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| JetDirect Aviation is Fast Becoming an Empire | Oct '06 |
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| By Karen Di Piazza |
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Private aircraft management firm JetDirect Aviation, LLC, Berwyn, Pa., has acquired several charter, fixed base operations and maintenance providers across the country. To help manage its business, and to continue acquiring more companies, JetDirect brought in Brantley Partners, HSBC and AIG as equity partners.
In early September, JetDirect acquired the assets of Spirit Aviation Inc., a Part 135 charter and Part 145 maintenance provider headquartered at Van Nuys Airport (VNY), Van Nuys, Calif., with three additional bases at McClellan Airport (MCC) in Sacramento, Calif., San Carlos Airport (SQL), San Carlos, Calif., and Westchester County Airport (HPN), White Plains, N.Y. Also in September, Jet Direct acquired the assets of Regal Aviation Inc., a Part 135 operator and FBO at Dallas Love Field (DAL) in Texas, ranked in Pro Pilot's PRASE SURVEY as one of the top 2006 FBO providers in the country.
"With the addition of Regal/JetDirect's combined charter fleet to 64 aircraft, it includes light jets to long-range heavy jets," said Gregory Campbell, chairman and CEO of JetDirect.
David MacDonald, former president and CEO of Regal and now director of flight operations of JetDirect, says the amount of aircraft will double in the near future. Presently, JetDirect is waiting for the Federal Aviation Administration to consolidate all the aircraft onto one certificate.
"We're now a force to be reckoned with—on a national scale," MacDonald said. "We'll be investing in continuous improvements, and we're inviting new customers into our ranks. In the next 12 months, we'll continue strengthening our infrastructure to capitalize on our breadth, launch new products and exploit market opportunities. Currently, JetDirect's family of operators performs more than 100 flights a day."
Acquisitions of this magnitude—which in this case, will enable JetDirect to serve regions in Europe, Mexico and the Caribbean—are bane for small charter operators fighting to stay alive.
The air charter industry is changing. Many industry experts have predicted that the only way to survive in today's market is to consolidate, and then offer consistent global services. MacDonald also believes that's the market trend.
"The industry will see more of this; we'll be taking a lead role in it, too," he said. "With more than 3,000 operators across the U.S., the customer sees little consistency in product delivery."
He said that with too many product offerings, customers don't always receive a high level of service.
"Many programs are seen as a commodity," he explained. "Those who fit that description are having trouble making their margins and retaining their customers. JetDirect brings a unique product to the market that helps us operate a profitable business, while growing market share. We think big and act local.
"No other offering will deliver that kind of consistency through all aspects of a given travel or jet operation experience—sales, flight preparation, dispatch, FBO, maintenance and aircraft management. That's comforting to the private jet market. We'll also be able to address procurement in volume, so that, for example, insurance can be structured at the highest level."
JetDirect, which has also acquired FBO JetCorp at Spirit St. Louis Airport (SUS), Chesterfield, Mo., and Summit Aviation at Republic Airport (FRG), Farmingdale, N.Y., offers on-demand charter, jet membership and jet ownership programs.
"The buzz we've stirred up has been as exciting as the opportunities we're creating," MacDonald said.
For information on JetDirect, visit www.jetdirect.net.
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