2Jet operator partners include Clay Lacy Aviation, Dreamline Aviation, Sun Air Jets, Global Exec Aviation, Paragon Airways, and MACAIR

Click2Jet.com provides immediate search results similar to traditional online travel sites, but in a departure from other web and app-based private charter companies, Click2Jet’s optimized search results represent the actual price for a specific aircraft flying a specific route from one of Click2Jet’s operator partners. Andruilli noted that many competitors generate quotes based on aggregated marketplace data as the basis for their search function. “The Click2Jet model is direct and transparent. We’re not accessing general data about the 7,000 jets parked around the world, creating quotes and then going back and forth trying to meet a members’ search request.” Lower charter prices are the result of a more efficient operator quoting process and the absence of a broker mark up, said Andruilli. “At Click2Jet, we’ve developed the platform and partnerships to create a sustainable business that will help grow the on-demand segment with a direct, streamlined booking process providing charter users with more transparency and less frustration in their efforts to book private air charter.” About Click2Jet Headquartered in Carpinteria, California. Click2Jet operator partners include Clay Lacy Aviation, Dreamline Aviation, Sun Air Jets, Global Exec Aviation, Paragon Airways, and MACAIR. Expansion to charter hubs across the U.S. will follow the west coast rollout. Operator and investor inquiries are welcome. Please visit www.click2jet.com. Press Release Nov. 6 2015, CARPINTERIA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)

By Joe Martin, Reporter- Houston Business Journal, 11/3/15 A new private jet service based out of Florida is expanding its operations to Houston with a regular flight to and from Dallas. Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based JetSmarter Inc. operates a global network of 3,200 aircraft in 170 countries. The company is focusing on the Dallas-to-Houston route because of the high volume of daily travelers between the cities, said CEO Sergey Petrossov.

JetSmarter charges an annual fee of $9,000 to be a member. From there, members get access to regularly scheduled shuttle flights from market to market, like the one from Houston to Dallas. In addition, if the regularly scheduled flights don't work, members are able to create an entirely new flight — for the up-front cost of $1,900, which includes access to four guaranteed seats. Members do have the ability to charter an entire jet for themselves, as well. The flight to Dallas departs from Houston's William P. Hobby Airport on Tuesdays at 7 a.m., with a return flight to Houston at 8:30 a.m. On Thursdays, JetSmarter flies out of Hobby at 6 p.m., with a return flight at 7:30 p.m. The service works through a smartphone app, where members can look at flight availability and create a new flight, entirely from their smartphone. For now, the JetShuttle flights from Houston only fly to Dallas, but sometime in 2016, the company expects to have more flights to and from other Texas destinations as well as outside the state, Petrossov said. "Consumers hate travel because of the airport experience. It's not fun like the golden age," Petrossov said. "What we're trying to do is bring aviation back to the elevated experience where it's fun and exciting." In July, Dallas-based Rise announced daily flights to and from Dallas, as well. Article at Houston Business Journal

By Kristin Tablang , Forbes staff

The sculptural tower now underway at 111 Murray Street might be planned to top off at 792 feet—but for the high-end building’s soon-to-be residents, the sky’s the limit. Pioneering the next generation of luxury living, the project’s developers—Fisher Brothers, Witkoff, and New Valley—have entered a first-of-its-kind partnership with Blue Star Jets, offering tenants of the up-and-coming development exclusive access to private aircraft, car services, and hotels across the globe courtesy of Blue Star’s 25 Hour Sky Card program.

Residents of the development will receive 10-20% discounts on jet memberships

The newfangled amenity will allow residents to book custom travel arrangements within as few as four hours no matter the reason or desired destination—whether it be a spontaneous holiday in the Hamptons, or business trip to Shanghai. A single call to the building’s concierge will put residents in direct contact with a personal flight director, to whom they may relay bespoke travel plans (including any personal food, beverage, and in-flight entertainment requests).

“We have made it our mission to provide the residents of 111 Murray Street with thoughtful, meaningful, and one-of-a-kind amenities, and our strategic partnership is the result of a very deep understanding of our clients’ personal and professional needs,” says Fisher Brothers partner Winston Fisher, who notes that buyers—many of whom own second and third homes all over the world—frequently depend on air travel for both business and pleasure.

Sky Card holders will benefit from lower rates at resorts and villas all over the globe

“Blue Star Jets offers a truly unique and comprehensive menu of services that cater to our very discerning buyers,” says Steve Witkoff, chairman and CEO of Witkoff. “Its worldwide access to fleets of private jets and helicopters is on-par with the level of luxury we are providing at 111 Murray Street.” Indeed, the New York-based company boasts access to over 5,000 aircraft worldwide, from a Eurocopter capable of transporting up to six passengers, to an A380 jumbo jet fit to accommodate over 50. Residents of the development will receive a 10% discount on Blue Star’s light and medium jet memberships (which normally cost $125,000 and $188,000, respectively), and 20% off super-medium and heavy jet memberships (which typically cost $300,000). Astar helicopter memberships will also be available for $30,000.

In addition, denizen Sky Card holders will benefit from lower rates at resorts and villas all over the globe, including the Fisher Island Club, One&Only Resorts, and Quasar Expeditions. Preferred pricing will also apply to auto and yacht services via Denison Yacht Sales, Gotham Dream Cars, Northrop & Johnson, and International Yachtsman (to name a few). “We are thrilled to be partnering with the Fisher family, Steve Witkoff, and Howard Lorber, whose commitment to building the best in luxury residential development is unparalleled,” says Todd Rome, founder and CEO of Blue Star Jets. “111 Murray Street will be the premier downtown address, and we are honored to be part of this exciting new project.” Nestled in Manhattan’s Tribeca, the pending residential skyscraper—which broke ground in July—is the joint masterpiece of four of the most renowned names in the architectural realm: Kohn Pedersen Fox, who drafted the 64-floor structure’s distinct flared physique; MR Architecture + Decor founder David Mann, who designed the residences’ modern interiors; Edmund Hollander, who developed the landscape plaza and resident garden; and David Rockwell, who conceptualized the building’s 20,000 square feet of luxury amenity spaces (which include a tearoom, patisserie, Turkish bath, and fitness center with a 75-foot lap pool). Since sales launched last June, over 50% of the building’s 157 condominiums—spanning one- to five-bedrooms—have already been sold, with the 10 units presently available for purchase ranging from a 791-square-foot one-bedroom home on the eighth floor asking $2.025 million, to a 3,366-square-foot four-bedroom spread on the 54th floor listed at $15.15 million. Yet to be offered are the tower’s two full-floor penthouses, which will each be priced north of $17.5 million. View article at Forbes.com

Now available for charter and based at TEB Teterboro, NJ, operator Talon Air has added a 17-passenger Guflstream V to their charter certificate.

Listed only in FlightList PRO, Talon's G-V boasts one of the largest cabins in its class allowing up to seventeen passengers to work productively and up to seven passengers to stretch out and sleep comfortably.  Talon's Gulfstream V is equipped with high speed Go-Go Internet connectivity, Apple airPlay with two oversize LCD monitors, a full serivce galley with oven and microwave, enclosed lavatory, divan and conference table. Talon Air boasts a charter fleet of 18 aircraft, all based in the New York and Boston metro areas.  With over a decade of operational experience and one of the largest charter fleets on the east coast, Talon touts the top auditor safety ratings; ARGUS Platinum, Wyvern Wingman and IS-BAO Certified. With the addition of Talon's G-V based Teterboro, there are now 9 Gulfstream V or 550's from 8 different operators available for charter in the greater New York City area.    

Hawthorne Global Aviation Services today announced that ExcelAire, its private jet charter and management company, has hired a significant air charter veteran as Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Joining ExcelAire with more than 15 years of diverse corporate aviation experience and more than 15 years of diverse corporate aviation experience in both Part 91 and Part 135 operations, as well as a proven track record of successful business development, is Mr. Keith Ruggirello.  Prior to ExcelAire, Ruggirello served as Vice President of Management Sales at Priester Aviation (Teterboro, NJ) and as Vice President at Key Air (Oxford, Conn). He was also Business Development Manager for Universal Weather and Aviation (Houston). "Keith's dedication to his clients, passion for aviation and his strong track record of success make him a great addition to the ExcelAire team," said Greg Brinkman, president of ExcelAire. "We are growing quickly and Keith's appointment will help us continue to build on this momentum and growth in our private jet charter and aircraft management business." In addition to his extensive sales experience offering aircraft management and global charter services, Mr. Ruggirello served as a Dispatcher for Part 135 operations and had held a Commercial Pilot's rating since 1992. His commitment to the aviation industry had led him to actively participate in various industry groups including serving as the former President of Aviation Professionals Sharing Information (APSI). He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Aeronautical Science from the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. A Hawthorne Global Aviation Services company, ExcelAire is one of the nation's leading private jet charter firms, specializing in worldwide jet charters, aircraft management, maintenance and sales. The company maintains office and hangar space at Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP), with 9 jet aircraft based throughout the Northeast and Midwest available for worldwide charter.

AviationWeek Network, 10/26/15 David Rimmer President, JFI Jets Farmingdale, New York; Long Beach, California; and West Palm Beach, Florida New York native Rimmer developed two passions by his mid-teen years: broadcasting and aviation. While still in high school, he pursued the former and, after college, rose through the executive ranks in the commercial radio business until ultimately owning his own station in Jacksonville, Florida. Then in his early 40s, he decided to satisfy his second yearning, joining this magazine as a news and feature writer and immersing himself in the world of aviation. Following a successful stint as a wordsmith, he combined his professional experiences to enter the aircraft management and charter industry, rising to the presidency of ExcelAire, a Long Island operator later acquired by Hawthorne Global Aviation. Notably, and sadly, in 2006, he was a passenger on a delivery flight of an ExcelAire Legacy that collided with a Gol 737 over the Amazon, a tragedy drawing international attention. This past January assumed his current position at JFI Jets. He is a private pilot.   JFI has grabbed attention for flights into Cuba. An important market? Rimmer: There are few occasions in this business to pioneer a new market. I see Cuba as a huge opportunity and offering flights there was among my first initiatives in this position. I believe there’s pent-up demand and interest among Americans about Cuba, and thanks to the Pope’s well-publicized visit there, the curiosity level is even greater now. Damon Danneker, our director of operations, obtained all the necessary approvals from the various federal departments — Transportation, Treasury and State — and figured out how to get trips authorized. As of October, we had flown three trips, had three more booked and others in the pipeline. Currently, licenses to travel there are restricted to certain mission categories such as media, cultural exchanges and such, but that will change in time. How else can you differentiate from the big operators? Rimmer: We just agreed to acquire ACP Jets, a well-respected Palm Beach operation, which increases our fleet to 17 jets, ranging from Hawker 800XPs to a G450. That raises us to the second-tier level of operators but still well below the 100-plus fleets of EJM and Landmark, soon to be Signature. While some customers think bigger is better, and there are some advantages that come with large size, a boutique operation like ours can offer a higher level of passenger attention than can a goliath. And while the big operators can realize economies of scale, they’re not shy about charging a lot for their service. On the FBO side, if the big chains start showing favoritism, we get to vote with our feet, or wings, and go elsewhere. Competition keeps everyone honest. Charter brokers: a bane or a blessing? Rimmer: We do a lot of work with brokers. They’re essentially sales organizations and I think they do a better job of generating business than most operators can do on their own. Some brokers are perceived as commoditizing our business, making all aircraft and operations seemingly equal, but knowledgeable customers understand the difference. After all, you wouldn’t select a surgeon just based on price. Operators who don’t want to work with brokers would be well advised to rethink that strategy if they hope to continue in business. Looking back nearly a decade, what lessons did the tragedy in Brazil provide? Rimmer: I support the NTSB’s conclusions that the primary cause of the accident was an air traffic control failure and that ATC could have prevented it. That said, when planning an international trip, especially to a place with known ATC issues, I strongly suggest having a native speaker aboard. Yes, English is the language of aviation, but a native speaker can help alleviate any inadequacies a controller may have in communicating. As for communicating, is it harder to sell a charter package or write a feature for BCA? Rimmer: Without question, writing a feature. Just ask Jessica [Salerno, BCA’s executive editor] about how I did meeting deadlines. David Rimmer | Business & Commercial Aviation On AviationWeek Network, 10/26/15