Private Jet Charter News

Richard Santulli, chairman and CEO of NetJets Inc., announced late last week that he is stepping down from the private jet company controlled by investor Warren Buffett.

Richard Santulli, chairman and CEO of NetJets Inc., announced late last week that he is stepping down from the private jet company controlled by investor Warren Buffett. “After 25 yeas of working with the most talented group of people I could ever have imagined, who helped build the premier aviation company in the world, I have decided to step down as chairman and CEO of NetJets immediately, in order to spend some more time with my young family and pursue other interests,” Santulli said in a statement.
NetJets had become popular with Wall Street and corporate executives as well as athletes such as tennis star Roger Federer, who has been a spokesman for the company. The company had posted growing revenue for many years, until recently, but often struggled to turn a profit. Berkshire said revenues from flight operations at NetJets had increased by 596% since its purchase, although “profits had been erratic.“The company’s business was hit hard by the recent recession. In its 2008 annual report, Berkshire said NetJets “experienced significant reduction in revenue as general economic conditions worsened.”

Buffett said he had accepted Santulli’s resignation “with reluctance.” He named David Sokol, a close associate considered a possible successor to Buffett at Omaha-based Berkshire Hathaway, as an interim replacement for Santulli. Santulli will stay on as a consultant for at least 12 months to assist in the transition, he said.

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.

Emivest also announced the first flight last Friday of the SJ30 scheduled for delivery this fall to actor Morgan Freeman.

Emivest also announced the first flight last Friday of the SJ30 scheduled for delivery this fall to actor Morgan Freeman.  The SJ30 built by Emivest (originally Sino Swearingen) is a new breed of light jet capable of nonstop travel between New York and Los Angeles, the first light jet capable of doing so. 

The aircraft, S/N 010, was flown by Emivest production pilot Bryan Dennison and chief test pilot John Siemens, and is to enter Jet Works Air Center for completion within the next week. Freeman’s SJ30 installation will include a SelCal high-frequency radio package, Garmin 500 avionics with XM weather and an entertainment package that includes XM radio.  And, with the capability of providing sea-level pressure at 41,000’ passengers will arrive fresher and more energized than comparable light jets.

VP of Marketing & Sales Mark Fairchild commented: “We are looking forward to delivering the aircraft to Mr. Freeman, and thus help him in checking his SJ30 purchase off his bucket list.”

NHL Impacted by Fight Between USDOT and CTA

The punches are flying already and the season hasn’t even started yet.  Last week Air Canada Jetz charter service, which has contracts. with 7 pro sports teams, filed a lawsuit to block enforcement of a USDOT order that Air Canada cancel its season-long contract.

The underlying problem is that Air Canada has been contracted to fly Canadian sports teams between cities in the United States without first returning to Canada.  This would be a violation of Cabotage, the commonly used moniker defining the law and treaty that prohibits foreign airlines from picking up passengers in the U.S. and flying them between U.S. destinations.  An example would be Air Canada flying their jet to Boston to pick up the Red Sox then flying to New York for series against the Yankees, then flying the Sox back to Boston.  Similarly, U.S. airlines are banned from doing the same in foreign countries.  The rules are designed to ensure that U.S. flights are flown by U.S. carriers.  So, the USDOT issued an order for Air Canada to cancel some of its contracts.

The Canadian Transportation Agency retaliated by banning flights by U.S. carriers that require multiple stops within Canada forcing a U.S. charter carrier, owning contracts with 10 NHL teams this season, to arrange for a Canadian charter to make intra-Canada flights last weekend for the Florida Panthers, rather than carry the NHL team itself.

The interesting thing about this fracas is that for years, the USDOT has allowed Canadian carriers to fly sports teams on intra-U.S. flights if the teams ultimately would return to Canada. The entire season of flights was considered one charter with the final destination being a city in Canada.  And, U.S. airlines ferrying American teams were permitted to fly within Canada.  So, everyone was happy.
 
But then the Air Line Pilots Association union, two U.S. aviation trade groups and a U.S. charter carrier began calling for a penalty last year because Air Canada won DOT-approved contracts to fly two American sports teams - the NHL’s Bruins and the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks. The pilots want to ensure that U.S. flights are operated by U.S. pilots. In an order to Air Canada’s Washington lawyer, the USDOT said it had discovered that the airline previously carried individuals on Bruins and Bucks charters who were transported solely within the U.S. and never carried across the border during the season, contrary to the DOT’s agreement with the airline and issued the stop order.

As a fan of NHL Hockey (and my Philadelphia Flyers!), and having been in the position of having to deal with Cabotage regularly for the charters we arrange, I am disappointed that this argument has gotten this far.  Many NHL teams are struggling financially.  Small market cites, small fan base, poor TV ratings and revenues all conspire to place financial handcuffs on teams.  Having to now deal with a major travel disruption on the eve of the season will most likely cause irreparable damage to at least one team.  We’ll keep an eye on this and update as things develop.

NHL Season Suffers No Disruptions

US and Canada Settle Air Dispute

Following a meeting with President Barack Obama at the White House, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced an agreement in principal that would allow Air Canada Jetz to honor its contracts.  Until this meeting it looked as though 6 major sports teams in Canada would have to find alternative transportation while in the states as the USDOT was preventing them from flying to consecutive cites in the US without first returning to Canada.  While few details have been made public, the airline is now allowed to fly teams to their scheduled cities, and vice-versa for U.S. based operators flying team within Canada. 

I guess each government got five for fighting and then went back to business.

Another Online Charter Agency Fails

In a classic example of the failure of the “One Size Fits All” philosophy, Virgin Charter has ceased active operations.  According to a company statement, “…due to the severe decline in corporate travel, Virgin Charter was unable to generate sufficient sales to underpin its business plan and has taken the difficult decision to close its doors.”

Richard Branson’s Virgin USA launched Virgin Charter in mid-2007.  Their model allowed charter users to make all arrangements via Virgins Web Site.  The business model was to charter aircraft owners/operators a fee based on a percentage of sales, but the buyer did not pay to use Virgin Charter
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We’ve recently seen the demise of two of the larger names in the charter business, Jets.com (formerly Charter Auction) and now Virgin.  Market conditions are certainly a major factor in the nationwide slowdown for charter agents and operators; however the business model that loudly proclaims to allow users to book charter jet solely online misses the point of private aviation.
 
Anyone can cruise the web to find accurate pricing for a private jet charter from New York to Aspen or Menlo Park to Las Vegas, but few will ultimately click to purchase an item with a $20,000 ticket price. The consumer wants to know details and speak to someone knowledgeable that can act as a consultant for him.  The online booking model works great for the airlines, because it’s all about filling seats, flying profitable routes at maximum capacity, rigid timelines and schedules, and keeping costs at an absolute minimum, while minimizing consumer flexibility.

Private aviation is different, and we should embrace that difference, not try to turn flying by chartered jet into a JetBlue experience.  This business is about providing personal relationships, flexibility, safety, security, and industry knowledge to those fortunate individuals who are in a position to consider a private jet alternative for their travel.  As the owner of a boutique private jet charter agency, I am saddened to learn of the demise of Virgin Charter, but at the same time – you can’t make consumers conform to your business model.  After all, if anyone could have made online private jet charter successful, Virgin’s and Branson’s reputation and brand-name recognition should have made them the one.

2010 Shines Hope On Private Jet Travel

The holidays are over, and 2010 has arrived. With the coming of the New Year optimism and cheerful outlooks abound.  While the charter jet industry is still smarting from the PR punishment it took in 2009, some significant signs point to a much better 2010 and 2011.

The economy seems to be stabilizing after a very tumultuous year of highs and lows.  While it is not back to pre-2008-burst levels, at the moment it appears to have settled down quite a bit.  Travel budgets can be planned, staffing levels have stabilized, and corporate travel is increasing again.  Let’s face it, sales still have to be made, and clients still need to be visited – and there is no more efficient way to do that than aboard a private jet.CASE STUDY

Private air travel has been on the uptick month over month since June 2009 and all indications point to a continuance of that trend in 2010.  As we move further into the year some in the industry project flight levels and private jet demand to rebound significantly.

Let’s not forget the leisure factor as record cold temperatures settle in across most of the US.  Many clients prefer the ease and simplicity of travel via private jet charter as opposed to the odious and often delayed/cancelled commercial flights during the winter travel season.  There are few security hassles simply because you know everyone on your plane.  Imagine how easy and pleasant flying would be when you are able to pull up next to your plane, flash a photo ID, board and depart within 5 minutes.  Certainly, taking a private jet on the family trip to Disney, Aspen, The Superbowl, or the Olympic Winter Games is going to be more expensive that commercial travel, but sometime you just can’t put a price on quality time with your family.
 
And that is precisely what private aviation is all about – diminishing unproductive and wasteful time at commercial airports and aboard airliners, while increasing productivity and quality time in the air. 

Special Rates on Popular Destinations

The following 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 charter agency, Executive Charter Services has the reputation for excellence and safety that you demand. For pricing and other company information, please visit our website or feel free to contact me personally at 866.359.3932.
Kevin W. Godlewski, President

Perfect for PGA, NCAA Final Four, or MLB Spring Training

The following 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 charter agency, Executive Charter Services has the reputation for excellence and safety that you demand.  For pricing and other company information, please visit our website or feel free to contact me personally at 866.359.3932.
Kevin W. Godlewski, President

Charging fees for carry-on baggage newest revenue scheme

Spirit Airlines, one of the first airlines to charge for checked baggage has again shifted the paradigm with a new policy that charges passengers for carry-on baggage.  Spirit calls itself an ultra-low cost airline, but this move screams of desperation and ultra-low class.  Spirit states that fliers are carrying more bags aboard and cramming more into those bags in an attempt to sidestep checked baggage fees.  The result of which is delayed boarding and departure times, jammed overhead storage areas, and short tempers.  Spirit hopes that the carry-on baggage fees will limit the amount of overhead baggage and reduce boarding time leading to better on-time performance, addressing a problem of their own creation, ironically, when checked baggage fees appeared.  Spirit’s Chief Operating Officer Ken McKenzie offered this limp explanation: “In addition to lowering fares even further, this will reduce the number of carry-on bags, which will improve inflight safety and efficiency by speeding up the boarding and deplaning process, all of which ultimately improve the overall customer experience. Bring less; pay less. It’s simple.”

In other words, Spirit is now charging you an extra fee to leave on time.

Thousands of airline flights cancelled due to dangerous ash plume

Earlier this week a volcano under an Icelandic Glacier erupted and spewed thousands of tons of ash into the atmosphere causing the cancellations of thousands of flights across the globe.  Currently all airspace in Great Britain Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Lithuania, Estonia, and the Netherlands, is completely closed to all aircraft while airspace was partially closed in France, Germany, Poland, Sweden, Norway, and Ireland.  US airlines are cancelling flights to/from Europe stranding thousands of passengers. It is simply too dangerous to fly.

Volcanic ash clouds are a serious hazard to aviation, reducing visibility, damaging flight controls and ultimately causing jet engines to fail.  Encounters between aircraft and volcanic ash can happen because ash clouds are difficult to distinguish from ordinary clouds, both visually and on radar, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.  Ash clouds can also drift great distances from their source. The eruption in Iceland sent a huge plume of ash moving across the Atlantic, disrupting air traffic across Western Europe.

According to Boeing, flying through an ash cloud should be avoided by all means. The aircraft manufacturer says experience has shown costly damage can occur to aircraft surfaces, windshields and power plants, while ventilation, hydraulic, electronic and air data systems can also be contaminated. Critically, it says the ingestion of volcanic ash by engines may cause serious deterioration of engine performance due to erosion of moving parts and partial or complete blocking of fuel nozzles.  One former pilot said, “it’s like throwing a bucket of beach sand into the engine”.  But it is actually much worse, while the sand would pit and gouge the critically balanced surfaces of a high performance jet engine, eventually the sand would work its way through the system.  But the ash is much more insidious.  Volcanic ash contains particles, whose melting point is below that of an engine’s internal temperature. During flight these particles will immediately melt if they go through an engine. Going through the turbine, the melted materials rapidly cool down, stick on the turbine vanes, and disturb the flow of high-pressure combustion gases.  In the worst case this disorder of the flow may completely stall the engine, causing a complete shutdown of not only the propulsion systems, but electrical, environmental, and oxygen/pressurization systems.

Many NY-FL, FL-NY One-Way Flights Available, Check Back Often!

The following 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 charter agency, Executive Charter Services has the reputation for excellence and safety that you demand.  For pricing and other company information, please visit our website or feel free to contact me personally at 866.359.3932.
Kevin W. Godlewski, President

New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Bahamas, London, & More One-Way Destinations

The following 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 charter agency, Executive Charter Services has the reputation for excellence and safety that you demand.  For pricing and other company information, please visit our website or feel free to contact me personally at 866.359.3932.
Kevin W. Godlewski, President

Start Planning Your Holiday Vacation, Check Back Frequently For Great Deals On One-Way Flights to FL, CO, Caribbean, & Mexico

The following 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 charter agency, Executive Charter Services has the reputation for excellence and safety that you demand.  For pricing and other company information, please visit our website or feel free to contact me personally at 866.359.3932.
Kevin W. Godlewski, President

Plan For The Holidays!  Great US & Caribbean One-Ways!

The following jets are available as one-way charter flights. Many can be combined to create complete round-trip travel. Plan your family holiday travel now and check out the deals below.  Specials from New York, Los Angeles, San Jose, San Francisco, Chicago, Bahamas, and London.  With over 10 years of experience as a private charter agency, Executive Charter Services has the reputation for excellence and safety that you demand.  For pricing and other company information, please visit our website or feel free to contact me personally at 866.359.3932.
Kevin W. Godlewski, President

Integrated application allows passengers to control cabin systems from their iPhone.

Gulfstream Aerospace recently announced that all cabin equipment aboard the Gulfstream G650 can be controlled via an intergrated iPhone app.

The Gulfstream Cabin Management System includes digital control through an Apple iPod Touch, iPhone or iPad. Gulfstream developed an app that enables passengers to control lighting, temperature, speakers, monitors, entertainment equipment, window shades, the CabinView system and attendant call. According to Gulfstream the desire for passenger control of cabin systems was a recurring theme in desgin of the new G650.

Not too late to jetaway for Thanksgivinig.  More holiday specials for ski bums and snow birds

The following jets are available as one-way charter flights. Many can be combined to create complete round-trip travel. Plan your family holiday travel now and check out the deals below.  Specials from New York, Los Angeles, San Jose, San Francisco, Chicago, Bahamas, and London.  With over 10 years of experience as a private charter agency, Executive Charter Services has the reputation for excellence and safety that you demand.  For pricing and other company information, please visit our website or feel free to contact me personally at 866.359.3932.
Kevin W. Godlewski, President

The holiday season is in full swing.  Don’t forget to check back frequently to see what kind of gifts Santa has for your stocking!

The following jets are available as one-way charter flights. Many can be combined to create complete round-trip travel. Plan your family holiday travel now and check out the deals below.  Specials from New York, Los Angeles, San Jose, San Francisco, Chicago, Bahamas, and London.  With over 10 years of experience as a private charter agency, Executive Charter Services has the reputation for excellence and safety that you demand.  For pricing and other company information, please visit our website or feel free to contact me personally at 866.359.3932.
Kevin W. Godlewski, President

Many jets available for Christmas and New Years travel.

The following jets are available as one-way charter flights. Many can be combined to create complete round-trip travel. Plan your family holiday travel now and check out the deals below.  Specials from New York, Los Angeles, San Jose, San Francisco, Chicago, Bahamas, and London.  With over 10 years of experience as a private charter agency, Executive Charter Services has the reputation for excellence and safety that you demand.  For pricing and other company information, please visit our website or feel free to contact me personally at 866.359.3932.
Kevin W. Godlewski, President

Night Flight to Boston Leaves Good Impression

Last week, I had the opportunity to take an Eclipse 500 private jet flight from Hanscom Airport in Bedford, MA to Boston Logan Airport. While the flight was very short, it did finally, give me an up-close, first-hand, in-flight experience aboard an Eclipse 500.

Bedford Hanscom Airport is located approximately 20 miles from the Financial District in Boston, which is either a 20 minute drive or an hour and 20 minutes, depending on the time of day.  It is a smaller regional airport with no commercial airline activity, so any weather-related delays are minimized with only corporate and private traffic to deal with.  It is also the home for the Air Force’s 66th Air Base Group.  The car service, this time Boston Coach, dropped me off at the front door to Signature BED where I quickly checked in with the receptionist who directed me to the waiting aircrew for our night flight to Boston.  The Signature facility at Bedford is a bit smallish; however it is quite comfortably appointed and expertly staffed.  I’ve been there several times to meet clients either arriving or departing, and have always been impressed with how professional and helpful the staff has been; kudos to Signature there.  I also had a chance meeting with an old college friend who works for Airport Operations with Hanscom Airport.  He was kind enough to escort me around the ramp while I shot some video of the jet’s arrival earlier in the day.
Boston Logan International Airport, on the other hand, is a much larger and more complex facility.  Hundreds of commercial flights plus scores of private aircraft operate daily in its airspace.  The Signature facility is located at the northernmost edge of the airport property, which depending up on the runway in use can lead to lengthy departure/arrival taxi times. The lounge is quite a bit larger than BED’s facility, and a bit more nicely appointed.  Signature BOS also has an X-ray belt staffed by TSA employees as seen in the commercial terminals.  State Police troopers were also present providing over-watch security.  The indoor staff and ground personnel again showed amazing professionalism and attention to detail.  All areas of the facility were spotless and everyone seemed truly pleased to be at our service.

You may remember hearing the hubbub a couple of years ago about a new class of aircraft known as VLJs (for Very Light Jets) and their anticipated impact on the air-taxi industry.  While the timing of their arrival to the market (just before the financial market plunge in 2008 and subsequent black eye given to private aviation by congress) was unfortunate, their capabilities are proven and real.  The Eclipse is just one of these VLJs (Embraer Phenom and Citation Mustang are others) and after having ridden along on a very short flight I can assure you that the classification is right on the money.
 
With an interior cabin length and a cross-section approximating that of a mid-sized SUV, the passenger capacity is limited to 2-3.  In this particular case it was just me, and although the jet can be legally flown by one, there were two pilots.  After brief introductions to the crew at which time they checked my photo ID, I was escorted to the jet, where I quickly boarded while the crew finished the last second checks, started engines, and began to taxi.  On the way to the runway, I took a few moments to really look around the cabin – it didn’t take long!  Two of the passengers seats were removed leaving the two rearmost, one of which I occupied.  The interior was sparse, but tastefully appointed with leather seating, overhead lighting and air controls, and good sized windows, which gave the jet a larger feel.  With the two forward seats absent, I had all the legroom I could want.  The all-glass cockpit was really something to see especially in the dark of night.  Quite complex, yet thoughtfully laid out.  After a brief taxi-out at BED past much larger aircraft, we were cleared for departure.  With just the three of us, the jet quite literally leaped into the sky within what seemed like a very short runway length.  In fact this jet regularly operates from KLOM, Wings Field, in Philadelphia which is just 3700’ long.  We were vectored out west away from the city to join the trail of aircraft heading to BOS.  After about 10 minutes we were flying back east, in line, and making the approach past the Boston skyline.  Ambient noise from the jet engines was a bit loud, but certainly not uncomfortable. For a small jet, it had surprising stability during the decent through swirling winds and a 10 knot crosswind.  The approach and landing was quite smooth, with good visibility for the passengers through the front windscreen until touchdown.
 
Overall, I would highly recommend this aircraft for very short-range missions.  Charters in which you are not travelling more than 300 miles such as Boston to New York or New York to Washington, DC, with one or maybe two others, would be the best scenario.  Anything more than that and the aircraft lacks the performance to adequately measure up.  But for those regional day-trips where jet speed and the ability to get into a ridiculously short airport is essential, the Eclipse is the perfect aircraft for the job!

Many thanks to BlueBell Air for the opportunity to fly along, and to Dan and Bruce for their time and professionalism.