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Gumbo · Guest

JetDirect Aviation: A Next-Generation Empire
14-Sep-2006
By Karen Di Piazza

Private aircraft management firm JetDirect Aviation, LLC, Berwyn, Pa., has
acquired several charter, fixed-base operations and maintenance providers
across the country. To help manage its business, and to continue acquiring
more companies, JetDirect brought in Brantley Partners, HSBC and AIG as
equity partners.

On Sept. 1 JetDirect acquired the assets of Spirit Aviation Inc., a Part 135
charter and Part 145 maintenance provider headquartered at Van Nuys Airport
(VNY), California, with three additional bases at McClellan Airport (MCC) in
Sacramento, Calif., San Carlos Airport (SQL), San Carlos, Calif. and
Westchester County Airport (HPN), White Plains, N.Y.

Last week, Sept. 7, Jet Direct acquired the assets of Regal Aviation Inc., a
Part 135 operator and FBO at Dallas Love Field (DAL) in Texas, which both
Aviation International News and ProPilot magazines ranked as one of the top
2006 FBO providers in the country.

"With the addition of Regal Aviation, it has increased JetDirect's combined
charter fleet to 64 aircraft, including light jets to long-range heavy
jets," said Gregory Campbell, chairman and CEO of JetDirect.

David MacDonald, former president and CEO of Regal, now director of flight
operations of JetDirect, says in the near future they will double the amount
of aircraft--all under JetDirect's name. Right now, though, they are waiting
for the Federal Aviation Administration to consolidate all the aircraft onto
one certificate, which can't happen fast enough for JetDirect.

"We're now a force to be reckoned with--on a national scale," MacDonald
said. "We're currently letting our existing customers know how we'll be
investing in continuous improvements and we're inviting new customers into
our ranks. In the next 12 months, we'll continue strengthening our
infrastructure to capitalize on our breadth, launch new products and exploit
market opportunities. Currently, JetDirect's family of operators performs
more than 100 flights a day."

Taking a closer look, you begin to see how significant all of this is.
Acquisitions of this magnitude, such as with JetDirect, which will be able
to service regions in Mexico, Europe and the Caribbean, is bane for small
charter operators in U.S. that are struggling to stay alive. It's apparent
that the air charter industry is consolidating. Many industry experts have
predicted that the only way to survive in today's charter market is to
consolidate, and then offer consistent global services. MacDonald, too,
believes that's a true assessment.

"The industry will see more of this; we'll be taking a lead role in it,
too," he said. "With more than 3,000 operators across the U.S., the
customer sees little consistency in product delivery."

He said that with too many product offerings, customers aren't always
receiving a high-level of service.

"Many programs are seen as a commodity," he explained. "Those who fit that
description are having trouble making their margins and retaining their
customers. JetDirect brings a unique product to the market that helps us
operate a profitable business, while growing market share. We think big and
act local.

"No other offering will deliver that kind of consistency through all aspects
of a given travel or jet operation experience--sales, flight preparation,
dispatch, FBO, maintenance and aircraft management. That's comforting to the
private jet market. We'll also be able to address procurement in volume, so
that, for example, insurance can be structured at the highest level."

He said that JetDirect offers on-demand charter, jet membership and jet
ownership programs. JetDirect has also acquired FBO JetCorp at Spirit St.
Louis Airport (SUS), Chesterfield, Mo. and Summit Aviation at Republic
Airport (FRG), Farmingdale, N.Y.

"The buzz we've stirred up has been as exciting as the opportunities we're
creating," MacDonald said.

John Mazor · Guest

I hope you aren't billing clients for this, posting their news releases on
Internet newsgroups.

Not only would that be unethical, it's pretty stupid. Nobody gives a damn,
but even worse, it's about as welcome as any other type of spam and
generates the same reaction.

"Gumbo" <Gumbo_toao1 (AT) removehotmail (DOT) com> wrote in message
news:qRlPg.4735$_r.183 (AT) newsfe16 (DOT) lga...