How to navigate your way through the maze of private jet providers, get a steal deal and hone in on the latest in COVID-19 sanitation precautions.
Flying by private jet for many has long been deemed as an A-list celebrity luxury, however with the influx of shared travel, membership schemes and pay-for fly providers, it is now more accessible than ever.
In light of the cross-border closures, whether it be an Emirates Boeing 747 or a Gulfstream 7500, no flights are taking to the skies, crippling both commercial and private aviation industries. Many stationed aircrafts need weekly engineering checks and runway tests regardless of their movements, and with staff on the ground are busier than ever, navigating turnaround storage facilities and around the clock security for aircraft hangers. Meanwhile pilots and airline staff jobs have been axed with reports and losses provided by Singapore Airlines show a catastrophic $148 million annual net loss and Ryanair reporting a cut of 3,000 global employees.
18-05-2020
Over the last few days we have been rewarded with the harmonious news that countries such as Italy, the UAE and the Maldives are re-opening boarders and welcoming tourist's, combined with a sense of relief that the end may be in sight, and a fear that social distancing orders are not being met, many families and business travellers are resorting to private aviation.
In discussion with Alex MacDonald, CEO of Velocity Black, he shed some light on the increased amount of enquires for private travel over the last few days, noting that many of their existing first-class travellers are opting for private jets, and booking round trips until the end of the year with their trusted providers.
With the unique facility of providing a speedy in-and-out service, private jets are not only the safest and best contagion free option but they are more financially accessible now more than ever. Competing with over 60 European transatlantic providers, the market for shared ownership, one-way rates and yearly flying hour commitments are soaring.
So, how does the market look for jet ownership?... A buyers one.
With many CEO and business magnate owners clipped at the wings, they are looking for a get out clause and quickly, with the average price of ground servicing alone racking up anywhere between £700,000-£4,000,000 per year it is certainly a costly toy. Many owners are considering offering shared ownerships and chartering, whereby previously just used for personal use. Private jet purchase and sales usually take around 6 months to complete, with regulatory checks and country provisioning needed, however many buyers and sellers are turning to cutting out the middle man and liaising directly with their end customer.
With those in dire need of getting back to their families or rescuing international businesses, here are a list of some of the industries safety pioneer services to get you there.
NetJets – The leader in fractional ownership, celebrity frequent flyers and the shared program, are promoting a safe environment to travel, enforcing rigorous daily cleaning and disinfecting post-flight and pre-flight landings. Alongside limiting commercial travel for all crew members and implementing antibody testing for all NetJets employees.
Vista Jet, a unit of Vista Global Holdings, known for its three-year flying schemes, is now offering short-term leases between one and three months. Whereby you have access to a dedicated aircraft and flight crew based at an airport near you. The packages include 50 hours of travel per month, and you can add hours at a reduced rate.
Air Partner, a U.K.-based private aviation company, that boasts an exhaustive list of service offerings including, empty legs, group charter and jet cards, have launched Air Partner Protect, a safeguarding screening for quick response evacuation and on hand medical support.
With the ever-prominent elephant in the room with the lack of a Covid-19 vaccine, private travel seems no longer an exuberant binge, but a reduced risk and infection free measure.
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