Unity Jets Emphasizes The Privacy of Private Aviation

By Molly Duffy, Miami Herald, July 5, 2015:

Kevin Diemar’s cellphone rang one recent evening. It was 9:30 p.m.; Pamela Rodriguez was frantic. Her boss, a Miami philanthropist, wanted catering service on his 7:30 a.m. flight from Miami to Anguilla the next morning. “No problem,” said Diemar, CEO and president of Unity Jets. “I’ll take care of it.” The next morning, the philanthropist and his two traveling companions were eating bagels and yogurt as their plane left the tarmac. Diemar founded Unity Jets, a boutique private jet brokerage firm headquartered in west Kendall, with a plan to simplify private aviation and eliminate upfront and membership costs associated with fractional ownership and jet card programs. “You see hundreds of ads for luxury watch companies, and I always think to myself, ‘I’m the only one who can give these people what they’re really looking for — which is time,’” Diemar said. “It really is like a time machine.” The trip-by-trip charter and payment model has paid off... [continued - Miami Herald online]

- Press Release - Manassas, VA- JETdebit.com was launched yesterday during the NBAA Regional Forum at Landmark Aviation at Teterboro Airport (TEB).  Billed as the charter industry's first Digital Jet Card™ - JETdebit clients will have the ability to interact with their own customized profile page and receive complete trip fulfillment services with financial protections. "Consumers want direct access to the independent operators fulfilling over 90% of charter flights worldwide, while operators deserve to be paid for their services on-time, at a fair rate, and without the risk of fraudulent credit card disputes," said JETdebit Founder & CEO Jacquie Dalton. "What makes JETdebit unique to the bizav segment is that it’s mutually beneficial to operators and clients, and no additional cost to either.” Editor's note - Jacquie Dalton is also currently COO at charter operator Metropolitan Aviation based in Manassas, VA, according to LinkedIn and Metropolitan's website. JETdebit charges charter clients a flat percentage fee upon deposit of their travel funds and gives them direct on-line access to an approved network of worldwide operators that fly for JETdebit account holders at wholesale prices. The client benefits from having real-time access and transparency to their personal account where they can monitor their balance, operator quotes, travel history, profile preferences, and more. Operators gain by increasing their brand exposure, direct client business, and 24/7 centralized support services. "The JETdebit program acknowledges the significant costs an operator incurs to support a charter flight and its goal is to support the operator community by connecting them with pre-paid clients who value flying direct at wholesale pricing while still demanding higher-level services that operators are not equipped to provide," underlined Dalton. Drawing on her years of experience as an executive with Metropolitan Aviation, the mid-Atlantic's largest private jet management and charter company based at Manassas Regional Airport, 20 minutes from Washington Dulles International, Dalton independently developed JETdebit.com. “The majority of operators have been looking for the right vehicle to support each other's business in response to the challenges presented by technology over the past decade, noted Dalton. “JETdebit is a platform that brings operators together to the benefit of consumers while advancing their independent brands and growing their business.” With over 900 Part 135 operators in the US alone, JETdebit expects to register 50 operator clients in the first year of business and build to 1,000 clients within three years.  

Jet card sales are up 33% over last year and charter sales are up 32% year to date, according to Delta Private Jets (DPJ).  Continued charter fleet growth has fueled sales increases for DPJ, whose fleet now numbers 64 charter aircraft, making it the 3rd largest charter fleet in the U.S. Most of the recent aircraft additions have been midsize and super midsize aircraft and many of the aircraft have joined the fleet through DPJ’s Ownership Assist program. "We continue to add late-model aircraft with state-of-the-art technology and amenities most requested by customers to our fleet to meet the record demand we are experiencing," Vice President of Operations James Murray said to BlueSky News. Delta Private Jets' full fleet and operator details are available in FlightList PRO.

Silver Air is an aircraft charter and management company based in Southern California.  In just a couple short years they have grown from a few aircraft to a charter fleet of 13 representing all categories from Phenom 100 to Gulfstream V.  They submitted the below press release which focuses on their aircraft management and owner services.

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  Santa Barbara, Calif. – June 24, 2015 – Silver Air, the private aircraft management company and charter operator looking to redefine owner advocacy for private jet owners, has added Chuck Stumpf to its executive team as the company’s new executive vice president of business development.

Stumpf has more than two decades of executive experience in the private aviation industry. He brings a wealth of knowledge and background in sales, marketing and ownership expertise, all of which is expected to support Silver Air’s growth plan in the second half of 2015 and beyond. “Chuck is an outstanding professional with deep industry knowledge and aircraft ownership expertise that will help him lead Silver Air’s continued growth plan,” said Jason Middleton, Silver Air’s founder and CEO. “Silver Air wants our owners to have a successful experience with their aircraft, and Chuck’s energy, leadership skills and experience working with aircraft owners make him a perfect fit for our growth strategy and our team.” Silver Air’s plan for very specific, responsible growth is paralleled by its continued focus on service for existing owner partners who already understand its advocacy approach to management. Silver Air currently manages a comprehensive fleet of luxury aircraft from light to long-range heavy jets. “Silver Air is working hard to provide the absolute best experience for aircraft owners, and I am innately attracted to this team’s focus on service and advocacy for private jet owners,” Stumpf said. “Silver Air has committed to working with select aircraft owners across the country that fit the company’s long-term management vision. From my experience in the private aviation industry, I know there are a lot of private aircraft owners who will appreciate and benefit from Silver Air’s vision and management plans.” Stumpf has a Bachelor of Science degree in business aviation administration, with a minor in international aviation business and computer applications from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He completed the Developing Leadership Capability in Corporate Aviation program at the University of Virginia's Darden School of Business, and he holds a single-engine pilot license with IFR and commercial ratings. Prior to aviation, Stumpf served as a Corpsman and Special Operations Coordinator in the U.S. Navy. At Silver Air, Stumpf will be primarily responsible for seeking out new aircraft owners in a very specific and responsible way and managing strategic growth while building the Silver Air managed fleet domestically. He is based at Silver Air’s corporate offices in Santa Barbara, California. “Utilizing new technology and financial modeling, Silver Air develops management plans unique to this industry that garner the best returns for owners based on their estimated usage and financial goals,” Stumpf said. “Private aircraft owners who are looking for a new management company, or who even just want to see a free cost-benefit analysis for how Silver Air can maximize their cost-benefit return rates, should give us a call at Silver Air.”

Charter operator Solairus Aviation adds the 2008 Learjet 60XR, N352XR, to it's charter certificate.  Formerly operated for charter by Elite Air, the Lear 60 is immediately available for charter from KMCO Orlando, and is within convenient positioning for north or south Florida.

The Lear 60XR features free onboard Wi-Fi and DVD/CD entertainment system for it's 6-seat cabin. The Solairus charter entire fleet grows to 41 aircraft nationwide this month, and is available only in FlightList PRO.  

This week during the Paris Air Show Piaggio Aerospace signed two new contracts for its new generation Avanti Evo twin turboprop.  Both are in the air charter business.

The new Avanti Evo seats up to 9 passengers in a cabin comparable with a midsize jet.  Improvements include a 402 kt top cruise speed, much greater range, a quieter cabin than the Avanti and sea level cabin pressure up to 24,000 feet. Zenith Aviation, based at London Biggin Hill Airport signed for an Avanti Evo and options for seven more.  Zenith operates two Lear 45's for charter, with a Citation XLS on the way. Rozmey Air, a new company this year with charter operations in Malaysia signed for an Avanti Evo.  The aircraft is planned to be based at Sultan Abdul Halim Airport in Alor Setar.

Gone are the 1940's era hangar and tiny FBO at Wyoming's Laramie Regional Airport, KLAR, in the Southeastern corner of the state.

In its place is a brand new 4,000 sq. ft. facility for the Avfuel-branded Cowboy Aviation, the airports single FBO.  With 40,000 sq. ft. of hangar space, to accommodate up to a Citation X, the $2.3M project took 18 months to accomplish and includes an improved ramp, parking and landscaping. The new facility sports a passenger lounge/lobby, pilot lounge with crew kitchen, two snooze rooms and a 15-seat conference room equipped with audio-visual equipment. With an 8,500 ft. runway at 7,200 feet msl, Laramie is now an attractive option for cross-country tech stops.  At posting time, Jet-A was $4.25.

In typical clockwork fashion Cessna has achieved FAA type certification again, this time for the midsize Citation Latitude.  This past Friday the Latitude won certification and is clear for deliveries to begin third quarter 2015. With its first flight during February of last year, the aircraft began a fast-track test program in recent Cessna trend which resulted in its type rating certificate on schedule.  NetJets is among the first customers for delivery with an existing order of 150 Latitudes.  Others with orders for 2015 early delivery is a closely held list.

At first glance it's likely a new midsize jet will be available for transcontinental non-stops this coming winter and springs as deliveries continue.

The Latitude is a midsize jet seating up to 9 with two standard cabin configurations, one featuring a club of four with two additional froward facing seats, a cabin-forward bench for two and a rear belted lav.  The aircraft fits between the XLS and the Sovereign in the Citation lineup and the Latitude carries an outward resemblance of both.  It is described as a superior, flat-floor, stand-up cabin, 6-feet tall, 77 inches wide and 21 feet long.   the Latitude cabin is taller and wider than the Sovereign.   Airspeed at 446 kts max cruise is similar to the Sovereign and XLS. Another Coast-to-Coast Mid? The Latitude offers a range of up to 2,850 NM.  The Hawker 800XP, one of the most popular midsize charter jets known for coast-to-coast charter nonstops, has a published max range of 2,540 NM.  Practical charter use will dictate, but at first glance its likely a new midsize jet will be available for transcontinental non-stops this coming winter and springs as deliveries continue. If/when the coast-to-coast nonstop charter capability becomes reality, the Latitude should be a hot commodity in the midsize charter market.

     

International Jet Management (IJM) and charter operator MAE Aircraft Management, a subsidiary of MENA Aerospace have entered into a Joint Venture in Bahrain. MAE Aircraft Management’s operation is based at its Private Hangar at Bahrain International Airport, and holds an Aircraft Operating Certificate issued by the Kingdom of Bahrain’s Civil Aviation Affairs. The Joint Venture will promote, sell and coordinate V-VIP and corporate travel on chartered business jets. The cooperation allows Austria-based IJM to further develop its business in the Middle East Region together with a well established and well respected aviation player in the region with an existing regional infrastructure and business network. The Joint Venture’s objective is to expand the aircraft management business and to provide superior service to the regional business jet charter market. Felix Feller, founder and CEO of IJM said, “The cooperation and partnership with MENA Aerospace is the next step in our strategic and measured expansion. We believe there is a huge demand for aircraft management and charter solutions that are tailored to the growing Middle Eastern market. The know-how and experience of IJM in the field of aircraft management and charter services combined with MENA Aerospace’ regional infrastructure, local insight and business network will allow us to achieve our strategy for mutual growth.” The existing business of IJM and its Austrian Air Operator Certificate will be not affected by this new partnership. Dr. Mohamed Juman, MENA Aerospace’s managing director said, “We are certainly excited at the prospect of implementing this Joint Venture and offering the region superior private and business aviation solutions. We see our customers benefiting from the best of both worlds; An experienced European aircraft management and charter service provider, partnering with a mature, well-developed aviation services provider with regional presence and infrastructure. We are also very eager to support the Joint Venture operation with our technical support services and aircraft hangar facilities.” - See more at: http://www.arabianaerospace.aero/international-jet-management-and-mena-aerospace-in-joint-venture.html