General aviation has suffered severely from the economic crisis over the past two years, but many in the industry believe they’re seeing early signs of a comeback in the private aviation sector. Leading the way are charter jet companies, who offer practical business travel solutions at a time when corporate jet ownership is becoming increasingly toxic.
Public scrutiny and economic pressures have forced many companies to dump their private fleets, resulting in a flood of aircraft becoming available on the market. Several light aircraft manufacturers report sales are down this year. Some are planning budget cuts and even sending employees on furlough, as growth projections are less than optimistic.
The glut of aircraft, however, has been a boon to private charter jet companies, many of whom are finding innovative ways to attract customers. With jet card membership programs, charter jet auctions, one-way and dead-leg bargains, and even customer ride-sharing initiatives, travelers can increasingly find charter jet deals that offer the luxury of a private charter at a discounted rate.
Jet Card Programs
- Offer blocks of airtime at a fixed rate
- Choose the type of aircraft when purchasing your card
- Typically must book at least 48 hours in advance (can be up to two weeks during holidays and peak travel times)
- Generally no black-out dates and no expiration
- Works well for frequent charter jet travelers
Charter Jet Auctions
- Online marketplace allows you to search across charter jet operators
- Works like an online charter jet broker
- Enter your travel itinerary and get a range of quotes
Bargain Basement
- Empty-leg (dead leg) deals are usually offered when an aircraft needs to be repositioned for a variety of reasons, including maintenance and inspection.
- One-way discounts are also now offered by companies who string multiple one-way trips together. The aircraft eventually lands at home base, but may have made a series of one-way hops before returning home.
- Ride sharing programs are now cropping up that allow customers to post a travel itinerary and wait for others to join. The charter jet expense can then be shared by several passengers, making the flight much more affordable.
Photo via moaksey
