(VIEQ 1EGLMRIWŴ`ŴWINGS
Is This Business Aviation’s Frustrating New Normal? Clients are paying US$5,000 to US$25,000 per hour for private jets, and in return they’re getting delays and downgrades. What gives? Words: Michael Verdon Illustration: Rami Niemi
A CHIEF EXECUTIVE recently shared an email about a jet charter his company had arranged for important clients. Scheduled for an on-time departure from Austin, the pilots noticed a blinking light in the cockpit and called in the mechanics. Several hours later, the issue was resolved, but the crew, which by then had exceeded FAA-mandated hours for the day, was grounded. Unable to secure a replacement aircraft, the clients didn’t complete the flight to Phoenix until the following day. The CEO, an experienced private flyer, was incensed
112
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022
that such an expensive trip had been delayed because the provider couldn’t find another jet. “One of the most incredible s*** shows ever by a charter company,” he wrote. For an industry that prides itself on clockwork white-glove service, dealing with the massive, COVID-era influx of newcomers from the commercial airlines has been a struggle. “We’re seeing 25 to 40 per cent more volume than previous years,” says Michael Silvestro, CEO of Flexjet, a fractional-ownership and jet-card provider. “Our
