Kate Sarsfield/LONDON
TransJet.com, an Internet-based business aircraft and helicopter fractional ownership venture believed to be the first of its kind, will start operations on 15 February in the USA.
The operation, owned by 3wVentures.com, a California-based Internet funding subsidiary of venture capitalist Web Capital of Florida, plans to launch a charter, air ambulance and aircraft sales and leasing venture simultaneously.
Garrett Krause, 3w president and chief executive, says: "With a flourishing global economy, we are seeing an unprecedented interest in private business and luxury travel services from wealthy consumers. TransJet.com will seek to revolutionise this highly fractionalised and yet burgeoning market through an array of transportation [including business aircraft, helicopters and yachts], accommodation and air ambulance services, all available online on a global basis."
The service will be launched in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Los Angeles, California, initially with two British Aerospace 125-600s, although 3w plans to introduce TransJet.com in "40 strategically based US cities" as demand increases. The air ambulance configured Bombardier Learjet 36 will be based in Los Angeles.
Booking an aircraft through TransJet.com, Krause claims, is simple and convenient. "A client will enter their itinerary on the www.TransJet.com website and receive an immediate fare quote [through its TransCharter.com offshoot]. One click, and their business jet can be reserved and delivered within a 4h window," Krause says.
Under the terms of the fractional ownership programme, customers purchase between one- sixteenth, one-eighth and one-half shares in an aircraft. A one-eighth share in a Hawker 125-600, for example, costs $250,000, which entitles the owner to 100h of flight time and a 4h guaranteed response time. Owners also pay a $4,250 monthly management fee and $1,250 per occupied flight hour.
3w plans to launch a London-based service in Europe during the third quarter of the year.
Source: Flight International
