The Jet Business - the world's first street-level, virtual showroom for business aircraft - has got off to a "strong start", it said, within a month of its formal opening.
The London-based company has doubled the number of pre-owned aircraft it is marketing on an "exclusive" basis. "We are building up a significant pipeline of interest and are in various stages of the acquisition process with different clients," said The Jet Business founder and owner Steve Varsano.
"The sweet spot we are seeing interest in is in the super midsize, long and ultra-long-range business jets.
"The light end of the jet market is not as robust as the upper end. The large cabin, long-range models are in more demand than ever and leading that interest are buyers in the BRIC [Brazil, Russia, India and China] countries.
"Over 60% of new aircraft sales are now from outside the USA and some 35% of new sales of ultra-long-range business jets have come from China," he added.
Since opening, The Jet Business has also fielded requests from clients who want new positions on new business jet models. "We are finding that they come to the showroom, view a whole range of aircraft types on our giant electronic video wall and come away enthused about an aircraft type that they hadn't previously considered," Varsano said.
The Jet Business iPad app displays full-size comparative fuselage cross-sections, aerial views and performance specifications on the widest range of business jet aircraft available on the market.
Varsano said his commitment to launch the first consumer brand in business jet trading stems from his belief that business aviation and its client base can expand dramatically if customers - especially from emerging markets - have more knowledge about how to purchase or lease a jet. The showroom in central London allows The Jet Business to explore all the options open to customers and market aircraft in a unique way. Similar ventures are planned for the USA and China.
Source: Flight International
