Private Jet Charter News

Here is a listing of this week’s one-ways.  Notice that we have JetPool aircraft heading to NBA and NHL playoff cities.  Contact us today for more info!

In a rush to report a story about the sinful wasting of American Taxpayers money, one local news station erroneously reported that several banks who are recipeients of bailout money flew their high priced toys to the Masters Tournament.  Shame on them for not getting the whole story before adding fuel to this already out of control fire.  Hopefully, the lesson has been learned; no matter how good the soundbite is, it means nothing unless it can be backed up by accurate facts.  Too bad News 12 wasn’t as public with their “apology” as with the damning story to begin with.

from http://www.wrdw.com (News12)
AUGUSTA—-Last week, News 12 brought you the story of several jets that flew into the Augusta area during Masters Week that are owned by some banks that have been in the headlines lately. News 12 has since learned that while the jets are owned by the Wachovia and Bank of America, they are not operated by them. We have been told the banks have no input on where the planes fly or when.

The banks provided loan money to private individuals to buy the planes, but they are not paid off yet and thus, they are still owned by the banks. It is not much different than a mortgage or car loan. You live in the house or drive the car, but the bank still technically is the owner until you pay off the balance.

[caption id=“attachment_363” align=“alignright” width=“150” caption=“Construction Planned at Teterboro Airport”][/caption]Recently, I talked about potential hiccups to your jet charter travel this summer.  One issue we heard about several months ago, but is rapidly approaching is the pending runway construction at Teterboro Airport. 

Teterboro Airport is planning a major reconstruction of runway 6/24 in the next few weeks..  The rehabilitation will require airport closures for all private jets and turboprops for three weekends, as well as five nighttime closures from 11:00pm to 6:00am.  The scheduled dates are currently July 10-12, and July 17-19, as well as a 24 hour closure to be announced.

Fortunately, there are other options for New Yorkers.  Westchester Airport, Morristown Airport, Essex County Airport, Ridgefield Park Airport are all within a 45 minute drive of New York City.  Don’t forget, private jets are also welcome to use Newark, LaGuardia, and JFK airports as well.  Executive Charter Services will be watching the situation closely and will provide updates as necessary, so before you plan your next trip to Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, or the Hamptons, check back for news.

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 glamour has long faded from the job of a flight attendant, but the occupation still captures the imagination of a public fascinated by the constant travel and work above the clouds.

Excerpt from CNN.com

The glamour has long faded from the job of a flight attendant, but the occupation still captures the imagination of a public fascinated by the constant travel and work above the clouds.

“When my mom was a stewardess in the 1950s, they wore white gloves and they learned to serve lobster thermidor table-side,” said Rene Foss, a flight attendant for 25 years and the spokeswoman for the Association of Flight Attendants.

“Instead of wearing white gloves, I’m wearing rubber gloves; and instead of learning to serve lobster thermidor, I’m learning to put handcuffs on passengers.”

—-Thats just about all that needs to be said about today’s “Airline Experience” doesn’t it?

After a months long free fall, it feels like the business jet market is starting to stabilize, said Jack Pelton, head of Cessna Aircraft.

As reported by Molly McMillan for CharterX

After a months long free fall, it feels like the business jet market is starting to stabilize, said Jack Pelton, head of Cessna Aircraft.

“At some point there, we’ll be able to call the bottom,” Pelton, the company’s chairman, president and CEO, said of the drop in the market. “The negatives, like (order) cancellations are slowing down; we’re starting to see orders start to rise again.”

Aircraft deliveries are expected to hit their low next year, which will be followed by a steady climb, he said.

“The slope of that rise will be dependent on what the economy does,” he said.

Pelton’s boss, meanwhile, said Cessna’s parent company is not interested in selling the Wichita company.

“I don’t know where all the rumors come from,” said Scott Donnelly, president and chief operating officer of Textron. “I think I can be clear that no one is interested in any way, shape or form in divesting Cessna out of Textron. It’s a central asset of what Textron is.”

Pelton spoke last week in a broad-ranging interview on the eve of the world’s largest gathering of general aviation airplanes and airplane buffs at AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wis.

Cessna has cut half of its work force — about 8,200 people — since November. The company has had to cut production, and employees, as order cancellations and deferrals have stacked up during the economic downturn.

The layoffs include last month’s announcement of 1,300 cuts, including 500 employees who will receive 60-day notices by mid-August. Those cuts, Pelton said, will put Cessna at the right employment level for 2010’s planned lower production rates.

Pelton said he also has heard the rumors about Textron looking for buyers for Cessna.

“I work closely with the Textron board of directors,” he said. “I’ve never felt better than knowing in this difficult time, they are really committed to Cessna.”

Donnelly said there is no question Cessna and the entire general aviation industry are going through a tough time.

“We’ll come out of this an even stronger company,” he said. “We have a great brand, a great franchise and one, I know, will drive a lot of value going forward.”

Even in a business that is as cyclical as general aviation, Pelton said watching the business jet market continue to deteriorate has been difficult.

“When we saw the indicators continue to deteriorate past what we saw in the last recessionary period ... it became very clear we were in uncharted territory with circumstances that we’ve never seen in the past,” Pelton said. “That was very startling.”

Pelton said downturn has been a personally distressing time, forcing the company to dismantle what employees have built over the past five years. 

“Every time we have to reduce production and lay people off, it is a recurring nightmare,” he said. “I’ve had more of those days than I would ever like to relieve in my life again.”

Pelton also touched on a variety of other topics:

He said the biggest surprise of the downturn has been the amount of negativity and stigma surrounding the use of business jets.

Leaders of the Big Three automakers were criticized by members of Congress when they arrived on private jets to ask for a federal bailout. Early legislation, later changed, would have required companies receiving federal bailout funds to divest their corporate aircraft fleet or their jet leases.

It’s been a “constant haranguing — almost as if you’re involved in something that’s evil,’’ Pelton said. “It hasn’t stopped.”

Earlier this year, Cessna Aircraft unveiled an ad campaign to showcase the value of business aviation.

The company may have canceled the long-range, large Citation Columbus program, but long-term, the fundamentals for the aircraft remain.

Last year, the state, county and city approved more than $70 million in cash assistance and tax breaks to entice Cessna to develop the new jet in Wichita. The project was to have created 1,000 jobs with an annual payroll of $74 million. Cessna returned $10 million to the city and Sedgwick County earlier this month.

As reported by Molly McMillan for CharterX “We have an enormously faithful group of installed customers that are flying everything from 172s to Citation Xs,” Pelton said. “Long term, we’ll need to have products that will satisfy their needs as they grow and expand.”

Cessna continues to make significant investments in new product development in the light and medium planes, he said.

None will be announced, though, until the market improves, Pelton said. 

“If we were to go out today and hold a major press conference… everybody would say, ‘That’s great! I’ll call you when things get better.”

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.

Airline Creates All-Business London/New York Service

BA1 lifted off from London City Airport today beginning that airline’s attempt to create a successful all-luxury airline service between London and New York.  Sounds vaguely familiar?  That’s because several other airlines have tried, and failed, to create the same service.  Eos, MAXjet, and Silverjet all served the luxury market for a short time during great economic prosperity before ultimately failing. Why does BA think it will be any more successful now when the world economy is sputtering and they themselves are planning to cut routes and ground 9% of their fleet this winter due to “declining advanced bookings”?
 
I see several shortcomings with their service.  First, choosing the Airbus A318, an aircraft that does not possess the range for transoceanic flights (East to West, against the prevailing headwinds) seems a dubious way to start off.  BA sugarcoats this by departing from London City Airport, which will allow very short check-in and boarding times, but has a short runway “forcing a stop in Shannon, Ireland for fuel and to clear customs.”  To be clear, it is not just the short runway at London City causing a needed stop - the A318 simply cannot fly the distance without refueling.  Next, and to me, the elephant in the room is the fact that BA is attempting to supply a private aviation product aboard a commercial airliner, flown by a commercial airline, along commercial routes, and into commercial hub airports. 

Ultimately, no matter how flat, wide, or comfy the seats are, despite the nearly endless on-board entertainment options, and the ability to connect to the internet, BA’s luxury service is still airline travel.  Travel that is subject to adverse weather, airport congestion, equipment malfunctions, and delayed departure/arrival times.  Does it matter how quickly and painlessly London City Airport makes the check-in process if the aircraft has not yet arrived from New York on the East-bound leg?
 
BA should know better and leave the luxury private aviation segment to private aviation.  You just can’t put a shine on a sneaker.

Surface/Extension Enhances Performance & Safety

Well-heeled skiers take note, the $40M runway resurfacing and extension project has been completed, just in time for the 2010 ski season.  Beaver Creek chefs brought freshly-baked cookies to welcome the first flights touching down after the summer-long closure.  The new runway will allow most midsized charter jets such as the Hawker 800/1000, Lear 60, and Citation Excel to now travel non-stop back to New York and South Florida.  So, when arranging your private jet to Aspen this year, remember to ask about all of your aircraft options.  Unfortunately though, you’ve already missed out on the cookies.

Superbowl, Olympics, and more

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, Caribbean, Skiing, Olympics

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.
From Major League Baseball Spring Training, Vancouver Olympics, the opening of the 2010 NASCAR, and PGA Golf, we have plenty of specially priced aircraft available for whatever you may need. 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

Special Pricing on One-Way Private Jets

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 Jets Able to Span Half the Globe in a Single Bound

.
Canadian aviation company Bombardier is aiming to displace Gulfstream as the world’s most expensive business jet with the introduction of two new models. The Global 7000 and 8000, which will cost about $65 million apiece, will beat the high-speed range of the $58.5 million Gulfstream G650. Both new private jets will have a high-speed cruise of Mach 0.90; the 7000 will have a range of 7,300 nmi at Mach 0.85, while the 8000’s range will top out at 7,900 nmi at Mach 0.85. Both will borrow elements from the existing Global Express XRS and 5000.

New wings, new tech and luxe amenities added to increased fuel efficiency will be the hallmarks of the new craft, aimed to appeal to ultra-wealthy customers in India, Asia and the UAE. The 7000 will have the largest cabin in business aviation while the 8,000 will boast the longest range. The 7000 will be able to fly from London to Singapore, New York to Dubai or Beijing to Washington non-stop with 10 passengers, while the 8000 can do Sydney to Los Angeles, Hong Kong to New York and Mumbai to New York non-stop with eight. The private aviation world is eagerly awaiting a jet like this. The Gulfstream 650 will be ready for customers sooner, but Bombardier is upping the ante with these jets. Having the range to fly nonstop from China to New York is one thing, but the ability to carry 8 passengers while you do it is quite amazing. Bravo to Bombardier, looking forward to seeing a full-scale mockup soon

Many opportunities to save money on popular routes.  NY, FL, CO, Mexico and the Caribbean -  Sun, Beaches, Snow and Skis, we’ve got you covered!

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