Operator Updates

- Dual-Based:  KISP Long Island, NY and KPBI West Palm Beach, FL - 

Charter operator Solairus announced today its new-to-charter, dual-based Falcon 2000; seating for 10, Wi-Fi enabled, and based at PBI and ISP.  Amenities include a forward full service galley, convection and microwave oven, and DVD/CD/AirShow. The addition takes the Solairus fleet to 41 charter aircraft nationwide.  More than a third of the fleet are available ONLY in FlightList PRO.  Solairus operates one of the largest charter fleets in the world.    

Charter Operator Prime Jet announced yesterday it is now offering point to point pricing with its 16 passenger G-V, with international and Domestic Wi-Fi. The 2000 G-V is floating between South Florida, New York, Southern California and Europe, available for reduced one-way pricing. This is the only Gulfstream V available for point to point pricing, and joins the company's G-IV in point-to-point pricing in the U.S. The full array of 13 floating fleet operators and 208 aircraft is available in the FlightList PRO Floating Fleet section. Prime Jet operates 9 heavy jet Gulfstreams for charter.

Update 8/7/15: Membership-based private flight service Beacon, announces they are launching service September 15, with unlimited access to its fleet for prices starting at $2,000 per month, with flights between Boston and New York, as well as seasonal trips to Nantucket and the Hamptons. Reservations, changes and cancellations can be made as little as 20 minutes before departure, the company says.  Surf Air, based in California, operates its own Pilatus PC-12 turboprops, but Beacon has partnered with charter operator Dynamic Aviation, based in Virginia. Under its $400 million agreement, Beacon says, Dynamic will deliver 27 mid-sized executive aircraft over the next three years, and is contracted to maintain and operate the aircraft for Beacon over the next 10 years. Dynamic Aviation will provide commuter passenger services on an exclusive basis to Beacon. "We are excited to announce this partnership between Dynamic Aviation and Beacon," said Wade Eyerly, Beacon's CEO and co-founder. Prior news post 2/11/15: Former Surf Air CEO Wade Eyerly and his co-founders have started a very similar private flight operation called Beacon.  The new subscription service, Beacon passengers will pay $2000 per month for unlimited flights on a maximum 10-passenger aircraft.  Different from Surf Air, Beacon does not own or operate its own aircraft, instead it connects is members with certified air carriers.  Typical aircraft are similar to the Pilatus PC-12 and Beechcraft King Air 350i.  Cities served for the launch include New York(White Plains) and Boston, with seasonal service to Nantucket and the Hamptons. story info courtesy Avweb by Mary Grady

Charter Operator Solairus Aviation has added new to charter, N117WH, a low time 2006 Learjet 45XR which is based at KDAY Dayton, Ohio and is currently available. The aircraft features Wi-Fi on board, forward galley with microwave oven, cabin climate control, and seating for up to 8 passengers in the desirable Learjet 45 double-club configuration. This is Solairus' first Learjet 45 model for charter.  Solairus operates 37 aircraft for charter based throughout the U.S., 13 of which are available ONLY in FlightList PRO. The full Solairus fleet is a diverse variety from the King Air B200 executive turboprop to the new Gulfstream G650 long range jet.

A Cincinnati couple became the first people to receive the ultimate in Delta upgrades: from commercial airplane to a private jet. Bruce and Jeanette Rogovin are Delta SkyMiles Medallion members and were originally booked on a Delta flight from the Cincinnati airport to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, until they received an email the night before their Friday flight offering an upgrade to a private plane.

The couple, who were traveling to Atlanta to visit their son, were upgraded to a Falcon 2000, a large cabin jet that seats up to 10 passengers. They even had their own flight attendant, who provided them with complimentary champagne, chocolate-covered strawberries and lunch during the flight. The couple said they loved the roominess of the private jet. "I would have to say that it was the most relaxing, enjoyable flight I've ever had," Bruce Rogovin said. "From the lack of lines to the spacious, beautiful cabin, everything was truly enjoyable." Delta Private Jets President Erik Snell and David Sneed, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Delta Private Jets, were on hand in Cincinnati to greet the first passengers, and accompanied them on their flight.

The program is offered by Delta Vacations and allows Medallion status passengers traveling on select Delta commercial flights to upgrade their tickets to travel via Delta Private Jets. Customers are contacted via email and offered the upgrade for an additional fee, which includes transportation to and from the private airport and the main commercial terminal, and complimentary on-board catering. “Delta Private Jets is proud to operate this innovative program offered by Delta Vacations and Delta Air Lines. As the only Part 135 operator (offering non-scheduled charter flights) in the United States owned by a major airline, we are uniquely able to operate such a program,” said Sneed. “Delta Private Jets was the first private jet operator to offer the convenience of a Jet Card (see below) and continues to revolutionize the industry with new products such as offering Delta Air Lines Medallion customers elite access to private jet travel.” Source: Delta Air Lines

Columbus Business First By Evan Weese, August 4, 2015 Ypsilanti, Michigan-based Kalitta Charters LLC has purchased operational assets of Columbus-based AirNet Systems Inc., a specialized cargo carrier that has struggled to overcome a plunge in demand for flying canceled bank checks over the past decade. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. “We’re buying the people,” said Doug Kalitta, president of Kalitta Charters. “They’ve been in business for 40 years. They’ve scaled down and they really kept their best people.” Kalitta provides air charter services for passenger, cargo, and medical transport. AirNet operated under a court-appointed receiver since early 2014.  Founded in 1974, the company was publicly traded from 1996 through 2008, when it was taken private. AirNet employed more than 1,000, many in Columbus, until its main source of business dried up when banks were authorized in 2004 to clear checks by sending digital images instead of physically transporting canceled checks. “From the check side of things, obviously none of that exists anymore,” said Mark Simone, an executive with AirNet who spearheaded the sale of assets out of receivership.  “(Now) it’s radioactive pharmaceuticals, auto parts, getting parts to airplanes, organs for procurement.” Kalitta Charters, which operates a fleet of 40 aircraft for flying passengers and cargo with quick response times, also was drawn to the company’s aircraft maintenance operations.  “That’s one of the things we’re real excited about,” Kalitta said. Kalitta plans to begin hiring.  “We’re looking for definitely another dozen pilots,” Kalitta said. Katlitta's full fleet for passenger, cargo and ambulance is available ONLY in FlightList PRO. AirNet's full fleet for cargo charters is available ONLY in FlightList PRO. Columbus Business First

Neptune Aviation, a Part-135 charter operator based at KMSO Missoula, MT, has gained FAA approval to offer scheduled flights between Missoula and Billings.  Montana's two largest cities will be connected by direct round-trip flights twice a week, starting in September. The service will be a membership-based flight program with their King Air 100, and will depart Missoula every Tuesday and Thursday at 7:45 a.m. and get to Billings at 9 a.m., then depart Billings at 4:45 and arrive in Missoula at 6:15 p.m.

“Our current FAA 135 Charter Certificate limits the number of ‘scheduled’ flights we can offer each week,” explained Neptune CEO Ron Hooper. “When we launch flights to Billings in September, we will start with two round trips per week, with limited seating on each flight. Based on FAA rules, we have the option to offer two additional ‘scheduled’ flights per week, which we hope to add to the membership program later in the year.”

Kevin Condit, a spokesperson for Neptune, said that memberships for Neptune’s service to Billings will start at $750 per month and go up, depending on how many flights a customer wants.

“This is not a commercial airline-type situation where people are calling up and saying I need to go to Billings next month,” he explained. "This is really designed for people who travel to Billings frequently and need to go there and back on the same day."

Neptune conducted community surveys with the help of the Missoula Area Chamber of Commerce and the Missoula Economic Partnership to gauge the market for these flights.

“Basically, people said, ‘We need this as soon as you can,’ ” Condit said. “The folks at the Missoula Airport get calls saying, ‘Hey, I need to get to Billings, what’s the best option?’ This will connect the two largest cities in the state with really efficient air travel.”

When Big Sky Airlines of Billings went out of business in 2008, it left a big hole in the transportation options in the state, Condit noted.

“When you think about Missoula and Billings, there is not an easy way to get back an forth,” he explained. “You can either drive six hours or fly commercial through Seattle or Salt Lake or Denver, and that takes as much time as driving. There’s a real need.”

Hooper said that frequent travelers to Billings should act quickly to sign up for a Neptune membership.

“Our first round of memberships will be limited to 25 individuals and companies,” he said. “Based on the input of the Missoula community, memberships will sell out quickly.”

http://missoulian.com/business/local/neptune-aviation-to-offer-roundtrip-flights-from-missoula-to-billings/article_d0e67547-3e3c-50f8-8fe1-8be90e584cbc.html Neptune Aviation also operates a Falcon 50 and Falcon 10 on their 135 certificate.  Operator and fleet details are available in FlightList PRO.

Hawthorne Global Aviation Services today announced that Joe Horowitz joined ExcelAire, its private jet charter and management company, as Vice President Business Development.

Prior to ExcelAire, Mr. Horowitz served as Vice President of Business Development for LISS Technologies Consulting.   He was also a Brand Ambassador for both Tempus Jets and Webair Internet Development.  A professional golfer, Joe played on numerous professional tours, including PGA Tour Canada and has won professional tournaments worldwide.

“Joe brings deep expertise in business development and charter sales to ExcelAire, and we welcome him to our team, “said Greg Brinkman, President, ExcelAire.  “His extensive network of corporate jet charter clients is a tremendous asset to our firm, and will contribute greatly to our continued growth in aircraft management and private jet charter.”

Excelaire operates 9 northeast-based charter aircraft; midsize through ultra long range jets which include Learjet 60, two Gulfstream IVSP, Gulfstream V, three Legacy 600's, a Falcon 900EX EASy and a Global 6000.

The entire fleet and operator details are available in FlightList PRO here.

News Source: Hawthorne Global Aviation Services

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.