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Why South Florida is a Global Private Jet Hub

Why South Florida is a Global Private Jet Hub
Archives, Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily

Why South Florida is a Global Private Jet Hub

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Private aviation has set new records and greeted new customers during the past 18 months. The pandemic set the stage for this industry to flourish, behind its unparalleled flexibility, comfort, and safety standards. Yet, there is one place that has registered a steady increase in demand well beyond the past three years, truly positioning as one of the top private jet hubs in the world – South Florida.

Welojets, a Miami-based air charter company, projects that South Florida’s strategic location, proximity to the Caribbean and Latin America, and established routes to New York, will continue playing a major role in driving demand. A mix of variables, as Martin Baldoma Jones says, CEO of Welojets, is the main reason behind South Florida’s ascent to one of the top business aviation hubs in the world. 

“Weather and beaches aside, South Florida has a handful of executive airports that constantly top national rankings in terms of movements. The number of private aircraft based in the region also helps, as well as the proximity to the Caribbean and the recent relocation of many cold-weather Canadians and Americans. South Florida is set to thrive for years to come.” 

Private jet airports

According to 2021 data from Argus TraqPak, five of the top 25 executive airports in the U.S. were based in South Florida: Palm Beach, Miami-Opa Locka, Naples, Fort Lauderdale Executive, and Fort Lauderdale International. 

Additionally, 2022 data from WingX positions Palm Beach as the main terminal with almost 34,000 movements to date in the region, followed by Miami-Opa Locka with almost 23,000, Miami International Airport (11,000) and Miami Executive Airport close to the downtown with roughly 5,000 movements. The same data shows that South Florida has increased 11% versus last year in number of flights (73,000) and 13% in flight hours. 

Private jet routes and aircraft

In terms of routes, it is widely known that the South Florida – New York connection is one of the main in the country throughout the year. In fact, Palm Beach – New York leads the list of all departing flights from South Florida with almost 4,400 movements during 2022, while Miami – New York comes in close at second place with nearly 4,100. 

The Bahamas is the main international destination from South Florida, with almost 5,000 movements in 2022, followed by Mexico and Canada.

In terms of types of aircraft in the South Florida sky, the super midsize jet segment leads the way with more than 18,000 operations in 2022, while heavy jets and light jets have roughly 11,700 movements apiece. 

Although Teterboro is probably the world’s most coveted private aviation airport, which also has a good connection to Europe, South Florida’s demand diversity, short and long range, has been the perfect foundation to establish as one of the top private jet hubs in the world, with the Caribbean also playing an important role as a demand driver. The global business aviation market, from aircraft manufacturers to operators and brokers, should continue expecting big things from South Florida during the foreseeable future.

About Welojets

WELOJETS is a global air mobility company, with offices in Miami, Buenos Aires, and Madrid. We have a great team, focused on offering the best charter flights anywhere in the world including private jets, cargo, airliners, helicopters, and medical flights. We work with competitive pricing and maximum safety standards and provide a tailor-made concierge experience to each one of our customers.

 

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Airports, Archives, Commentary, Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily

2021 BizAv Recap: Looking Back On a Great Year for Private Aviation

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Alina Gavrushenko, Director of Marketing and Public Relations for Monarch Air Group, shares her thoughts on the industry’s historic year, fueled by its resiliency and superior flexibility.

How Private Aviation Increased Demand

When your sales increase by more than 120% compared to 2020 it is safe to say you’ve had a good year. That was the case for Monarch Air Group in 2021, which saw record figures for domestic movements in the US. This was also true for major players in the industry, powered by commercial aviation’s inefficiency during the pandemic and a change in expectations by passengers, who started to seek a safer and more efficient way of travel, with reduced touchpoints and reliable service.

With commercial aviation almost entirely grounded during the early stages of 2021, private aviation was the go-to option for those in need of travel. Record figures were established every month of 2021, with Florida unsurprisingly leading the way as the state with the most movements. Furthermore, this increased demand registered a clear shift in the type of aircraft that was booked, with light and midsize jets soaring through the skies instead of larger heavy aircraft.

Smaller jets in the sky

The previous trend is explained by the rise in domestic travel, which demands shorter routes and less passengers in each flight. In fact, since early 2021 for Monarch Air Group, 55% percent of chartered private jets have been light or midsized, compared to only 14% of super-midsize and larger aircraft. Turboprops also were a top option thanks to their versatility and reduced operational costs, accounting for 27% of all charter bookings for the year.

Interestingly enough, although international charter travel has yet to reach pre-Covid levels, for Monarch Air Group that was not entirely the case. The reason? Based in Fort Lauderdale, the Caribbean is roughly two hours away from South Florida and can be reached by a wide variety of aircraft, especially those with a cost-efficient operation. Our main destination from the US to the Caribbean during 2021 was The Bahamas, followed by Turks and Caicos Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, and the Dominican Republic.

The rise of first-time private jet flyers

The increase in demand due to the pandemic resulted in an all-time high of first-time private flyers. The majority of them were previous commercial passengers that opted for the shift thanks to safety and reliability. Private aviation meant for them a flexible means of transportation, without crowds and the usual airport hassle, and far away from potential virus infection thanks to a controlled preflight and post-flight travel experience. This showcases a big opportunity and challenge for the entire industry as we need to understand how to continuously meet the expectations of the new consumers while exceeding those of the frequent fliers. It is a great place to be, if you ask me…

Late 2021 also registered a rise in leisure private travel to places with warm weather. After more than two years of lockdown, people felt the need of a well-deserved reboot and travel is, as usual, the perfect medicine. Snowbirds flying from Canada and New York to South Florida started to pick up before Thanksgiving and bookings for Christmas and New Year are an important trend these days that demonstrates the good health of the industry.

Furthermore, as vaccination drives continue increasing worldwide and travel restrictions are lifted, the need for face-to-face business will regain shape sooner than later. This trend started in late 2021 within the US but is projected to also continue in the international charter realm, especially for transatlantic flights. Although the rise of new variants might pause that possibility in the countries that are most impacted. That is definitely something to constantly track.

In summary, 2021 was a great year for private aviation. The industry learned how to adapt to the pandemic at the early stages, and then to thrive thanks to its characteristic flexibility, safety, and diversification. At Monarch Air Group, we expect this rise to continue as, in a way, the industry as a whole has passed the test with flying colors, demonstrating its added value and how its incomparable to commercial aviation in regard to customization, reliability and safety. We will continue to position the needs of our passengers in the core of our bottom line, as there is no other possible way to lead a sustained trust-based relationship with our diverse stakeholders.

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Air Cargo, Archives, Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily

How Tech and Innovation has Propelled the Private Jet Industry to New Heights

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Do you need to book a last-minute private jet flight from your phone using cryptocurrency?

Leading private jet companies like Monarch Air Group have understood that investing in technology in this shared economy is instrumental to serve a technology-driven pool of customers. As President David Gitman stated, “having the capacity to adapt to customer expectations and behaviors will lead to higher levels of trust and satisfaction.” In other words, being able to meet the needs of today’s dynamic and fast-paced environment is paramount for the long-term success of the entire private jet industry. And technology is the key for that relationship.

The Fort Lauderdale-based firm was one of the first in the industry to accept digital currencies to book their charter flights. This came as a response to their client’s needs, an extremely fast-shifting group of customers. “The days when private aviation only served large corporations and multimillionaires are long gone. Today, with the rise of the millennials and the need for more reliable and safe ways of transportation, private aviation is experiencing a true shift in demand. Adapting to those new requirements is our commitment”, said Gitman.

From market research to booking apps and instant quoting systems, the business aviation market is using all available tools to understand what drives clients towards their service. Do they travel for business or pleasure? What is the best way to stay connected with each client and receive feedback? All these questions give relevant information to improve customer service and satisfaction and make each passenger’s flight highly tailored and unique.

A fast-paced environment

The flexibility and agility of private aviation are also represented in the capacity to adapt to new technologies and innovations. Tailoring every aspect of the experience to the customer and making passengers really feel in control of their flight process defines private jet flight. Choosing the departure and landing point, the aircraft, in-flight amenities, ground transportation and method of payment is only possible thanks to technology.

Although planes are fast, time efficiency can be affected if the right equipment is not in place to serve the passengers. Innovative live quoting tools, instant bookings, and cryptocurrency-based payments lead the way today. Monarch Air Group launched a unique charter cost calculator to provide users a faster and easier way to receive a quote. Once users are prompted to select, they can decide on an option depending on the distance and desired aircraft type. Upon making their selection, the user’s flight request is then submitted to a group of Account Executives who will assist clients in finalizing their travel plans in just minutes.

This technology-driven booking functionality enables customers to make all their travel arrangements on their phone, also providing text or chat, video conference, and even video messaging features to connect with the client.

High expectations

Entrepreneurs are gaining relevance within this segment and expect charter companies to move as fast as their businesses. They need the aircraft ready after they book it through the smartphone in their pockets and do not want more steps in the process, like confirmation phone calls (they prefer text, video, or even email), and possible last-minute setbacks. They also have a need for a quiet in-flight experience. Their aircraft must be equipped with the latest technology to provide a working space along with a relaxed atmosphere.

Their fast-paced world is well paired with private air travel. Time efficiency is this sector’s main asset. Take-off in minutes after arriving at the terminal with no check-in lines and landing at the private airport that is closest to the destination. Private aviation adapts completely to a business environment where time is money.

“The need to exceed expectations is paramount as well as understanding the dynamic trends developing at unparalleled speed. The technology within this industry is second to none, from a user standpoint (booking and payment) and a safety and maintenance perspective. Accounting all these variables will help us deliver an all-around exceptional service”, concludes Gitman.

Modern aircraft and top-notch facilities are important, although an agile business model will be the difference-maker in today’s economy. Technology, innovation, and flexibility will. Paying for a flight on the spot with cryptocurrencies, credit, or debit cards are solutions driven by technology, although remaining flexible to the client’s requests and working towards solutions instead of excuses is driven by superior customer service; pairing both aspects will lead this industry to achieve new heights.

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Air Cargo, Archives, Global Trade Daily

Global Private Jet Predictions after COVID-19

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The global pandemic has changed the way we travel. Concerns regarding the hygiene of commercial aircraft and how crowded terminals may play a role in the transmission of the virus have taken the aviation industry by storm. Today, six months after the initial reports of coronavirus cases in the western hemisphere, there are enough trends to project how the aviation industry will behave in a post-pandemic environment. Private air charter solutions company Monarch Air Group weighs in.

Change of perception for private aviation

Before the coronavirus pandemic, the majority of the population still perceived private aviation as a luxurious means of transportation reserved only for the wealthy. With a change in travel restrictions and growing safety concerns, this segment has started to serve a new pool of travelers seeking a reliable and secure way to fly, far away from the concerns of a commercial flight. It is possible that not all of them will continue flying private when they find out commercial aviation is safe once again (whenever that might be in the future), although some of them might continue flying at least on an occasional basis. This change in perception only benefits the industry as a whole.

Turboprops have demonstrated their value

Linked to the previous topic, turboprops, as the most cost-effective option for a private flight, has been the go-to option for most new travelers in this segment. Especially for shorter routes of less than 3 hours, single and twin-engine turboprops serve as the perfect transition from commercial aviation. Passengers get to use a private terminal, they escape the crowded airports, they get to choose who they travel with, enjoy a comfortable aircraft and almost at half the price than a small jet. Turboprops like the Pilatus PC12N and the King Air 350i have demonstrated their real value as private air workhorses and will continue to do so in the foreseeable future.

Diversification as a safety net

The flexibility of private aviation has been a coveted asset worth paying for. The possibility to depart from almost any airport and to choose from thousands of different aircraft at any moment is second to none. Nevertheless, the global pandemic has demonstrated that private aviation also provides flexibility to the global travel industry, and not only to the private passenger, having served governments with repatriation flights, humanitarian missions, and cargo charters. This diversification has also allowed the different players in the industry to maintain the number of operations and flight hours, proving that the flexibility of this market goes way beyond luxury.

Carbon footprint discussion

Private aviation has been publicly scrutinized due to its carbon footprint compared to commercial aviation, even though leading private air companies have implemented programs to offset the carbon emission. While the amount of fuel burnt by a private jet is a lot less than a commercial aircraft, and therefore CO2 emitted is also a lot lower, private planes carry fewer people, sometimes even one per route, meaning they’re considerably less efficient, and the personal carbon footprint of passengers who choose to travel this way is much higher. The previous discussion has come to a standstill amidst the coronavirus pandemic (and probably will continue this way), because the main concern today is maximizing safety (avoid infection), while maintaining high levels of efficiency, something that commercial aviation cannot guarantee in the near future.

Full recovery of the market

While diversification is a great asset, the core demand of this industry is generated by business trips, sporting events, weddings, and overall leisure. Although Monarch Air Group has reported a sustainable growth in demand during the last two months, until the aforementioned events don’t regain full shape, it is hard to determine when full recovery of the market will occur, because they all depend on local restrictions.

Private aviation has passed the test imposed by COVID-19 by demonstrating its diverse pool of services, its safety and cost-efficiency, demystifying what so many commercial passengers thought before experiencing this service, positioning itself as a more approachable and accessible means of transportation. It is safe to say that private aviation will have a higher and more diverse demand than before the outbreak, fueled by new clients that have recognized that flexibility, safety, dependability, and superior customer service doesn’t necessarily mean a higher price.

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Established in 2006, Monarch Air Group is a leading provider of on-demand private jet charter, aircraft management, and long-term aircraft lease. Among Monarch’s customers are Fortune 500 corporations, leading entrepreneurs, Government agencies, and world-leading NGO’s.