ET Insider – September 12, 2006

Elite Traveler Insider – Private Jet Demand Strong at All Ends, Wealthy Alumni Attend College Games via Private Jet

September 12, 2006

By Douglas D. Gollan, President and Editor-in-Chief, Elite Traveler, the private jet lifestyle magazine

Welcome to the latest issue of Elite Traveler Insider, the bi-weekly newsletter designed to update our top partners on trends in the private jet lifestyle. This information is provided to offer a better understanding of how to target these globetrotting elite travelers, their impact on your business and other trends that affect you. Remember, that private jet travelers are paying up to $10,000 per hour to fly by private jet, so these super rich consumers could be and should be your best customer. We talk about them and how you can get more of them and more from them.

1. Private Jet Demand Strong at All Ends.
2. Notre Dame Expands Private Jet Parking.
3. India Adapts Private Jet Lifestyle.
4. Russians Fly By Private Jet to Indian Ocean Resorts.
5. Win Five Hours of Private Jet Travel Free.

Private Jet Demand Strong at All Ends..

It’s been a month since the London-based liquid terrorism plot was broken up, but The Financial Times reports private jet firms have not seen any slacking after a sharp rise in demand. Executives and the rich are still looking for ways to avoid crowded airports and tight security restrictions.

 

Those in the U.S. private jet business said that interest in memberships spiked immediately after the incident in London with the interest translating into sales.

 

Delta AirElite, a subsidiary of Delta Air Lines, said bookings were up about 30 percent from the same time last year. Delta AirElite said call volumes were running 70 percent higher since August 10.

 

Steve Hankin, CEO of Sentient, a membership-based private jet company, said revenues at his company were up 150 percent from the previous year.

 

Of course, sales of full jets are booming too. Gulfstream, whose private jets range up to $40 million per jet, sold 89 jets in 2005 and expects to sell 111 this year, a 24 percent rise.

” I always make sure the magazines are in my view. What an amazing magazine. I look forward to each new issue; the covers alone are something to look at. – Camela Hollin – Galaxy Aviation, Palm Beach, FL

 Notre Dame Expands Private Jet Parking 

At Notre Dame University, where the college-football tradition of Knute Rockne, the Four Horsemen and the Gipper has a mythic aura, alumni and fans have long filled the stadium and packed hotels within 50 miles on Saturday game days.

 

In recent years, however, parking space has become a problem.  We mean of course, parking space for Notre Dame’s rich alums that come to games aboard their private jets.  Sensitive to the fact that these private jet owners are also big financial contributors, the regional airport has added parking space for up to 100 more private jets.  For last weekend’s game against PennState more than 250 private jets were expected, so despite the expansion, space will still be tight.

 

And of course, whenever the Irish fans want a break from football talk, our BPA audited circulation means there will be plenty of copies of Elite Traveler so they can pick out ways to celebrate the victory!

 

“Our clients enjoy reading the magazine cover to cover. They enjoy the high quality and look forward to the Hotel, Spa and Resort issues which are an extra perk”   – Jeanette Wuisman – Landmark Aviation, Dallas, TX

India Adapts Private Jet Lifestyle.

For years, the thought of traveling by air in India brought shudders to the most seasoned of travelers.  However, for the Super Rich, air travel in India now means private jets. The champagne is ready to be uncorked and there’s Beluga caviar on board for the maiden flight of a remodeled Boeing jet plane. The plane, with sofas and reclining chairs, looks more like a living room than the interior of an aircraft. As it takes off, the guests applaud and soon an immaculately dressed airhostess serves Moet & Chandon. Rock music plays in the background. The plane cost upwards of $50 million and belongs to a Mumbai-based millionaire who does not want to be named.

 

 

Welcome to the world of the new jet-setters. Owning a plane or helicopter has got to be one of life’s greatest indulgences. It separates the Mass Affluent who save for a year to buy that LV handbag from the seriously rich who have a closet full of LV bags, plus Dior and Fendi and everything else. And now, India has a whole new bunch of jet-setters who’ve entered this uber-exclusive world, joining media bigwigs like the Bhartias (Shobhana Bhartia recently flew to a wedding in Chennai), and business tycoons like the Ambanis.  

 

Currently, there are over 70 private jets based in India, an increase of 400 percent in five years. Bombardier Learjet even set up operations in Mumbai earlier this year with the hopes of selling even more. Since February it already sold four jets in Delhi and Mumbai.  Reports say two of the planes were $50 million + Global Express’ which can fly from India to South Africa, Europe or Hawaii nonstop.  

 

For those who want the luxury of flying private but can’t afford a whole plane, there’s the fractional ownership model promoted by Delhi-based Club One Air. MD Manav Singh has 25 committed members who’ve bought flying hours from him.

 

However, the fractional model is also attracting wealthy Indians who just can’t wait:  To buy an aircraft, first you need to apply to the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), and explain why you need a plane. Next comes clearance from the Home Ministry and finally, the approval of the IB and CBI. The process can take a year. Karan Singh has started a company, Indo Pacific Pvt Ltd, to cater to private players who want to avoid the hassle of cumbersome paperwork.

 

 

For those elite travelers flying to or within India, Elite Traveler is there with BPA audited distribution in over 90 countries worldwide.

 

“Its a fabulous magazine to travel with, especially if you’re at a location tha was featured in the magazine.

– Meredith Hunter – American Flight Services, Bryan, TX

Russians Fly By Private Jet to Indian Ocean Resorts

While private jet travel among the rich is booming, and the size of their homes seems to be getting bigger, The National Association of Home Builders’ index for U.S. sales of new, single-family homes fell in August to 32, its lowest point since

 

The Middle East and the US are high growth areas for private jets, as is Russia.  And these countries are offering better access to high-end resort destinations for the super rich who can afford to fly by private jet.

 

 

“We are taking the first steps into a deeper feasibility study by participating in such high profile events (as Russian Luxury Fairs), and testing the possibility of having a permanent presence in Russia,” explained His Excellency Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Chairman Royal Jet which is based in Dubai.

 

 

The strategic initiative aims to test the key Russian market, where clients are not only seeking services to the Middle East but beyond – particularly to the Maldives and the Seychelles.  Prince & Associates reports that last year, private jet owners spent over $400,000 each at hotels, resorts and spas so money for this group is clearly not an object.

 

“Russia is a very important market for Royal Jet as the demand for luxury aviation services is increasing dramatically,” said Sheikh Hamdan.  “The UAE is strategically placed to supply the Russian market as it is only four hours flying time from Moscow, and provides an excellent hub for multiple international destinations.”

 

“I’m always in awe of the jewelry it’s breath taking” -Javona Perkins – BusinessJetCenter, Oakland, CA

 

Win Five Hours of Private Jet Travel Free.

September marks the 5th Anniversary of Elite Traveler, the private jet lifestyle magazine. To celebrate, we are offering you the chance to win five hours of private jet travel for you and up to five friends!

 

Join the party and see if you can win.  Go to www.elitetraveler.com/contest and happy flying!

 

“Very beautiful magazine, our CEO’S wife loves it when the new shipments arrive, it’s her favorite magazine” – Ronn Nelson – Northwestern Mutual Air, Operations Milwaukee, WI