Seven years after selling his private jet service to Delta Air Lines, aviation entrepreneur Jim Segrave is "getting the band back together" in Kinston.
His new charter company, LGM Enterprises, is doing business as flyExclusive at Global Transpark. And it involves many of the same employees that helped him build Segrave Aviation, purchased by Delta subsidiary Delta AirElite in 2010 for an undisclosed sum.
This time, however, Segrave is doing things a bit differently. “We own all our own planes, for one,” he says.
To cover the costs, LGM has closed on $315,000 in debt capital, part of an offering capped at $2.5 million, according to a securities filing disclosed May 3rd.
flyExclusive and its 20-aircraft fleet are included in the Floating Fleets section of FlightList PRO's multi-search platform along with all 232 floating fleet aircraft and 14 operators. Get your free 30-day trial here.
The 2-year-old firm already has a fleet of more than 20 airplanes, according to Segrave. He says flyExclusive adds a plane every two to three weeks.
While the first company had 17 different types of jets in its fleet, the new firm has just two. He says standardization means all of his pilots can fly all of his planes – giving him scheduling flexibility.
Editor note: The fleet currently includes 7 Citation CJ2 light jets, and 13 Citation Excel/XLS aircraft, all model year 2000-2008. flyExclusive was recently highlighted in a previous charter alert as now being approved for the ARGUS Platinum rating.
Segrave says the business model is working. FlyExclusive targets high net-worth individuals, business executives and families. Already, the company averages about 1,500 hours per month in the air, with about a $60 million annual run rate, he adds. The goal is to increase the fleet to 50 airplanes “as fast as I can do it,” he explains. “It will probably take me two years.”
The firm has 110 employees.
Article in Triangle Business Journal herePrevious Charter Alert about flyExclusive, 7/14/17
Sources: Article in Triangle Business Journal, public information
All 20 flyExclusive charter aircraft are available in the FlightList PRO multi-search platform which includes all 16,631 charter aircraft and 3,419 charter operators worldwide. 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.
VistaJet officially launched VistaJet Direct, its new digital membership offering priority access to one-way and empty-leg flights at preferential rates.
For a $10,000 annual fee, VistaJet Direct members can request bookings on all available VistaJet aircraft before they are offered to the charter market, according to a release from the company.
Bookings via the VistaJet Direct smartphone app are guaranteed and come with all of the company’s typical services. Through the app’s geo-location feature, members can receive a push notification when a flight near them or from their favorite cities is available.
According to VistaJet, the app offers real-time fixed pricing and the entire booking process can be completed “in minutes.” Members can also request flights through the app, as well as order catering and arrange other ground services.
VistaJet released this statement from company Chairman and Founder, Thomas Flohr:
“This launch is all about giving our customers, and all business travelers, as much flexibility and choice as possible. With the addition of VistaJet Direct, flying with us is easier than ever. We’re always looking for new opportunities to make travel as memorable as possible, and make our customers’ flight an experience they will never forget. VistaJet Direct is the fastest and most convenient way to fly VistaJet. Customers can now book a flight and access the full array of our services no matter where in the world they are, at a time that suits them.”
Source: Company press release
Past Charter Alerts about VistaJet:VistaJet US Flight and Pax Traffic Grows Triple Digits, Worldwide Double DigitsVistaJet Adds Jet Charter Service in ChinaThe FlightList PRO multi-search platform which includes all 16,631 charter aircraft and 3,419 charter operators worldwide. FlightList PRO is used by the most successful and experienced brokers and travel professionals in the industry; 80% of those using FlightList PRO have been arranging charters more than 10 years, and a full 1/4 - more than 20 years. Currently 30-day free trials are 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.
FlightList PRO, the largest resource for the air charter professional, announces a major update and recent additions to its Floating Fleets resource.
Floating fleet aircraft with one-way pricing are perhaps the fastest growing business segment in private jet charter. Ten years ago a handful of operators and their dedicated fleets were pricing and flying point-to-point charters in the U.S. Worldwide Jet, Segrave Aviation and Red Wing Aeroplane had been operating, and XOJET and Travel Management Company were just getting started. Today the air charter industry has 23 operators with 332 dedicated floating aircraft; 14 with dedicated floating fleets, and 9 more operators with a number of jets floating and dedicated to point-to-point pricing.
The fast growing one-way-pricing segment of the air charter industry is captured in FlightList PRO's Floating Fleet section, which is newly updated and includes all 23 operators and 332 aircraft with one-way pricing.
Recent additions are 8 operators and 61 floating fleet aircraft to the resource, a 53% growth in floating aircraft operators and 23% growth in floating aircraft availability. The resource is constantly updated.
A special user feature is the ability to select a number of floating fleet operators, and with one click request a flight quote or information.
Sizes and types of one-way priced jets available in the U.S. run the gamut from very light jets to long range intercontinental jets. The Floating Fleet resource includes 12 VLJ's, 44 light jets, 81 midsize jets, 51 super-midsize and 65 heavy and long range jets.
Aircraft, operator, fleet and certificate information is constantly updated in the FlightList PRO resource, which leads the ever-changing air charter industry.
The FlightList PRO platform features every charter aircraft and operator automatically; over 1,600 operators and 7,500 aircraft in the U.S. alone, and 3,400 operators and 16,600 aircraft worldwide. Air cargo and air ambulance segments are included as well.
Operator details are displayed such as auditor safety ratings, year of make, Wi-Fi enabled and more. Aircraft can be searched and displayed to meet any number of parameters.
The most knowledgeable charter brokers in the industry are using FlightList PRO; 80% of its users have arranged charter more than 10 years, 25% more than 20 years. Rates are just $90/month for 3 users. Free 30-day trials are currently available.
Source: FlightList PRO release.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.
Enter Phenix Jet International, LLC, and it's charter fleet of - currently 5 - long range jets. With ARGUS Platinum and Wyvern Wingman ratings backing up it's intercontinental aircraft capabilities.
2014 Gulfstream 650ER
2011 Gulfstream G650
2012 Global 6000
2011 Global 6000
2014 Falcon 7X
Editor's note: Along with many other U.S. operators, Phenix Jet International aircraft are available only in the FlightList PRO platform, with all 16,631 charter aircraft and 3,419 charter operators worldwide. $90/mo., free trials here.
U.S.-registered and operated, the long range jets are based between Tokyo, Japan and Kong Kong, positioned for Asian transport as well as U.S./Asia nonstop luxury transports.
Asian based aircraft with U.S. operators, and holding ARGUS and Wyvern ratings are a rare availability in the far East. Just 10 other operators out of 51 with aircraft in China, Hong Kong or Japan hold ARGUS or Wyvern ratings. 4 of the 10 are U.S. operators Avjet Corporation, Executive Jet Management, Jet Aviation and Zetta Jet. Source- FlightList PROBy TAMIYUKI KIHARA/ Staff Writer, The Asahi ShimbunAug. 5, 2017Gulfstream G650 jet operated by Phenix Jet. Photo: Sojitz Corp.
Major trading house Sojitz Corp. has set up a company to operate jet planes for wealthy individuals and corporate customers outside Japan in the rest of Asia.
Sojitz set up the subsidiary firm Phenix Jet International LLC in the United States, and has opened an office in Hong Kong, with the aim of offering “business jets” that can accommodate between four and 20 passengers.
The company is hoping to tap into demand for similar aircraft, which is expected to grow among wealthy people in China and Southeast Asia.
In operating the business, Sojitz will keep the jet planes on behalf of their owners and undertake centralized management of their maintenance, arrangement of pilots and operation of flights.
The company has already invested several hundred million yen (several million dollars) in the firm, which will be operated under the “Phenix Jet” brand.
Sojitz is not new to the business sector. It has been operating business jets, mostly in Japan, since 2003, and currently has about 10 jet planes available for the business.
The operation of business jets is flourishing in Western countries. Japan Airlines Co. began operating similar aircraft in France in May.
Demand for the mode of transport is also rising in Asia, partly because they allow efficient mobility in areas that are not served by regular flights. Sojitz expects there will be new demand for 1,000 more business jets in Asia alone over the next 10 years.
Source: Public news article / The Asahi Shimbun / company materialsPhenix Jet charter aircraft are available only in the FlightList PRO multi-search platform which includes all 16,631 charter aircraft and 3,419 charter operators worldwide. 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.
Jet management company and charter operator Jet Linx reaches 100-aircraft milestone
By Steve Jordon / World-Herald staff writer"A hundred airplanes is a phenomenal benchmark," said Jet Linx President and CEO Jamie Walker. Photo: Matt Miller/The World-Herald
The trick to making money with airplanes is to not own them.
Jet Linx learned that lesson four years after the Omaha company started in 1999, giving up ownership of its jets and shifting to aircraft management and a private jet travel card service.
Now, Jet Linx is celebrating its 100th managed jet — actually, the fleet stands at 101 today — and ranks No. 3 in the highly fragmented industry of managing and renting out expensive air vehicles as a service to their owners.
“A hundred airplanes is a phenomenal benchmark,” said Jet Linx President and CEO Jamie Walker.
He hosted about 400 clients, staff members, vendors and others for supper at downtown Omaha’s Blatt Beer & Table restaurant, followed by a private concert by the band Smash Mouth at Slowdown.
No. 1 in managed fleet size is Executive Jet Management, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway’s NetJets. No. 2 is Gama Aviation, based in Hampshire, England.
Jet Linx added 38 aircraft last year and is headed for 110 by the end of 2017. Walker attributed that growth, about 30 percent a year in revenue, to the people running its network of 14 local private airport terminals, alongside the 95-member staff at its operational headquarters in Omaha.
From pilots to airplane polishers, Jet Linx has 485 employees.
Members of the Jet Linx local Omaha FBO team, with their Hawker 800XP midsize jet and crew. Photo: Jet Linx
Joe Moeggenberg, president and CEO of air travel data company ARGUS International of Cincinnati, said Jet Linx’s local network is a unique structure in private jet management, an industry with 2,300 businesses, nearly all of them tiny, that manage private jet airplanes.
Jet Linx — an ARGUS customer — has a cost advantage because most of its flights start or end at its network cities, Moeggenberg said, meaning fewer expensive empty-cabin flights.
Aside from a few jets managed exclusively for their owners, Jet Linx’s card customers can book any of the airplanes made available at the owners’ discretion.
Jet Linx handles fueling, maintenance, safety checks, hangar storage and other services, including employing pilots, as well as scheduling and tracking flights for Jet Linx’s card members, more than 200 in Omaha and 1,300 total.
All 79 Jet Linx charter aircraft nationwide are included in FlightList PRO's multi-search platform along with all all 16,631 charter aircraft and 3,419 charter operators worldwide. Free 30-day trials available here.
Card members are guaranteed hourly rates — $3,500 to $8,500, depending on the size of the plane — as well as flight access and safety standards, Walker said. Their travel fees cover Jet Linx’s costs and supply revenue for the aircraft owners, often cutting net operating costs by 50 percent.
But no matter how well you manage costs, Walker said, there’s an industry truism: “You cannot make money owning an airplane.”
Besides operating expenses, aircraft prices are high, especially for long-range aircraft.
Jet Linx’s fleet includes seven-passenger Beechjet 400s that can travel 1,400 miles on a tank of fuel, often priced around $700,000, and 14-passenger, $20 million-plus Gulfstream 450s with a 5,000-mile range.
Walker said some businesses would end their company flight operations if they had to absorb all the costs. By bringing in revenue from travel card customers they can keep the convenience and time savings that jets offer.
Besides Omaha, Jet Linx’s local offices are in Atlanta; Dallas; Denver; Detroit; Forth Worth, Texas; Houston; Indianapolis; Nashville, Tennessee; St. Louis; San Antonio; Scottsdale, Arizona; Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Dulles Airport in Washington, D.C.
Jet Linx is majority owner of each location, with a local partner as minority owner.
“We need somebody locally who gives us that credibility and trust and support in that community,” Walker said, plus contacts to recruit as travel card members.
Besides reduced “dead-head” flight costs, he said, the terminals provide local-style, personalized service for card members and aircraft owners. The local Jet Linx partner typically becomes “the jet guy” in each city, he said.
Later this year Jet Linx’s local offices will celebrate the 100-aircraft landmark. Jet Linx was founded by Denny Walker, Jamie’s father and now chairman. He is former head of MemberWorks Inc., an Omaha-based card membership company. Jamie Walker said Jet Linx has room to grow, with plans to open about two locations a year. He said another dozen or so U.S. cities meet Jet Linx’s requirements for airport services and other standards.
The Omaha World-Herald is owned by Berkshire Hathaway Inc.
By: Steve Jordon / Omaha World-Herald, 6/26/17. Article in the Omaha World-Herald here.
All 79 Jet Linx charter aircraft are available in the FlightList PRO multi-search platform which includes all 16,631 charter aircraft and 3,419 charter operators worldwide. 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.
Two popular US charter operators now carry the ARGUS Platinum rating, the highest designation available from the aviation services and safety organization, ARGUS. With this, 31 more aircraft spanning both US coasts, have the Platinum designation.
The two-year-old operator flyExclusive with its fast growing floating fleet has become a major player in the one-way pricing charter market nationwide.
Operating a defined fleet of seventeen jets, consisting of eleven midsize Citation Excels and six Citation CJ2 light jets, flyExclusive is included in both the Aircraft Search and the Floating Fleets sections of FlightList PRO's multi-search platform, along with all 14 floating fleet operators and 232 aircraft.
Founded in 2006, Latitude 33 Aviation manages the largest and newest fleet of light jets in the United States according to a company press release. Headquartered at KCRQ McClellan-Palomar Airport in Southern California, Latitude 33 Aviation is convenient to San Diego, Orange County, Los Angeles and surrounding areas.
Operating a total of fourteen aircraft for charter, Latitude 33 offers seven Citation CJ3 and CJ3+, and four other Citations; M2, CJ4, XLS and Sovereign. Rounding out the current fleet are a Phenom 100 and two Phenom 300's. All are manufacturing dates of 2005 or newer.
The fleet is based in Southern and Central California, the majority in the Los Angeles and San Diego area, including 9 at KCRQ Palomar Airport, Carlsbad, CA, a northern Suburb of San Diego.
The full fleets of flyExclusive and Latitude 33 are only available in FlightList PRO's multi-search platform, the only source including all Part-135 certified charter aircraft and operators in the US and worldwide. Free 30-day access is available here.
Currently worldwide, 1,698 charter, cargo and ambulance aircraft with 134 operators carry the ARGUS Platinum rating, 1,372 aircraft and 109 operators are in the United States.
ARGUS International, Inc. is one of four main aircraft operations safety services and registration organizations, and has the largest number of operators subscribing.
Other major safety services organizations include Wyvern Ltd., Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF), and the International Business Aircraft Council (IBAC).
flyExclusive and Latitude 33 both also carry the Wyvern Registered designation.
Other Charter Alert about Latitude 33, 9/29/16
Source: Company press releases, news and public information
All 4 major safety standard organizations and 6 operator ratings are included by operators in the FlightList PRO multi-search platform which includes all 16,631 charter aircraft and 3,419 charter operators worldwide. 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.
Horizon Air Group, a charter broker and aircraft sales/acquisition broker based in Dallas, TX, has announced the acquisition of World Class Jet dba Starbase Jet for undisclosed terms, including the air carrier certificate to be rebranded Horizon Jet Management.
Starbase Jet/World Class Jet was a holding of the Randall Reed Family of Companies headquartered in Addison, TX.
Horizon Air Group launched in May 2015 as Horizon Air Charter, with what it called the industry's first monthly Flight Equity pay-as-you-go jet card program. The founders of Horizon Air Group, Luis Barros and Robert Rosenberg, both have employment histories with Starbase Jet. More in 2015's Air Charter Alert, New Broker Offers Pay-As-You-Go Card And Consulting Services
The acquisition allows Horizon Air Group to not only assist clients with charter services and aircraft sales, but also FAA licensed aircraft operation through the Part 135 air carrier certificate, which is ARGUS Platinum rated, Wyvern Registered, IS-BAO Registered, and has worldwide operating authority.
Starbase Jet's full charter fleet is available only in the FlightList PRO multi-search platform along with all 16,631 charter aircraft and 3,419 charter operators worldwide. Free 30-day trials available here.
Houston-based Starbase Jet (World Class Jet) with its Part-135 certificate was established in 2000, and currently operates a fleet of 8 aircraft on certificate, based between Houston, Dallas and Santa Ana, CA. Light through heavy jets, the types include Embraer Legacy 600, Citation X, Citation Sovereign, Learjet 60, Citation XLS and Citation CJ2.
"In a time when people feel like they only have two choices, to either stick with the classic charter models that have been around for some time or buy into the trendy memberships programs that have been popular lately, it's important to us to really forge ahead with an alternative that combines the best of both worlds," said Horizon Air Group CEO Luis Barros. "We've advanced the technology and approach of the classic models along with bringing more of a practical and aviation-based offering to the membership app crowd."
This acquisition also makes Horizon Air Group one of the largest air charter organizations throughout the south central United States, now offering three major sales functions within the private aviation industry: Aircraft Management, Charter Brokerage, and Aircraft Sales and Acquisitions.
Source: company press release, company public information
All Starbase Jet charter aircraft are only available in the FlightList PRO multi-search platform which includes all 16,631 charter aircraft and 3,419 charter operators worldwide. 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.
By Alasdair Whyte, June 16, 2017, Corporate Jet InvestorPart 1 - An overview and brief history of XOJet touching on its strategic goals and fleet
Part 2 - The Six Principals of Owned Charter
Part 3The future for charterWith XOJET, his consultancy background and a place on the JetSmarter board, CEO Brad Stewart has a wide view of the US business aviation market. He also spends a lot of time thinking about it.
“There are three key themes at the moment,” says Stewart. “Private airlines like Surf Air or JetSuiteX offering fixed schedules; digital brokerage like JetSmarter, Victor and others; and plane sharing.”
He is not convinced all of them will necessarily succeed. “As a former consultant to United I know how tough the airline market is. Airlines have trouble making money when they cannot fill aircraft. It is much harder with five or six passengers and smaller aircraft,” says Stewart. “But we are not in this market so I don’t know how big it can become.”
Stewart is also unsure if selling individual seats on other routes will work.
“Plane sharing is still unknown.”
“Plane sharing is still unknown. It seems to work on some fixed routes but I am not sure how big this,” says Stewart. “But we are seeing JetSmarter and Wheels Up try it.”
Although he is watching new business models closely he does not see any direct competitors. “We operate in a very different market. Our customers are prepared to pay more for a whole aircraft and have customers with very different requirements,” says Stewart.
XOJet and its 41-aircraft fleet are included in both the Aircraft Search and the Floating Fleets sections of FlightList PRO's multi-search platform along with all 232 floating fleet aircraft and 14 operators. Free 30-day trials available here.
But he is convinced that digital brokers will shape the industry. “Digital brokerage is the idea that customers can push a button and get a jet. This is happening. This is a real thing. You have to have an app and online offering.”
JetSmarter announced what it called a strategic partnership with XOJET in 2016. JetSmarter favours XOJET aircraft when its customers charter mid-size aircraft and JetSmarter is developing an app for XOJET customers. Significant XOJET customers – ones spending more than $200,000 a year – also get free membership of JetSmarter.
Stewart is a member of JetSmarter’s board and believes that tech company is not understood by many in the market. “JetSmarter is first and foremost a digital story and secondly a plane story,’ he says. “JetSmarter is the undisputed leader in business aviation.
Private equity typically does not hold on for 10 years but Stewart says that XOJET’s investors and co-owners TPG and Mubadala are prepared to wait. “TPG is a wonderful investor,” he says. “We are responsible for getting a great return but there is no pressure for us to sell.” He is an adviser to TPG on aviation and points to its investment in TMC as its support for the sector.
“I am not the sort of person who is jealous of someone with a washboard stomach.
He laughs when asked if he is jealous of JetSmarter’s valuation. “I am not the sort of person who is jealous of someone with a washboard stomach. My parents taught me to be happy with what I have and I am very proud of XOJET.”
He adds: “It is fantastic being responsible for a whole enterprise. I wake up in the morning and go to run a $500 million business with thousands of clients who are interesting people. It is also satisfying seeing how the business has changed,” says Stewart, “and we have not reached our full potential yet.”
By Alasdair Whyte, Corporate Jet InvestorPart 3 of 3
Source: Alasdair Whyte, Corporate Jet Investor, 6/16/17
All 41 XOJet charter aircraft are available in the FlightList PRO multi-search platform which includes all 16,631 charter aircraft and 3,419 charter operators worldwide. 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.
By Alasdair Whyte, June 16, 2017, Corporate Jet Investor
Part 1 was an overview and brief history of XOJet touching on its strategic goals and fleet.
Part 2The six principles of owned charterThe majority of aircraft that are used for charter in the US are owned by individuals or companies that make them available when they do not need them. This means that most charter companies do not worry about ownership costs. XOJET is one of a relatively small number of charter operators that own aircraft.
Despite ownership costs, XOJET CEO Brad Stewart believes that there are benefits from an owned fleet. As a former management consultant, he has identified six principles that an owner-operator needs to be profitable. These are: a closed loop network; a floating fleet; high utilization; direct distribution to customers; dynamic pricing; and scale advantages. Although he highlights that these principles may not work for new aircraft.
XOJET meets all of these tests.
More than 80% of passengers on XOJET aircraft come from its own sales team, including its programs. The company says that it sold more than 950 programs in 2016. This program includes Preferred Access (for a refundable $100,000 deposit); Elite Access (guaranteeing availability at 12 hour notice for $200,000 deposit and $8,500 hourly fee including fees and surcharges); and an Enterprise Access for corporates.
In the last few years, XOJET has also added sales offices in New York and Los Angeles to boost its direct sales. It is also about to open a new office in Palm Beach, Florida. This is on top of its headquarters in San Francisco and an operations centre in Sacramento.
XOJet and its 41-aircraft fleet are included in the Floating Fleets section of FlightList PRO's multi-search platform along with all 232 floating fleet aircraft and 14 operators. Free 30-day trials available here.
Most of the 20% of passengers that it does not sell directly come from charter bookings made from broker Sentient Jet (part of Directional Capital) and JetSmarter – both XOJET preferred partners.
XOJET boosts its utilization by not basing aircraft at one airport and having just two types (this also saves on crew and maintenance costs).
He believes any owner-operator needs a minimum of 15 aircraft. XOJET now has a fleet of 41 super midsize aircraft (GMJ has another six). In January 2017 TPG also acquired TMC, which had been XOJET’s preferred travel provider for a number of years. TMC has another 55 aircraft. He does not plan to order any more aircraft for XOJET soon.
He has no plans to launch XOJET outside the US but he is keen to add aircraft management – something the company stopped focusing on in 2006.
“We have clients who are flying a lot and we can help advise them on the pros and cons of owning an aircraft versus program,” says Stewart. “We have a fantastic platform and can offer owners great service. And it fits into our advisory strength.”
He says that the company can launch management itself but is also interested in acquiring significant management companies.
By Alasdair Whyte, Corporate Jet InvestorPart 2 of 3
Source: Alasdair Whyte, Corporate Jet Investor, 6/16/17
All 41 XOJet charter aircraft are available in the FlightList PRO multi-search platform which includes all 16,631 charter aircraft and 3,419 charter operators worldwide. 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.
Air Charter Industry Intelligence and Marketing Solutions:
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.
Air Charter Broker Directory:
Free Charter Broker Directory used by private jet fliers. The largest listing of charter brokers for the U.S., Europe and worldwide. A free resource with charter broker details, ratings, accreditations, specialties and more. Go to the Air Charter Broker Directory.
Professional Aircraft Sourcing Platform:
Just $99/month-to-month. Request a free trial.
All 16,402 aircraft and 3,622 operators worldwide.
All 511 floating fleet aircraft from 48 operators.
FlightList PRO VERIFIED Economical, Professional and Independent Business Accreditation for Air Charter Brokerages. In the crowded airspace of air charter brokers, stand out to potential clients and industry partners as FlightList PRO VERIFIED, accredited as a reputable and experienced air charter service company. See more information here.
Seven years after selling his private jet service to Delta Air Lines, aviation entrepreneur Jim Segrave is "getting the band back together" in Kinston.
VistaJet officially launched VistaJet Direct, its new digital membership offering priority access to one-way and empty-leg flights at preferential rates.
For a $10,000 annual fee, VistaJet Direct members can request bookings on all available VistaJet aircraft before they are offered to the charter market, according to a release from the company.
Bookings via the VistaJet Direct smartphone app are guaranteed and come with all of the company’s typical services. Through the app’s geo-location feature, members can receive a push notification when a flight near them or from their favorite cities is available.
According to VistaJet, the app offers real-time fixed pricing and the entire booking process can be completed “in minutes.” Members can also request flights through the app, as well as order catering and arrange other ground services.
VistaJet released this statement from company Chairman and Founder, Thomas Flohr:
Recent additions are 8 operators and 61 floating fleet aircraft to the resource, a 53% growth in floating aircraft operators and 23% growth in floating aircraft availability. The resource is constantly updated.
A special user feature is the ability to select a number of floating fleet operators, and with one click request a flight quote or information.
Sizes and types of one-way priced jets available in the U.S. run the gamut from very light jets to long range intercontinental jets. The Floating Fleet resource includes 12 VLJ's, 44 light jets, 81 midsize jets, 51 super-midsize and 65 heavy and long range jets.
Recent additions are 8 operators and 61 floating fleet aircraft to the resource, a 53% growth in floating aircraft operators and 23% growth in floating aircraft availability. The resource is constantly updated.
A special user feature is the ability to select a number of floating fleet operators, and with one click request a flight quote or information.
Sizes and types of one-way priced jets available in the U.S. run the gamut from very light jets to long range intercontinental jets. The Floating Fleet resource includes 12 VLJ's, 44 light jets, 81 midsize jets, 51 super-midsize and 65 heavy and long range jets.
2014 Gulfstream 650ER
The two-year-old operator flyExclusive with its fast growing floating fleet has become a major player in the one-way pricing charter market nationwide.
Operating a defined fleet of seventeen jets, consisting of eleven midsize Citation Excels and six Citation CJ2 light jets, flyExclusive is included in both the Aircraft Search and the Floating Fleets sections of FlightList PRO's multi-search platform, along with all 14 floating fleet operators and 232 aircraft.
Founded in 2006, Latitude 33 Aviation manages the largest and newest fleet of light jets in the United States according to a company press release. Headquartered at KCRQ McClellan-Palomar Airport in Southern California, Latitude 33 Aviation is convenient to San Diego, Orange County, Los Angeles and surrounding areas.
Operating a total of fourteen aircraft for charter, Latitude 33 offers seven Citation CJ3 and CJ3+, and four other Citations; M2, CJ4, XLS and Sovereign. Rounding out the current fleet are a Phenom 100 and two Phenom 300's. All are manufacturing dates of 2005 or newer.
The fleet is based in Southern and Central California, the majority in the Los Angeles and San Diego area, including 9 at KCRQ Palomar Airport, Carlsbad, CA, a northern Suburb of San Diego.
Founded in 2006, Latitude 33 Aviation manages the largest and newest fleet of light jets in the United States according to a company press release. Headquartered at KCRQ McClellan-Palomar Airport in Southern California, Latitude 33 Aviation is convenient to San Diego, Orange County, Los Angeles and surrounding areas.
Operating a total of fourteen aircraft for charter, Latitude 33 offers seven Citation CJ3 and CJ3+, and four other Citations; M2, CJ4, XLS and Sovereign. Rounding out the current fleet are a Phenom 100 and two Phenom 300's. All are manufacturing dates of 2005 or newer.
The fleet is based in Southern and Central California, the majority in the Los Angeles and San Diego area, including 9 at KCRQ Palomar Airport, Carlsbad, CA, a northern Suburb of San Diego.
Horizon Air Group, a charter broker and aircraft sales/acquisition broker based in Dallas, TX, has announced the acquisition of World Class Jet dba Starbase Jet for undisclosed terms, including the air carrier certificate to be rebranded Horizon Jet Management.
Starbase Jet/World Class Jet was a holding of the Randall Reed Family of Companies headquartered in Addison, TX.
Horizon Air Group launched in May 2015 as Horizon Air Charter, with what it called the industry's first monthly Flight Equity pay-as-you-go jet card program. The founders of Horizon Air Group, Luis Barros and Robert Rosenberg, both have employment histories with Starbase Jet. More in 2015's Air Charter Alert, New Broker Offers Pay-As-You-Go Card And Consulting Services
The acquisition allows Horizon Air Group to not only assist clients with charter services and aircraft sales, but also FAA licensed aircraft operation through the Part 135 air carrier certificate, which is ARGUS Platinum rated, Wyvern Registered, IS-BAO Registered, and has worldwide operating authority.
Horizon Air Group, a charter broker and aircraft sales/acquisition broker based in Dallas, TX, has announced the acquisition of World Class Jet dba Starbase Jet for undisclosed terms, including the air carrier certificate to be rebranded Horizon Jet Management.
Starbase Jet/World Class Jet was a holding of the Randall Reed Family of Companies headquartered in Addison, TX.
Horizon Air Group launched in May 2015 as Horizon Air Charter, with what it called the industry's first monthly Flight Equity pay-as-you-go jet card program. The founders of Horizon Air Group, Luis Barros and Robert Rosenberg, both have employment histories with Starbase Jet. More in 2015's Air Charter Alert, New Broker Offers Pay-As-You-Go Card And Consulting Services
The acquisition allows Horizon Air Group to not only assist clients with charter services and aircraft sales, but also FAA licensed aircraft operation through the Part 135 air carrier certificate, which is ARGUS Platinum rated, Wyvern Registered, IS-BAO Registered, and has worldwide operating authority.
With XOJET, his consultancy background and a place on the JetSmarter board, CEO Brad Stewart has a wide view of the US business aviation market. He also spends a lot of time thinking about it.
“There are three key themes at the moment,” says Stewart. “Private airlines like Surf Air or JetSuiteX offering fixed schedules; digital brokerage like JetSmarter, Victor and others; and plane sharing.”
He is not convinced all of them will necessarily succeed. “As a former consultant to United I know how tough the airline market is. Airlines have trouble making money when they cannot fill aircraft. It is much harder with five or six passengers and smaller aircraft,” says Stewart. “But we are not in this market so I don’t know how big it can become.”
Stewart is also unsure if selling individual seats on other routes will work.
The majority of aircraft that are used for charter in the US are owned by individuals or companies that make them available when they do not need them. This means that most charter companies do not worry about ownership costs. XOJET is one of a relatively small number of charter operators that own aircraft.
Despite ownership costs, XOJET CEO Brad Stewart believes that there are benefits from an owned fleet. As a former management consultant, he has identified six principles that an owner-operator needs to be profitable. These are: a closed loop network; a floating fleet; high utilization; direct distribution to customers; dynamic pricing; and scale advantages. Although he highlights that these principles may not work for new aircraft.
XOJET meets all of these tests.
More than 80% of passengers on XOJET aircraft come from its own sales team, including its programs. The company says that it sold more than 950 programs in 2016. This program includes Preferred Access (for a refundable $100,000 deposit); Elite Access (guaranteeing availability at 12 hour notice for $200,000 deposit and $8,500 hourly fee including fees and surcharges); and an Enterprise Access for corporates.
In the last few years, XOJET has also added sales offices in New York and Los Angeles to boost its direct sales. It is also about to open a new office in Palm Beach, Florida. This is on top of its headquarters in San Francisco and an operations centre in Sacramento.