easyJet to test new Airborne Volcanic Object Identifier and Detector system
June 8, 2010
easyJet have announced that they will be the first airline to trial a new technology called AVOID (Airborne Volcanic Object Identifier and Detector). This is a system which works very much like a weather radar but sees ash clouds rather than storms. This will allow pilots to change their routing to avoid these clouds and will also pass information to a ground control centre so that the information can be used to keep planes flying safely.
It’s great to see that such systems are being developed and more importantly that they are likely to be put into service. After the mass airspace closures in April this year, such technology should allow those in control of airspace to make better informed and more realistic decisions.
The mass closures have cost airlines and the travel industry millions at a time where the industry is already facing some of it’s lowest points and in future such general over-reaction must be avoided at all costs. Safety is obviously the number one concern every time a plane leaves the ground but such over-reaction should be controlled and should not be tolerated again.
AVOID should play a major role in seeing to it that this is the case.
See the announcement from easyJet here.
Commercial Aviation – What’s Happening?
June 1, 2010
So, after the Icelandic volcano caused mass disruption to global aviation, Unite are pushing for more BA Cabin Crew strikes and Michael O’Leary says he doesn’t want our money, but he doesn’t want our bags either.
Now we’re not here to compete with the commercial airlines (though many first class passengers would probably prefer our service) but it’s interesting to monitor what’s going on in the world of aviation.
Maybe it is time for us to start working on attracting commercial travellers to a different world; no long queues, no security issues, no baggage restrictions and no hidden charges. It’s a strange and interesting time where customer care seems to be the last thing on the list for many commercial airlines and when the threat of terrorism is adding around 45 minutes to every passenger’s journey due to the additional security requirements.
In a time of credit crunches and a global recession there will always be a downturn but where commercial aviation is heading at the moment really isn’t a good place.
Proud Sponsors of the Cayman Rugby Union
May 5, 2010
We are very pleased to announce that we have secured our position as a primary sponsor of the Cayman Rugby Union with a five year sponsorship deal.
Here is the press release issued 5 May 2010.
Jet Booking Direct secure sponsorship deal with the Cayman Rugby Union.
LONDON/GRAND CAYMAN – Jet Booking Direct have announced that they have secured a five year sponsorship deal with the Cayman Rugby Union.
After enjoying unparalleled growth and success over the past two years, Jet Booking Direct are embarking on a global brand awareness program. They plan to increase their current marketing activity and are working on a number of sponsorship deals.
“We’ve been working with the Cayman Rugby Union for some time now and already manage the flights for their away games. It’s a very exciting time for us and it’s great to be involved with the Union. Their youth development program is excellent and they stand a great chance of entering a sevens team at the 2016 Olympics.” said Rob Dore – CMO.
Jet Booking Direct have focused on search marketing since their launch in 2008 and have been successful in attracting ad-hoc charter and flight account clients.
“We have done very well from our marketing efforts to date and now we have the opportunity to support a number of sporting and charitable organisations around the world.” said Andy Hudson – CEO EMEA.
With a focus on Customer Service, a competitive pricing structure and superior aircraft, Jet Booking Direct enjoyed sustained, continual growth at a time where many in the industry have felt the effects of the economic downturn. They are now looking to invest heavily in their own future and have substantially increased their marketing budget to promote further growth through advertising and sponsorship.
Steve Blight – CEO USA & Caribbean, “It’s mutually beneficial to us and to those that we support and a great way to put ourselves in front of a lot more potential clients.” he continued.
Richard Adams – Technical Director of the Cayman Rugby Union said “We are delighted with the new partnership with Jet Booking Direct. They have already proven to be an invaluable service to our fast growing and quickly developing Rugby programs. They feature strongly in our future plans as we look to travel more frequently and farther afield at all levels of the game in our efforts to become a small Island Rugby power in the game. Their excellent service, reliability and strong leadership allow us to depend on Jet Booking Direct for as much of our travel arrangements as possible.’
About Jet Booking Direct
Jet Booking Direct are a private aviation broker specialising in Private Jet Hire and Jet Charter Management. Their Customer base includes private and corporate clients, TV production and news channels, Premiership footballers, Formula 1 drivers and TV personalities. They have a reputation for reliable service and transparent billing and only work with fully approved operators with first class service & safety records.
How Flexible is a Jet Card?
April 22, 2010
I’ve read a lot of web content and press releases recently about Jet Card accounts being unique and flexible and to put it bluntly, I’m amused. With statements like “25 Hours”, “Flexible Terms”, “Change Aircraft”, “Our Unique Club” and so on and all claiming to be unique which, quite simply, just isn’t true.
As a broker (and in this we’re not unique) we are able to offer true and total flexibility for regular flyers. With our flight account, we will not hold you to a jet type or size, we’ll work out a plan for you based on the hours you need no matter how many or few that is, we don’t charge a membership fee for our exclusive “club”, we have no hidden charges, the price we quote is the price you pay, we generally have lower positioning costs (the price to get the jet from it’s base to where you are departing from) as we work with operators across the globe and if you spend over £100,000 in a year, we’ll give you a share in our company.
So the question is: What do you need?
We’re pretty sure that if involves private jet hire we’ll do it for you and do it well.
We have a very straight forward approach to what we do and we’ll make sure that everything is straight forward for you too. Whatever your flight profile is we’ll work with you to give you the best service on the best jets at the best possible price – it’s as simple as that.
If you think the service that you’re getting for your private jet charter could be better, give us a call.
In fairness, it’s hard to be unique when you’re marketing this business but it’s more important to be honest than it is to be unique or is honesty unique in itself?
The Ash Cloud – Are We Over-Reacting?
April 19, 2010
There is a lot of media attention on the ash cloud following the volcanic eruptions in Iceland and I’m starting to wonder by how much are we over-reacting.
It’s akin to using a mobile phone in a petrol station. One or two extreme incidents create worldwide panic and gross over exaggeration by the media does nothing to retain a balanced argument and almost forces the hand of those in control to over-react.
In the early days of using car phones there was a small chance that when a call was established there may be a spark between the aerial and the car body that it was attached to. We are going back to the days before glass mounted aerials and handheld phones here!! That spark in extreme circumstances could ignite the petrol fumes and cause an explosion. With the current handheld mobile you’ll see panic on the face of petrol station employees if a customer is seen to be using one either inside or out of their car, usually followed by demands over the PA system that the phone use is stopped immediately. In reality, the act of getting out of one’s car and getting a static shock is more likely to cause an explosion in a petrol station than using a mobile phone.
In the same way, we have to look at this cloud for what it is and the true danger it poses to air travellers. When BA Flight 9 flew through volcanic ash in 1982 all four engines failed. However, after a glide descent to clear air, the engines were restarted and the aircraft was flown to a safe landing with no casualties. In all of my research (and this is my research so may not be totally conclusive) I cannot find a story of a plane crashing due to the ingestion of debris from a volcano. The other thing to keep in mind is that Flight 9 flew through an area of intense ash and debris where little dispersal had taken place.
The ash cloud that we’re talking about has been spread over a very vast area and it is believed by many that there is approximately one egg cup full of ash per square mile of sky – this, as was proved yesterday by KLM, BA and Lufthansa poses little or no risk to a modern jet engine.
Moreover, we need to look at this situation with some more practicality. Modern technology allows us to gain a very accurate picture of where the cloud is, what the altitudes are and so on. Using this data it should be possible to get many more flights off the ground without risking any passenger’s or crew member’s safety by flying under, over and around the affected airspace. The blanket closure is already receiving a lot of criticism and is said to be costing airlines, travel companies, airports and associated businesses in excess of £250M (again based on my research).
We would never break away from our safety first approach and wouldn’t accept a flight that posed any risk to our customer’s safety, so we’re not going to rush anything and we will work in accordance with the law and relevant aviation regulation. We just want those that set the rules for us to be practical and sensible, at the moment I’m not too sure that’s the case.
Our very best wishes are extended to the people of Iceland affected by this volcanic activity and to those stranded by the current conditions and closed airspace.
Volcanic Ash Cloud – Flights to & From Europe
April 19, 2010
We have aircraft available in Europe and the USA for individual or syndicate flights. We will route flights in open airspace to airports that are currently unrestricted and arrange ground, sea or helicopter transfers.
If you are desperate to travel home or even to get to your holiday or business meeting Complete the form here and we will endeavour to get you where you need to be.
Alternatively call us now:
UK-0800 6226 538 USA – 1 866 681 1889 Worldwide – +44(0)20 3005 9808
All options are subject to availability and our usual Terms and Conditions.
Volcanic Ash – Flight Update
April 19, 2010
08:00 19 April 2010
At the current time, air traffic control services are not being provided to civil aircraft in the major part of European airspace. This includes Belgium, parts of Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, parts of France, most of Germany, Hungary, Ireland, northern Italy, the Netherlands, parts of Norway, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine and the UK.
In some of these areas the upper airspace has been made available, depending on the observed and forecasted area of possible ash contamination. However, it is difficult to access this airspace as in most cases the surrounding area is not available for flights.
Southern Europe, including Spain, Portugal, the southern Balkan area, southern Italy, Bulgaria, Greece and Turkey are open and flights are taking place in these areas.
Volcanic Ash Update
April 16, 2010
Call us with your immediate flight requirements. Due to the nature of private jet travel and the ability for our jets to fly below the ash cloud it is possible that many flights will still be able to route to and from the UK. We are currently unable to guarantee any routing but we will do all that we can to get you airborne.
Due to the volcanic ash moving across Europe from Iceland we are experiencing massive disruption to any kind of air travel. This is a rapidly changing situation and the return to normality is very dependent on the weather conditions in Europe and how quickly the wind can move the cloud out of harms way. The other massive factor here is when the eruptions stop and for how long, recent expert reports suggest intermittent affect on air travel for up to six months. After the eruption of Mount Pinatubo, Philippines in 1991 the ash cloud was so big and carried so far in global weather systems that it actually reduced temperatures around the globe for three years.
Ham Polo Club Official Private Jet Hire Partner
April 6, 2010
We are very pleased to announce that we have reached a partnership agreement and are now the official flight and private jet hire partner for Ham Polo Club.
Ham Polo Club, only eight miles from Hyde Park Corner, is proud to be the last surviving London polo club out of the 12 or so that existed in the London metropolitan area earlier this century. They are also one of the oldest clubs in the UK, having been founded in 1926. Ham are proud of their traditions of being a friendly, family polo club. Should you wish to see the action, the polo season runs from the beginning of May to the end of September.
- There are matches every Sunday throughout the summer starting at around 2pm.
- The HPC is based in South West London, close to the River Thames.
- The cost for cars is £10 (occupants free) or £2 for pedestrians so bring your picnic and join us! Enquiries for social membership (currently £150 per annum for singles and £225 per annum for families + £100 joining fee).
We are proud to be working with Ham and proud to be associated with such a great club.
Exclusive Partnership with NJS Executive Chauffeur Drive
March 31, 2010
We are very pleased to announce that we are now the Official Private Jet Charter Partner for NJS Executive.
“Setting the standard”
If you’re thinking about how to get to or from the airport, please talk to our Official Chauffeur Partner - NJS Executive.
NJS Executive excel in providing a professional and discreet chauffeur car service with excellent customer service to clients who require the absolute best within Essex and London.
They have an established reputation for punctuality, professionalism and quality of service.
Are you asking yourself why choose NJS Executive as your professional Essex and London chauffeur car service?
* Ultimate comfort and Safety
* Courteous chauffeurs who are discreet and respectful
* We turn up on time, every time
* You reach your destination on time
* Geographic knowledge
* Scrupulously clean cars inside and out
* Competitive prices
* Open 24/7
* Latest luxury chauffeur cars
They have a network of satisfied clients who range from major Blue chip companies, Celebrities and private clients who just want a professional chauffeur company within Essex and London they can rely on.
The fully trained reservations team at NJS makes your booking easy and hassle free!
Every time you enquire about or book one of their chauffeur vehicles you will receive a speedy competitive quote, Booking reference number and Chauffeur details (telephone number) just for added peace of mind.
Chauffeur cars
They make sure they have the range of vehicles that’s right for you.
Whether your needs are for Airport transfers, Corporate cars, London sightseeing, sporting events, or simply just a luxurious way to round off an evening at the Opera.
Please mention JBDJet when you call or make an enquiry.
