We live on a budget. It might expand and constraint depending on a series of internal and external variables, and sometimes priorities must be arranged. In the context of companies, due to budget constraints, some have decided to start flying their top executives and CEO’s on commercial airlines instead of adapting to other private jet options. When that happens, the private jet provider is as guilty as the finance department for not understanding the solutions that will help to adapt to the new scenario.
Private charter’s flexibility offers extensive options if the price is a concern. Monarch Air Group, a private jet provider based in Fort Lauderdale, listed its three primary ways for travelers and companies to adapt to a reduced budget without losing the vast list of amenities provided by this segment. And it all starts with the right aircraft.
1. Adapt the aircraft to the route
For some, private aviation is a luxury. And that’s ok. There are clients that don’t really mind chartering a larger jet for short routes, although it’s clearly not the cost-efficient way to go. This is the first-way costs can be reduced; adapting the aircraft to the specific route and number of passengers.
Downsizing from a heavy to a light jet will save hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Furthermore, an option that many discards are the turboprops. Comfortable, versatile and much cheaper than jets, turboprops serve as a great option when running on a budget, especially for flights lasting less than three hours.
2. Pick the correct airport
Departing from an airport where a specific aircraft is already based, hence not needing relocation, will immediately save thousands of dollars. The price of that ferry flight will therefore not be included in the overall costs.
Alongside lays the need to choose the cheapest airport near the destination, considering handling costs may vary even in US$ 1,000. This will finally depend on how flexible the client can be, meaning a cheaper airport might be located an hour away from downtown compared to a 20-minute drive from a more expensive terminal.
3. Travel in groups
Chartering an aircraft for one or 10 passengers will cost exactly the same. In private aviation, it’s the plane you’re paying for instead of the seat. Therefore, traveling alongside more people will help to fly at a lower price per person. This is possible especially for massive events, where grouping up with more travelers for the same route is more attainable.
Other ways to cut costs and still fly private are using empty leg flights, although they have limited flexibility and strict cancellation policies, chartering older aircraft (a plane with all its scheduled maintenance checks can fly for several decades), and leaving lunch for after you land, thus not paying for what may be a top-notch meal.
All these approaches toward reducing costs with the objective to still be able to fly private need to be advised by the private jet provider; aircraft prices vary depending on availability and the need for relocation and not every 10-year-old jet will cost the same; an older plane might be refurbished with state-of-the-art interiors, making it even more expensive than a new aircraft.
Established in 2005, Monarch Air Group is a leading provider of the on-demand private jet charter, aircraft management, and long-term aircraft lease. Among Monarch’s customers are Fortune 500 corporations, leading entrepreneurs, Government agencies and world-leading NGO’s.