Private Aviation Industry News

Announcing four new aircraft to the charter market in the U.S.  Popular models for charter, the Falcon 7X, Hawker 800XP, Learjet 60XR and King Air 350 are based in favored charter locations for their type aircraft, and are currently available for charter.  Operators include Gama Aviation, Cirrus Aviation Services, Elevate Jet and Jet Access Aviation.  The below new additions all are ARGUS-rated Gold or Platinum. All are available through the FlightList PRO aircraft sourcing platform, which includes all 16,631 aircraft and 3,419 charter operators, the world's largest. Falcon 7X, based PSM Portsmouth, NH

• Operated by Elevate Jet, LLC
• ARGUS Gold
• 4G Wi-Fi complimentary
• 2012 aircraft, new paint and interior December, 2017
• 14 passenger interior

Hawker 800XP, based LAS Las Vegas, NV

• Operated by CIrrus Aviation Services
• ARGUS Platinum
• Wi-Fi complimentary
• 2017 Interior refurbish
• 2018 Exterior refurbish

Learjet 60XR, based HVN New Haven, CT

• Operated by Gama Aviation
• ARGUS Platinum
• Wi-Fi complimentary
• 7 passenger interior
• Microwave, Airshow, 2 LCD monitors

King Air 350, based PBI West Palm Beach, FL

• Operated by Jet Access Aviation
• ARGUS Platinum
• 8 passengers in double-club seating
• 2004 aircraft, refurbished 2016

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Sources:  Charter operator announcements Air Charter Alerts by FlightList PRO, are the latest announcements in the private air charter industry about operators, brokers and charter aircraft, and geared towards active participants in the industry. Leading air charter brokers and travel professionals use FlightList PRO’s full-market resources, economical rates and marketing opportunities to grow their service level, their business and their bottom line. 

Announcing heavy, super-midsize and light jets new to charter in Florida, the Northeast and the West.  Popular charter aircraft models in popular locations from operators Jet Edge, Elite Air, Latitude 33 and Custom Jet Charters, they have added the following jets to their charter certificates and are currently available.  The below new additions all are ARGUS-rated Gold or Platinum.

All are available through the FlightList PRO sourcing platform, which includes all 16,631 aircraft and 3,419 charter operators, the world's largest.

Legacy 600, based TEB Teterboro, NJ

• Operated by Jet Edge
• ARGUS Platinum
• Wyvern Wingman
• 4G Wi-Fi complimentary
• 2015 Interior

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  Challenger 650, based ORL Orlando, FL
  • Operated by Elite Air
  • 11 passenger
  • ARGUS Platinum
  • Wi-Fi complimentary
  • 2018 Aircraft

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Challenger 350, based SNA Santa Ana, CA

• Operated by Latitude 33
• ARGUS Platinum
• Wi-Fi complimentary
• 2018 Aircraft

  

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  Legacy 600, based BDL Windsor Locks, CT
  • Operated by Latitude 33
  • ARGUS Gold
  • 13 passengers
  • 2004 aircraft, 2014 interior

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  Nextant 400XTI, based PIE Clearwater, FL
  • Operated by Elite Air
  • ARGUS Gold

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  Hawker 400XP, based PIE Clearwater, FL
  • • Operated by Elite Air
    • ARGUS Gold

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  Sources:  Charter operator announcements Air Charter Alerts by FlightList PRO, are the latest announcements in the private air charter industry about operators, brokers and charter aircraft, and geared towards active participants in the industry. Leading air charter brokers and travel professionals use FlightList PRO’s full-market resources, economical rates and marketing opportunities to grow their service level, their business and their bottom line. 

Announced today, Thomas Flohr’s Vista Global has acquired XOJET, the third largest US business jet charter operator by flight hours. Vista Global says that the acquisition of XOJET will allow it to expand further in the US. It launched VistaJet in America in September 2013.

VISTA GLOBAL

Nine days ago, on September 11, 2018, Thomas Flohr announced the launch of Vista Global Holding (“Vista Global”), headquartered at the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) which "will spearhead the consolidation of the fragmented and expanding business aviation market."

The group owns VistaJet, Vista Lease, TechX and at the closing of this newly announced transaction, XOJET’s fleet and commercial operations. According to the Vista Global Holding press release, "Vista Global’s fleets will provide every customer with asset-lite solutions to fly point to point anytime, anywhere at a moment’s notice - either with guaranteed aircraft availability or On Demand. In addition, Vista Global will offer the very first worldwide leasing and financing service for customer looking to purchase a dedicated aircraft. Complementing its consumer and trade offer, Vista Global will also support aviation companies looking to improve services to their clients through the most advanced technology, providing an end to end platform in a very fragmented global operator marketplace."

XOJET

Regarding the XOJET acquisition, “The journey started when I first saw an opportunity in the fragmented and inconsistent offering across the industry. Vista Global’s mission is to provide customer-centric solutions for every segment of business aviation and today’s announcement is a major step in that direction,” said Thomas Flohr, Vista Global founder and chairman. “This acquisition is the perfect addition to our global business. XOJET’s strength in North America and its reputation for offering great value perfectly complement VistaJet and the other businesses in the group.” Bradley Stewart, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of XOJET, said: “I am incredibly proud to be making today’s announcement, which will see our company become part of a fantastic family of brands. Becoming part of Vista Global will enable XOJET to achieve our dream of becoming a truly global business, providing us with the very best technology and infrastructure. I believe that Vista Global and XOJET are fundamentally aligned in our commitment to serving clients. I am looking forward to working with the Vista Global team and its companies in the future.”

XOJET and VistaJet's full fleets are available in the Floating Fleet section  of FlightList PRO's multi-search platform along with all 533 floating fleet aircraft and 37 operators.  

XOJET will continue to operate independently, under a new joint venture company, with control and leadership remaining in US hands to meet airline ownership regulations. The carrier has a fleet of 44 business jets, which includes 27 Cessna Citation Xs. The acquisition is a major step forward for Vista Global, allowing the group to build on its existing global offering and to reinforce its existing position in North America, the largest business aviation market in the world. Following today’s announcement and upon closing of the acquisition, Vista Global will have 1,500 employees in 20 offices worldwide according to its press release. Corporate Jet Investor reports that 10 companies were originally interested in acquiring the company, with a final round of bidding including three companies. Shareholders first held talks during the 2017 NBAA convention. XOJET’s largest shareholders were TPG, one of the world’s most-successful aviation investors, and Mubadalla, the sovereign wealth fund of Abu Dhabi. Although TPG was the largest shareholder, Mubadalla financed the fleet and held significant amounts of XOJET debt. The acquisition price or other conditions has not been announced. ARGUS says that XOJET flew 46,739 flight hours in the first six months of 2018. GAMA Aviation (which operates for itself and for membership provider Wheels Up) flew 72,885 hours followed by Executive Jet Management with 58,305 hours. Completion of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions. There is no financing condition to the transaction. The transaction is currently expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2018. XOJET’s regulated air carrier will be operated in a joint venture under U.S. control and leadership, in accordance with U.S. Department of Transportation criteria.

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Sources:  Company Press Release and Corporate Jet Investor's 9/20/18 article by Alud Davies. Air Charter Alerts by FlightList PRO, are the latest announcements in the private air charter industry about operators, brokers and charter aircraft, and geared towards active participants in the industry. FlightList PRO, at $90 for 3 users no contract, is a favorite of the most experienced charter brokers and travel professionals; 80% of FlightList PRO users have been arranging charters more than 10 years, 25% more than 20 years.  Free trials available.

 The U. S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is issuing a Final Rule on the role of Air Charter Brokers and consumer disclosures applying to Air Charter Brokers, air taxis and commuter air carriers, and unfair or deceptive practices or unfair methods of competition. Timeline; in 2007 the DOT published an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM), took public comments, and in 2013 issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) and took public comments. Published by document in the Federal Register Sept. 17, the DOT is issuing a Final Rule "to facilitate innovation and growth in the air charter industry while strengthening the legal protections provided to consumers of charter air transportation." The rule has a publish date of 09/17/2018 and becomes effective 02/14/2019.

DOT Final Rule Main Points

According to the document, the final rule:

1. Codifies and allows ‘‘air charter brokers’’ as principals or bona fide agents to provide single entity charter air transportation of passengers.
2. Requires air charter brokers to make certain disclosures including those responsive to a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recommendation and to make other disclosures upon request.
3. Enumerates certain practices by air charter brokers as prohibited unfair or deceptive practices or unfair methods of competition.
4. Requires air taxis and commuter air carriers that sell charter air transportation to make certain disclosures including those responsive to an NTSB recommendation and other disclosures upon request.
5. enumerates certain practices by an air taxi or commuter air carrier as prohibited unfair or deceptive practices or unfair methods of competition.

According to the document, The DOT is not adopting a proposal to codify exemption authority allowing indirect air carriers to engage in the sale of air transportation related to air ambulance services. Nor is it adopting a proposal to codify certain air transportation services performed under contract with the Federal Government. The DOT's final rule document  includes each DOT-proposed rule, summary of comments on the rule, and the final DOT Response.  It is published here in the Federal Register with a date of 09/17/2018.  The pdf "official electronic format" is published here.

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Source:  Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 180 / Monday, September 17, 2018 / Rules and Regulations Air Charter Alerts by FlightList PRO, are the latest announcements in the private air charter industry about operators, brokers and charter aircraft, and geared towards active participants in the industry. FlightList PRO, at $90 for 3 users no contract, is a favorite of the most experienced charter brokers and travel professionals; 80% of FlightList PRO users have been arranging charters more than 10 years, 25% more than 20 years.  Free trials available.

Each year Inc. Magazine names the fastest-growing privately held small companies in the U.S., called the "Inc. 5000".  The companies are ranked by overall revenue growth over the prior three-year period.  All 5,000 honoree companies are individually profiled on Inc.com. Inc. also ranks the companies into sub-categories by industry, state, metro, city and others. Five private air charter operator and broker companies were named to the 2018 Inc. 5000.  The below information is from the Inc. 5000, and shown in order of ranking, 3-year growth rate: Luxury Aircraft Solutions (charter broker) Provides private jet charter services, specializing in challenging itineraries at the industry's lowest pricing.

• 2018 Rank #2143
• Leadership: Daniel Hirschhorn
• 2017 Revenue $6.1M
• 3-Year Growth 207%
• Founded 2011 Employees 6

Premier Private Jets  (charter operator) Specializes in chartered private aircraft, aircraft management, and pilot training.

• 2018 Rank #2262
• Leadership: Josh Birmingham
• 2017 Revenue $6.3M
• 3-Year Growth 195%
• Founded 2003 Employees 20
• A two-time Inc. 5000 honoree, 2017 - 2018

Paramount Business Jets (charter broker) Offers private flights to and from any city in the world with as little as four hours of notice. Private Jets (charter operator) Provides customer service worldwide in the aircraft charter industry. Serves as an aircraft charter operator for individuals as well as businesses nationwide. Magellan Jets (charter broker) Provides national and international charter jet flights. Offers private jet membership programs and other services for those who require a private jet when they are traveling. One of its perks is the low 10-hour notice that is required before a flight is booked.

• 2018 Rank #3737
• Leadership: Joshua Hebert
• 2017 Revenue $38M
• 3-Year Growth 98%
• Founded 2008 Employees 35
• A six-time Inc. 5000 honoree, 2013 - 2018

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Sources:  Inc. 5000, Inc.com FlightList PRO, at $90 for 3 users no contract, is a favorite of the most experienced charter brokers and travel professionals; 80% of FlightList PRO users have been arranging charters more than 10 years, 25% more than 20 years.  Free trials available. Air Charter Alerts by FlightList PRO, are the latest announcements in the private air charter industry about operators, brokers and charter aircraft, and geared towards active participants in the industry.

Directional Aviation, parent to subsidiary OneSky LLC - which holds fractional provider Flexjet and charter brokers Skyjet and Sentient Jet - announced yesterday the acquisition of U.K.-based online charter broker PrivateFly. Launched in 2008, PrivateFly will combine with charter broker Skyjet, “to create one of the world’s largest online booking platforms for private jet charter, one with a robust digital platform and a physical geography and assets tailored for countries on four continents,” according to Directional's press release.  No purchase price was disclosed. The combined PrivateFly/Skyjet entity will have a presence in both the U.S. and Europe and will leverage OneSky's existing assets and infrastructure. OneSky's Flexjet provides fractional jet ownership, leases and jet cards.  Sentient Jet sells jet cards exclusively.  Skyjet sells on-demand charter and a membership program.

Charter Alerts - current news about charter operators, brokers and aircraft - are posted by FlightList PRO, serving charter brokers and operators with the largest platform of aircraft in the U.S., Europe and worldwide.

For its part, PrivateFly acquired U.S.-based broker Bird Dog Jet last November bringing with it a preferred supplier relationship to the $23.7 billion Virtuoso network of luxury travel agencies. PrivateFly co-founders Adam Twidell and Carol Cork will lead Skyjet/PrivateFly as CEO and chief marketing officer, respectively, a OneSky spokesman told Aviation International News.  They will both report to Andrew Collins, who is now the global brand manager for Skyjet, PrivateFly, and Sentient Jet, and also retains his title as president and CEO of Sentient Jet. Directional Aviation also holds aircraft remanufacturer Nextant Aerospace as well as various parts, services, leasing, and aircraft finance businesses and was estimated to have $2.5 billion in revenues and 3,000 employees in 2017. Directional has been growing through acquisitions domestically and abroad. It acquired Sentient Jet in 2012 and then Flexjet and Skyjet in 2013.  In 2016, it acquired U.K. charter operator FlairJet.  Directional principal Ken Ricci last year told Forbes.com, "What I see happening is opportunities overseas more – we are starting to see a shift to more opportunities outside the U.S. than within it."

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Sources:  Company press release, AIN, Forbes.com FlightList PRO, at $90 for 3 users no contract, is a favorite of the most experienced charter brokers and travel professionals; 80% of FlightList PRO users have been arranging charters more than 10 years, 25% more than 20 years.  Free trials available. Air Charter Alerts by FlightList PRO, are the latest announcements in the private air charter industry about operators, brokers and charter aircraft, and geared towards active participants in the industry.

Part 135 flying led business aviation last month with a 15 percent climb in large cabin jet charters.

From Aviation International News 4/9/18: Business aircraft flying in the U.S. and Canada continued its ascent last month, but the 2.6 percent year-over-year increase was once again almost solely due to rising Part 135 activity, according to TraqPak data released by Argus International. Weaker flying at the fractional providers and especially at Part 91 operators caused activity to miss the company’s estimate for a 4.2 percent increase in March; this month, it is expecting a 2.8 percent rise. By operator category, Part 135 flying led the pack last month, climbing 7.7 percent year-over-year, while fractional activity ventured back into positive territory, with a 0.6 percent gain over March 2017. Part 91 activity also remained anemic, once again recording a slight loss, falling 0.4 percent from a year ago. All aircraft categories saw increases last month, with large-cabin jets coming out ahead with a 4.7-percent year-over-year increase, despite a 20.4 percent erosion in fractional large-cabin jet flying. This was followed by midsize jets, up 4.4 percent; turboprops, 1.8 percent; and light jets, 0.2 percent. The only double-digit gain in individual categories last month belonged to Part 135 large-cabin jets, which rose 15.1 percent from a year ago. All individual categories under Part 91 suffered losses, with the exception of large-cabin jets, which rose 4.5 percent.

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Source:  AINalerts, Aviation International News announcement FlightList PRO, at $90 for 3 users no contract, is a favorite of the most experienced charter brokers and travel professionals; 80% of FlightList PRO users have arranged charters more than 10 years, 25% more than 20 years.  Free trials available. Air Charter Alerts by FlightList PRO, are the latest announcements in the private air charter industry about operators, brokers and charter aircraft, and geared towards active participants in the industry.

Announced last week, OJets, a new provider of business aviation services, launched charter service with a Bombardier Global 6000 and a Bombardier Challenger 650, newly purchased from Minsheng Financial Leasing Co., Ltd., and reported bold plans for growth.

OJets charter aircraft are available only in the FlightList PRO multi-search platform, the only source with all 16,631 charter aircraft and 3,419 operators worldwide.

"We are honored to have closed with Minsheng Finance Leasing Co. of China as our finance partner and look forward to building our relationship as we expand OJets," said Michael Ta, CFO, OJets. "We have implemented a growth objective to quadruple the size of OJets' current fleet by the end of Q2. This growth is underpinned by $350M in equity and debt; and will establish OJets as a global operator with one of the newest fleets of long range business aircraft in service." OJets  services include:

• On-Demand Charter.  A flexible pay-as-you-fly service, including: one-way trips, choice of aircraft and no hidden fees.
• Block Hour Program, for frequent travelers. Highly-personalized service with 48-hour guaranteed aircraft availability at a fixed hourly rate, including: global coverage without ferry fees within service area, no initiation fee and no monthly management fees.

Headquartered in Singapore, OJets' world-class team is guided by a commitment to delivering industry-defining service – tailored to the most discerning Asian and international business travelers.

Including OJets aircraft, heavy and ultra long range jets based in the Singapore area now number 10 with 7 different charter operators; 2 Challengers, 2 Gulfstream 450, 2 Gulfstream 550, 1 Global 5000 and 3 Global 6000 aircraft.  FlightList PRO is the only source with all charter aircraft in Singapore and worldwide.

The OJets brand features the signature "O", inspired the Asian symbol "enso", which represents strength, elegance and infinity. Enso is the embodiment of OJets' vision of connecting East and West with a global reach at the pinnacle of luxury business aviation. "We are delighted to collaborate with OJets, a new integrated provider of comprehensive business aviation services, to bring a Global 6000 and a Challenger 650 into its fleet," said Mr. Wang Fuhou, President, Business and Commercial Aviation Leasing Division, Minsheng Financial Leasing Co., Ltd. "Both parties are confident in our partnership and in the business aviation market. We look forward to the success of this cooperation." About OJets Headquartered in Singapore, OJets is an integrated provider of comprehensive business aviation services, including owning and operating a private fleet. For more information see http://www.ojets.com.

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Source:  OJets press release FlightList PRO, at $90 for 3 users no contract, is a favorite of the most experienced charter brokers and travel professionals; 80% of FlightList PRO users have been arranging charters more than 10 years, 25% more than 20 years.  Free trials available. Air Charter Alerts by FlightList PRO, are the latest announcements in the private air charter industry about operators, brokers and charter aircraft, and geared towards active participants in the industry.

Growing charter operator Global Air Charter based at STP St. Paul, MN has become the latest of a growing number of floating fleet operators, chartering the below 16-passenger Gulfstream IV-SP and 12-passenger Gulfstream IV with one-way pricing.  Global's charter fleet also includes a 12-seat Gulfstream III and a Citation Mustang.  Floating fleets are a prominent and growing segment in private jet charter, noted below. Global Air Charter's 16-passenger G-IV SP, YOM 1993, YOR 2014, free domestic WiFi:

With the update, the FlightList PRO Floating Fleets resource now includes 27 charter operators with 316 jets dedicated to point-to-point pricing, with the ability to request quotes from multiple selected operators at once.  Aircraft types run the gamut of business jets, from light jet to heavy and long range jets.  With the update, below are the totals by category of charter jets available in the U.S. for point-to-point pricing:

• 90 light jets
• 77 midsize jets
• 76 super midsize jets
• 73 Heavy and long range jets

Charter pricing with floating fleets can be quite advantageous for one way needs or round trips over many days.  Cancellation terms can vary and be stricter with the pricing advantage and the logistics of point-to-point charter flying.  Most operators are non-cancelable inside 72 hours from scheduled departure while some are shorter or even immediately upon booking.  With this typical business model, most floating fleets are owned by the operator or are under management agreements whereby separate ‘owner approval’ is not required.  Ages of floating fleet aircraft, much like traditional charter fleets, vary from brand new production line aircraft to manufacture dates in the 70’s or 80’s.  All listed operators have at least one independent auditor safety rating, and more than half have 2 or more of the top ratings; ARGUS Platinum, Wyvern Wingman and ISBAO Registered. Global Air Charter 12-passenger G-IV, YOM 1989, YOR 2014, free domestic WiFi:

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Source:  company announcement FlightList PRO is used by the most successful and experienced brokers and travel professionals in the industry; 80% of users have arranged charters more than 10 years, 25% more than 20 years. Air Charter Alerts by FlightList PRO, are the latest announcements in the private air charter industry about operators, brokers and charter aircraft, and geared towards active participants in the industry.