When it comes to choosing a business jet charter broker to fly privately with, there are a few things to keep in mind. All jet charter brokers have access to the same jets and systems. There are a few key sites in the industry that cater to the business jet charter brokerage industry. Some of these sites require membership dues while some are free. These sites and the advancement of web technology make a broker’s job much easier. That is not to say that all brokers are the same by any means. What differentiates brokers is the human factors and the people who run the operations.There are three main ingredients to a smart charter such as safety, flexibility and cost.
In regards to safety; There are two main companies that do third party safety verifications, namely ARG/US and WYVERN. These companies evaluate the operators, the aircrafts, and the pilots per given trip to make sure that they are FAA part 135 compliant. ARG/US and WYVERN have raised the bar on the transparency of safety standards in the business jet charter industry. Operators are motivated to achieve a higher safety rating. Some ratings require an on site audit and some don’t, but both require the verification which proves the pilots, the aircraft and the operator to be airworthy and part 135 compliant.
Flexibility is important since executive jet travelers want the luxury of being able to choose their jet size based on the number people flying with them. There are different categories of jets such as light jets, mid-size jets, and heavy jets. Some trips may require a smaller jet which translate into cost savings while some may require a larger jet which may also translate into cost savings and comfort depending on the number of people traveling and the distance for the trip. It is always nice to have the flexibility of taking your money out without penalty charges or other financial losses. Generally, business jet ownership offers optimum control over a specific jet. Alternative methods of flying privately are introduced to the jet market to combat the high costs that are associated with jet ownership. The terms private jet, corporate jet, business jet, executive jet, and jet charter are used interchangeably. Some jets and services are more suited for the business clientele but generally they all mean the same thing.
Last but not least is the cost factor; Since the introduction of the private jet charter in the early 1960’s people have been seeking more cost effective methods of flying privately. In 1986 Richard Santulli of Netjets introduced the concept of fractional ownership, which divided the cost of a business jet by up to sixteen people. Fractional ownership requires a large upfront investment and the hourly rates are still very high in comparison to the latest model of flying privately. The innovation of the internet gave birth to the growth and effectiveness of business jet brokerage companies. For the first time we are able to track all jets and their locations. We now know where the operators are worldwide, which jets they have, and what the safety ratings the jets and the pilots have. For the first time we are able to find an empty leg that we never knew existed in the past. Currently, the most cost effective option to flying privately is the on-demand charter and the jet card membership programs.
At Paramount we encourage fractional owners to fly with us and use their expensive fractional hours as a back up.
The key is to enjoy the benefits of business jet ownership and fractional ownership without being responsible for the cost that is associated with these models. In addition to cost savings and safety, Paramount offers additional flexibility. It is most important to find a jet brokerage company that is safety oriented, reliable, and cares about exceeding the client’s expectations each and every trip.
