Advance Aviation look to expand Thailand Jet Operations

The Asian private jet charter market is clearly on the brink of a boom, but it’s not just China looking set for explosive growth in this formidable sector. Advance Aviation are a Thailand based operator of private aircraft looking to expand their operations with the addition of extra aircraft, aiming for a fleet of four private jets.

“One plane is simply not enough to run a good private jet chartering business. We need a four-jet fleet,” said Mr Chai, the son of Privy Councillor Chaovana.

Ideally, AA wants to have three more Gulfstream’s, two G200 versions similar to its existing one and one G500 model over the next few years. Mr Chai said AA, which has been running entirely on its own equity without any borrowing since it began in 2006, had sufficient capital to fund two more aircraft but may need external financing for the third. He did not say how much the expansion would cost.

Jet Booking Direct welcome this development in Thailand, and with the worldwide operation of the company, Jet Booking Direct can provide Thailand clients wishing to charter jets around the world with a true luxury VIP service.

Read more here.

Warnings sounded over Private Jet Hire for Olympics

Graham Coate, managing director of First Class Cars, a limousine service based at Luton airport, has sounded a warning regarding flying in and out of London during the Olympic games. Whilst those chartering a private jet to the 2012 London Olympics will be able to fly to their airports much more easily than commercial travellers, Coate warns that connections between hotels and venues will suffer.

“I think it will be another millennium disaster, we need new concessions for these VIPs. We cannot drive anywhere near the stadiums. If you arrive by private jet, we transport you to the hotels, but we cannot use the preferential lanes to the venues. We will not get any privileges. We will sit in the traffic along with everyone else.”

Read the full FT story here:  http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/502227fc-92d5-11e1-b6e2-00144feab49a.html#ixzz1uq34ydu4

Jet Booking Direct still have availability for slots at Luton, Farnborough and Southend Airports. Jet Booking Direct can also fly very light and small business jets and air taxis into Brighton City Airport, taking advantage of the new executive FBO service recently launched there. With journey times to London of just 1hr 17min, Brighton City Airport offers an alternative landing site for those wishing to charter a private jet to the Olympics. Comparatively, a private jet hire to Farnborough incurs a London journey time of 1hr 5 minutes, and from Luton 1hr. 

The journey times were to the same London destination and were estimated by Google Maps.

French Presidents charter incurs wrath of British Press

A Daily Mail article has criticised newly elected French President Francois Hollande of hypocrisy for chartering a private jet between Tulle, central France, and Paris. Whilst we can understand the expense may alienate some, it’s worth giving a balanced point of view. Many people are simply unaware how private jet hire works and therefore come to factually incorrect conclusions. 

For example, one person comments:

“With the superb TGV’s in France, it would probably have taken M. Hollande about the same amount of time to arrive by train as flying, taking into account the faffing about necessary at airports. “

The second part of the comment is incorrect. With private jet charter, there is no necessary “faffing about” at airports, in fact you do not usually have to even step foot in a terminal. Instead, you can drive right up to your private jet, in as little as fifteen minutes before take off. We strongly believe it’s more likely the President would have incurred more “faffing” at a train station. Whilst of course a public figure should engage with the public, we can also understand that these people need their moments of privacy as much as anybody. His trip between the two cities would have been the time for this, and only a private jet could have afforded him any real privacy.

The article itself also states the cost of chartering his jet, a Falcon 900, at £12,000 per hour. Whilst we cannot comment how much Francois Hollande paid, and we suspect neither can the Daily Mail, as private jet hire experts we find this price to be exaggerated. A Falcon 900, wet (i.e. with crew, fuel), would normally cost around £4000-6000 per hour, depending on the aircraft. The figure of £12000 is extortionate to say the least, and highly unlikely.

We estimate Francois Hollande’s trip would more likely have cost about £2000.

Private Jet Charter, or just go first class?

There’s first class travel and then there’s real first class travel, which means traveling in style and the luxury you really want to. When you own or charter a private jet, you can literally have all of the luxuries that you desire and you’ll never want to fly commercial again.

First class in general means the best there is. First class on commercial airlines simply means its the best you can get on a commercial flight. You still have to fly on their schedule, depart and arrive at their few chosen airports and incur any delays or cancellations that do happen. You have shorter check-in and possibly shorter security lines, but you still have to take off your shoes. Your luggage gets a First Class tag, but it’s still slow in arriving and possibly lost.

True first class is getting exactly what you want. Your schedule, your departure and arrival point, your routing, no delays or waiting, no screaming kids, the food and drinks you want, served on your own schedule – that’s the exact First Class travel experience you get with a private flight. And to get that class of travel without having to have a first class budget, you want to charter your flight. 

Travel in first class offers some advantages not found in coach travel. However, there a number of amenities that you’d enjoy with a luxury private jet charter that commercial first class travel cannot deliver. Here are just a few advantages of luxury charters that you should consider.

•Elimination of long security lines. Go right to your luxury private jet and board your aircraft.

•No embarrassing shoe and clothing removal at security checkpoints.

•Privacy. It is almost impossible to have serious business discussions on a commercial aircraft while surrounded by strangers.

•Comfort and luxury. While first class travel offers more comfortable seats than coach, the seating cannot compare to a luxury jet charter. If you need to rest more than work, you can often convert your luxurious seat into a very comfortable bed.

•Make your own flight schedule. Being at the mercy of commercial flight schedules, you have little choice when you will fly. Luxury travel on a private jet, however, allows you to schedule flight times that are convenient for you

New Business Jet FBO Opens at Moscow Sheremetievo

Moscow Sheremetievo Airport’s newly built Terminal A–a dedicated business jet facility operated by Avia-Group–is now open. The Airport General Manager has said that the facility was built to “high” international standards to secure Sheremetievo as “the best of the premium segment in the business aviation market.”

The 29,000-sq-ft facility stands on the northern side of the airport (north of its parallel runways) and is half a mile from Terminals B and C.

Inside the terminal there are departure and arrival halls, several VIP lounges, a duty-free shop, a conference room and a bar. Adjacent to the terminal building is a 161,500-sq-ft hangar that offers covered storage for business jets and maintenance. There is also nearly 248,000 sq ft of ramp space at the complex. The airport operator expects to add a helipad in the future.

The Avia-Group is also planning to open a business aviation centre at St. Petersburg Pulkovo Airport this year. These services look set to change private jet charter in the region.

Iron Maiden man launches aircraft maintenance business

Bruce Dickinson, the lead singer of Iron Maiden, is opening a new business called Cardiff Aviation Ltd which he hopes will create hundreds of jobs in south Wales.

Headed by Dickinson, a qualified commercial pilot, the company will operate out of St Athan which is one of five new enterprise zones in Wales focussing on the aerospace industry.

Business Minister Edwina Hart said “We have a strong dynamic aerospace sector in Wales and this investment will build upon the skilled workforce that already exists in the area, providing a range of career opportunities.”

Cardiff Aviation will maintain airliners and other large aircraft for major and independent airlines. It will also perform training and claims to have the necessary approvals to certify aircraft from jurisdictions including the USA. Aircraft maintenance firms form a pivotal role in supporting private jet charter flights, ensuring aircraft remain in the air, reducing delays and setbacks.

Champions League Final 2012 Private Jet Charter

In a fixture sure to be eagerly anticipated by football fans globally, London team Chelsea take on Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena, Bayern Munich’s 70,000 capacity home ground. This game will see thousands of Chelsea fans fly from London to Munich, and Jet Booking Direct are able to provide private jet charter as an alternative to commercial flight.

A group of fans can club together for a flight, and when split between them, a private charter could prove extremely economical. Jet Booking Direct can arrange for a car to take fans both to the departing airport, and from Munich Airport straight to the Arena.

Government cooperation is key for sustainable aviation

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has called on governments to work with the aviation industry to maximise aviation’s ability to sustainably drive global economic development and job creation.

Nearly 50 million tonnes of cargo transported by air represents some 35 per cent of the value of goods traded internationally.

“Aviation is a highly regulated industry and sustainability depends not only on what airlines do for themselves but also the policies adopted by governments” said Tony Tyler, CEO of IATA.

Jet Booking Direct experiencing surge in empty leg bookings

More and more people are choosing to buy empty seats on private aircraft over their usual business class journeys. Why? JBD can provide a journey on a private jet for about the same price; so that’s all the luxurious benefits minus the lengthy delays and crowded airports.

Tell us your desired route and well find you a seat on those either already spare or empty positioning or return flights. Our dedicated team of expert brokers have seen a 40% rise in empty leg bookings over the past few weeks, so ensure you enquire sooner rather than later to avoid disappointment with this fantastic opportunity to fly aboard a private jet.

Private Jet Charter to London Olympics 2012

The whole world will be looking towards London in summer 2012. Arriving at the London 2012 Olympic Games in a private aircraft will enhance the entire experience for the passengers; a special day to remember. You will also benefit from avoiding the long queues, at the airport and on the roads or on the trains.

We also provide luxury helicopters that offer a perfect solution to getting around the UK during the games.

The London 2012 Olympics will attract many overseas spectators and competitors so the larger airports, Heathrow and Gatwick, are bound to be very busy. It makes sense to use the smaller airports nearby to avoid the crowds and probable longer waiting periods at the busier and larger airports.

Private Jet hire is also ideal for London 2012 Olympic Teams and Sponsors. Being able to transport the entire team reduces delays and makes international travel as stress-free as possible. Sporting equipment can generally be carried on the same aircraft, or on a cargo flight giving you peace of mind that your vital equipment will arrive safely and in perfect condition.

Ryder Cup 2012 Jet Charter

This year’s 2012 British Open Golf championship event will be held at the prestigious Royal Lytham & St Annes Club from July 15th-22nd.

The anticipated record breaking number of spectators to attend The British Open Championship will create high demand for private charter flights.

Jet Booking Direct will be running daily helicopter transfers from London Heliport in Battersea in a journey time of just 50 minutes and enjoy the stunning aerial views of the course along the way.  Alternatively Blackpool International Airport is located only 10 minutes from Lytham St Annes town centre. Manchester International Airport and Liverpool John Lennon Airport are both an approximate 45 minute drive away. We can arrange to have a limo waiting to escort to your hotel and the event.

MTV Europe Music Awards 2012

This year’s MTV EMA’s will take place on November 11 in the German city of Frankfurt. The show is billed as a celebration of music from around the globe and will showcase some of the biggest names in the industry.

As a result of its prestige and popularity Jet Booking Direct has already started taking bookings, providing a raft of packages for clients.

This luxury service provides celebrities, as well as fans and executives, with a quick and safe way to arrive to and depart from Frankfurt. Travellers that use private jets to Frankfurt are able to forgo strict security screenings and long waiting lines at the airport. This is particularly beneficial to celebrities and executives that must follow set time schedules.