Private Jet Charter News

Even taking a Private Jet to Super Bowl XLIII can present travel challenges.  With over 1000 Gulfstreams, Hawkers, and Beechjets expected to descend upon the Tampa area parking and ramp space at Tampa International Airport will go fast.  Luckily, there are other options.  Within a 40 mile radius, there are 4 other airports with runways suitable for private aircraft. Airports such as St Petersburg/Clearwater Airport, Vandenberg Aiport, Hernando County Airport, or even Lakeland Linder Airport will help alleviate some of the traffic and congestion.

By using the smaller feeder airports, you can eliminate most of the delays associated with the massive amounts of aircraft all trying to depart TIA at the same time. With departure delays of up to 6hrs after Super Bowl XLII, the 45 minute drive to Lakeland might not seem so bad, after all.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J64Qf3np5XA]

As reported on CNN.com

An armed man, described as “mentally challenged,” took six crew members hostage after he barged onto a passenger jet at a Jamaican airport Monday and demanded to be flown to Cuba.  [caption id=“attachment_278” align=“alignright” width=“219” caption=“Hostage-taker commandeered a CanJet flight in Montego Bay, Jamaica”][/caption]A hostage-taker commandeered a CanJet flight at Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, Jamaica.  The gunman, believed to be in his early 20s, released all passengers and two members of the crew from the CanJet plane but negotiations continued Monday morning at Sangster International Airport in the resort city of Montego Bay to secure the remaining crew members’ release.“The hijacking is that from a mentally challenged youngster and not anything that would be of concern in terms of an international incident,” said Jamaica’s Information Minister Daryl Vaz.

“His demand was to go to Cuba,” he said.  CanJet Airlines flight 918 was carrying 174 passengers and eight crew members, said Kent Woodside, the airline’s vice president. All the passengers are Canadian, he said.  The Boeing 737 flew in from Halifax, Canada, and had made a scheduled landing at Montego Bay, when the armed man boarded the plane late Sunday, the airline said. It was scheduled to continue on to Santa Clara, Cuba.  The gunman fired a shot in the boarding bridge to the plane as he entered, Woodside said.  He then took an undisclosed number of passengers and crew members hostage, said Elizabeth Scotton, a spokeswoman for the company that manages the airport.

***This episode, certainly unsettling to the passengers, serves as a reminder of a key advantage of flying privately.  Namely, the inherent security of knowing that everyone on board the aircraft has been checked against the TSA’s No-Fly list and that you will personally know each person with whom you are flying.  Additionally, when it comes to safely evacuating an area due to any political or social unrest or idustrial/natural disaster use of a Gulfstream or Hawker jet can become a case of life or death.  With emergency evacuation procedures in place, your employees or loved ones can be free from danger with as little as 4 hours notice. 

from NBAA - No Plane No Gain campaign:

The people and companies that rely on Private Air Charter know that utilizing a private jet is a valuable strategic choice, particularly in an unforgiving economic and political climate.  However, those outside of the business aviation community are often unaware of the benefits that chartering a private jet can provide.  When reviewing your air travel choices, use this checklist to see why using private jet charter is the best option for your mission.

 This flight absolutely cannot be canceled or delayed significantly.
 The destination is not easily served by commercial airline service.
 Need the ability to work and communicate aboard the flight.
 Proprietary information will be discussed aboard the flight.
 Need the ability to visit several cities in one day.
 Need the flexibility to allow for changes in the itinerary.
 Carrying specialized parts/equipment

If you’ve found yourself agreeing with these statements, you will want to investigate chartering a private jet for your travel needs.  In many cases, particularly with several passengers going to the same destination, a private aircraft can be as cost-effective as utilizing commercial airlines.

As recently reported, Teterboro Airport, will be closed for runway repairs in July. The rehabilitation of Runway 6/24 will cause the complete closure of the airport to all fixed-wing aircraft (I.E. Private Jets!) as per the following schedule taken from the FAA Website:

FRIDAY, JULY 10, 2009 through SUNDAY, JULY 12, 2009:
Runway 1/19 and Runway 6/24 closed from 2300L 7/10/09 (0300Z 7/11/09) to 1100L 7/12/09 (1500Z). AIRPORT CLOSED TO FIXED WING TRAFFIC DURING THIS TIME.

FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2009 through SUNDAY, JULY 19, 2009:
Runway 1/19 and Runway 6/24 closed from 2300L 7/17/09 (0300Z 7/18/09) to 1100L 7/19/09 (1500Z 7/19/09). AIRPORT CLOSED TO FIXED WING TRAFFIC DURING THIS TIME

All aircraft (except helicopters) heading to the NY Metro area must make use of other local airports such as Westchester Airport, Morristown Airport, Essex County Airport, and Ridgefield Park Airport.  Don’t forget, private jets are also welcome to use Newark, LaGuardia, and JFK airports as well.  While Teterboro’s closure will cause some headaches, proper planning and foresight will keep the delays and inconveniences to a minimum.

Check out some private jets that are available as one-way charter flights. Many can be combined to create complete round-trip travel.

The following private jets are available as one-way charter flights. Many can be combined to create complete round-trip travel. With over 10 years of experience as a private jet charter agency, Executive Charter Services has the reputation for excellence and safety that you demand. For pricing and other company information, please visit http://www.execcharter.com/ or feel free to contact me personally at 866.359.3932.

- Kevin W. Godlewski. President

* indicates AirPool availability

The premier event for business aviation, NBAA’s Annual Meeting & Convention brings the business aviation world together each year.

The premier event for business aviation, NBAA’s Annual Meeting & Convention brings the business aviation world together each year. NBAA2009 will be held from October 20 to 22 in Orlando, FL, at the Orange County Convention Center, with a static display of more than 125 aircraft at Orlando Executive Airport. Over 30,000 representatives from every segment of the business aviation industry, from 82 countries around the world, will be present at this one-of-a-kind event.  You can expect to see NetJets, Marquis jet, Sentient, as well as Gulfstream, Hawker-Beechcraft, and Cessna all displaying their wares.

NBAA09 is especially important due to the economic and political climate private aviation has found itself in over the last 12-18 months.  With private aircraft singled out by congress and shareholders as extravagant wastes many corporate flight departments are fighting for their lives.  A main goal of the convention will be to help change public opinion regarding these essential business tools from being labeled as “private jets” to the more applicable and politically-correct “business jet”.

I will be attending the conference and will provide an insider’s perspective into the show and the “state of the union” for general aviation.  Follow me on Twitter (bizjetkev) for special coverage and offers during the convention.