Swiss business aviation services provider PrivatAir is poised to launch its block charter card by the end of the quarter as the demand for VIP transport soars throughout Europe.
The move coincides with a move by Geneva-based company to increase its share of the lucrative and increasingly competitive aircraft management business in Europe with a focus on the emerging fleet very light jets.
SelectCard had a "surreptitious, low-key roll-out" earlier this year to a handful of customers to establish spending and travel profiles and draw up a workable pricing structure.
"We have made a few tweaks to the card and now it is ready for a proper market launch," says PrivatAir chief executive Greg Thomas. PrivatAir says SelectCard is based on the principles of airline loyalty cards and will be targeted at new and existing charter customers.
"Our clients deposit $50,000 in an escrow account and the money in deducted each time they use our service. We will offer guaranteed prices and availability," says Thomas.
PrivatAir plans to tie the card to the business class airline services that it provides for carriers KLM, Lufthansa and Swiss. "So if you charter our business aircraft or use the airline shuttle services you will get discounted rates on future flights," he adds.
There will also be a synergy between the European and US cards, offered by PrivatAir's Teterboro, New York-based sister company.
Thomas says the increase in its managed fleet will help to feed the charter market.
"We are taking a keen interest in the VLJ market, both as a means of transport for our senior executives and as a low-cost addition to our charter fleet. Given their ability to land at small regional airports, Thomas says, the VLJ could form the basis of a feeder service for PrivatAir customers.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
