Fractional Aircraft Ownership
Flying on commercial airlines is an experience few would rate as pleasant nowadays. Airlines which used pamper even their coach passangers have cut back on service and amenities. The airline industry is reeling right now, and budget cuts along with the rising cost of jet fuel have resulted in higher ticket prices for fewer travel options. This might seem acceptable for those who fly once a year on vacation, but if you own a business that requires you or your employees to spend a great deal of time in the air, this could be an unwanted hassle unless you find an alternative. That’s why considering fractional aircraft ownership is a good idea.
Fractional aircraft ownership packages are becoming more and more common today. These packages allow you to purchase flight time on a private jet that you share with other fractional owners. Since fractional aircraft ownership falls between the extremes of using commercial flights and buying your own aircraft, it can obviously provide you with numerous benefits.
First, you’ll have all the advantages of a private jet without any of the hassles. That’s because inspections, maintenance, flightplans, pilots, certifications, and crew members are all taken care of.
Second, many fractional aircraft ownership plans give access to an entire fleet of aircraft. This means you can take off and land at many different locales without having to worry about whether or not a certain is available. If any of the programs planes are nearby, you’ll be able to use it if no one else has booked it.
Third, many fractional aircraft ownership programs only charge for the hours you fly. Unlike a traditional chartering service, you won’t get charged for waiting times or assessed empty leg charges, so you can benefit from flexible schedules that allows you to stay over-night if necessary.
Specific terms of each fractional aircraft ownership package vary greatly, so due diligence is a must before signing up with a particular program. However, the basic operating principle of these firms are pretty similar. Since fractional aircraft ownership actually encompasses being an owner, you’ll have to put up a large sum of money to purchase your share. The amount you pay varies on how many hours you expect to use the plane. After that, you’ll be charged for each hour that you actually fly on the plane during the contract period. You can exit your fractional aircraft ownership package at any time by selling your share. Often, the company you bought the package from will assist you in selling your share/s. Often you can recoup a good chunk of the purchase price.
If the high cost and inconvenience of commercial air travel is taking a toll on your company’s bottomline, maybe it’s time to investigate fractional aircraft ownership. After experiencing air travel on your own terms and schedule, you won’t want to go back to commercial airlines again!