Air Partner - "Shifts in Private Jet Procurement Expected to Create a 'Battle of the Jet Providers'"

LONDON, May 20, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Air Partner, the only aviation company to hold a Royal Warrant from HM Queen Elizabeth II, is a leading provider of aviation services to high net worth individuals, corporates and six of the G8 group of governments.

New research from independent aviation consultants Conklin & de Decker assesses the jet card products offered by NetJets Europe and Air Partner across six key criteria.  The 'key findings' from the independent research give 51 year old Air Partner the 'advantage' over NetJets Europe in four out of six criteria, and ranks Air Partner and NetJets Europe's products as 'comparable' in the remaining two areas.  

The six areas that Conklin and de Decker based its 'key findings' on are  (i) Accessible Service Areas (ii) Notice Period (iii) Aircraft Choice (iv) Pricing (v) Flexibility, and (vi) Quality Assurance, Service and Safety. Conklin & de Decker's full research report "Jet Cards Compared" can be downloaded at http://www.airpartner.com/en-GB/privatejets/Jetcard/Prices/.  

Commenting on the results of the research, Simon Wheatley, Air Partner's Manager for Private Jets, said, "We are delighted that research carried out by a leading independent aviation consultant has recognised the benefits of Air Partner's JetCard programme.  All credit to NetJets which has raised the profile and benefits of private aviation, but the sector is very competitive now and clients are looking to the benefits and advantages offered by other cutting edge products in today's market. Many of our clients tell us that actions speak louder than words; they like the fact that we spend money on ensuring the best services, safety, prices and products, rather than just advertising how great we are."

Key Findings from Conklin & de Decker's Jet Card Comparison:

                                        Air Partner
    Criteria Assessed NetJets Europe      JetCard           Advantage

    Accessible          Europe +       Europe, Middle       Air Partner JetCard
    Service Area        special        East, Continental
    (without penalty)   destinations   USA, Mexico,
                                       Caribbean +
                                       special
                                       destinations

    Notice Period     24 hrs in         24 hrs in           Comparable
                      Europe            Europe              products

    Aircraft Choice                     6 categories       Air Partner
                                        from smallest      Jetcard
                                        to largest
                      4 categories      37+ individual
                      and 10 aircraft   aircraft types
                      types only       
                      Cost penalties    No cost
                      for interchange   penalties for
                                        interchange

    Pricing           Higher base                          Air Partner
                      cost, and         Lower cost         JetCard
                      Fuel Cost         relative to
                      Adjustments       NetJets Europe

    Flexibility                         Hours don't        Air Partner
                                        expire             JetCard

                                        Full balance
                      Hours have        refund
                      limited life      available at
                      span              anytime

                      Limited or no     Hours can be
                      refunds           freely
                                        exchanged for
                      Interchange       other
                      rates with        goods/services
                      other             purchased
                      categories        through Air
                      usually involve   Partner without
                      a cost penalty    penalty


    Quality           Robust internal   Robust internal   Comparable
    Assurance,        controls to       controls to       products
    Service and       assure premium    assure premium
    safety            quality,          quality,
                      service and       service and
                      safety            safety
                      standards         standards

(See Conklin & de Decker's full research report "Jet Cards Compared" at http://www.airpartner.com)

In summarising the 'Key Findings' of its research, independent aviation consultants Conklin and de Decker reported, "Air Partner and NetJets Europe offer a wide range of private air transportation services with their card programs. Both offer high levels of service and the ability to fly globally. Air Partner's JetCard pricing is inclusive, and avoids the unknown of the fuel cost adjustment that NetJets Europe (and most other providers) charge. Based on current pricing and policies, the Air Partner JetCard is the lower cost alternative to the NetJets Europe Private Jet Card."

Air Partner's Wheatley commented: "In today's 24 hour, global community, private jets can be a valuable business tool, enabling pressured individuals to create more time in their lives.   As stock markets rally and many economies show tentative signs of recovery, we expect to see increased growth in private jet usage - and this new generation of educated charter buyers will demand the uniquely flexible, client friendly, and value added proposition that Air Partner represents."

Air Partner is already seeing a shift away from fractional ownership, as jet users look for charter solutions that more closely match their travel programmes.  Air Partner's Wheatley explains: "Some 30% of Air Partner's new JetCard customers have transferred from rival fractional ownership schemes, and ad hoc charter is up more than 10% on last year.  Our products offer a full range of benefits to our customers, but they share one guiding principle that is unique to Air Partner - we don't spend one penny of our client's money until they choose to fly".

Aside from the key findings, other notable extracts from Conklin & de Decker's report include comments on pricing, flexibility, geographic reach and client service:

"Air Partner has strived to maintain a simple-to-understand and predictable cost structure."

"The Air Partner JetCard has no expiration of funds and offers a guaranteed refund of any unused funds. NetJets Europe does not offer the same guarantees and their stated term of service for their card is 12 months."

"Air Partner's JetCard is inclusive of the total cost of fuel - a rarity. NetJets Europe, like most card programs, charges a Fuel Cost Adjustment that can range up to €1,500 per flight hour, or more."

"For NetJets Europe flights outside the service area, there may be additional fees associated with positioning the aircraft for the trip, and perhaps added customs and airport fees."  

"The below table highlights some possible added charges:

           Added charge         Air Partner JetCard       NetJets Europe Private JetCard


    Catering                     Included in price           Extra for larger aircraft

    Fuel Cost Adjustment (FCA)   Included in price         Yes E650 to E1,900 estimated
    Additional Airport fees (in
      service area)              Included in price                      Yes
    Interchange/upgrade fee      Included in price                      Yes
    Ferry Fee (outside Service
      Area)                             Yes                             Yes
    Carbon Offset Available             Yes                             Yes

"For trips to/from the Middle East, it appears that Air Partner offers more destinations than NetJets Europe."

"The Air Partner JetCard offers a locally based account manager. The hours can also be used for one of Air Partner's other transportation services such as helicopter charter or limousines. NetJets Europe does not offer the same flexibility."

Air Partner supports transparency, openness and the provision of best practice customer service in the aviation industry. Other private jet products were asked to submit or provide information for this research but declined to do so.

20 May 2013

Notes to Editors

About Air Partner's JetCard

When developing their JetCard programme, Air Partner, the only aviation company to hold a Royal Warrant from HM Queen Elizabeth II, called on the Group's 50 year private aviation experience to create the best membership programme in the market today.  The result is a programme which provides all the benefits of existing cards, but is more flexible and firmly focused on clients' needs. Air Partner has been listed on the London Stock Exchange since 1989.  The company has no debt, is profitable, and updates stakeholders on financial progress four times per year. (http://www.airpartner.com)

About Conklin & de Decker

Conklin & de Decker's mission is to enable the general aviation industry to make more informed decisions when dealing with the purchase, operation and disposition of aircraft by furnishing objective and impartial information. With nearly 30 years in business, Conklin & de Decker is a leader in aviation research, consulting and education with offices in Massachusetts, Texas and Arizona. Founded in 1984, the company focuses on fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft operating costs, performance and specification databases, maintenance management software, financial management, fleet planning, market research, aviation tax issues, and financial, tax and management seminars. Conklin & de Decker consults with numerous individuals, corporations and government agencies worldwide. (http://www.conklindd.com)

Enquiries:

Air Partner, Private Jet Division (http://www.airpartner.com), +44(0)1293-844-788
Simon Wheatley (Simon.wheatley@airpartner.com)    

Temple Bar Advisory (PR advisor to Air Partner), +44(0)207-002-1080
Tom Allison (toma@templebaradvisory.com), +44(0)778-9998-020
Joanna Crawford (joannac@templebaradvisory.com), +44(0)777-6253-482