Jetpool introduces shared membership program.
Jetpool LLC, an aircraft management and acquisition company in North Carolina has ordered an undisclosed number of Freedom and Independence VLJ’s from Spectrum Aeronautical, which will lead them into the fractional market–with a twist.Though Jetpool is currently a “contracted flight department for companies and their employees,” CEO Ryan Stone says in a CharterX article, that the company plans to use its own fleet to enter the fractional jets market upon delivery of the aircraft in 2010 and 2011. But their program will allow a maximum of only four owners per plane, as opposed to the 16-owner cap of many popular fractional programs. That means each 25-percent-share owner is guaranteed 73 days to fly during the year. On days when the planes are not in use by owners, they will be available for on-demand air charter to offset costs.
Membership pricing has not been solidified, but is expected to run in the ballpark of $1 million, plus $10 thousand per month management fees, for a one-quarter share in the Independence; and nearly $2 million, plus nearly $15 thousand per month fees, for a one-quarter share of the Freedom.
Stone claims that the Jetpool plan will satisfy fractional owners by making their jets more readily available, and also because the Freedom and Independence both sport enclosed lavatories. (You mean, other jets don’t? So much for “private” flights!) He says Jetpool is targeting smaller companies who may not think they can otherwise afford private air travel.
