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August 2009 Industry Update
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Message from the President
Dear Colleagues,
Over $2 billion has been invested into next-generation air taxi aircraft and companies worldwide. According to recent analysis from FlightAware, air charter numbers are down while next-generation air taxi numbers are.up significantly year-over-year. How can that be in this economic climate? These aircraft and innovative air taxi companies provide a greater value: lower cost, direct flights.
How great is the value proposition? At the start of September, I'm taking an EASA certified Embraer Phenom 100 flight to Iceland and onward to Europe. This incredible aircraft will complement the dozens of fuel-efficient, very light jets already operated across Europe. The fuel efficiency of these new jets is unparalleled and the value proposition unstoppable.
Do even major airlines see an opportunity for industry growth? Yes. Later in the month, I am returning to Europe for the third annual VLJ Europe conference at Oxford Airport. Last week, British Airways provided me complementary round-trip tickets to this event through their "Faces of Opportunity" program because of their belief in the value of this endeavor. British Airways clearly recognizes how complementary the air taxi business is to their cause in advancing travel.
So what's next? After a long pause, there is now a flurry of new investment activity into new air taxi companies and next-generation aircraft manufacturers. At the dawn of recovery, people invest where they see the potential for higher returns. Be on the lookout for more great news from industry leaders in the month ahead.
Best regards,
Joe Leader
President, Air Taxi Association (ATXA) |
FlightAware July 2009 General Aviation Report
FlightAware
According to FlightAware's proprietary flight tracking database, general aviation (GA) flight activity has increased by 5.0% in July 2009 compared to June 2009, and has decreased by 6.3% in July 2009 compared to July 2008. The biggest change in activity was led by charter operators with a 25.2% increase in activity during July 2009 compared to June 2009.
The airport with the largest significant gain in GA traffic for the month of July 2009 was Nantucket Memorial in Nantucket, MA with a gain of 52.6%, contrasted by the airport with the biggest significant drop in traffic, which was Vero Beach Muni in Vero Beach, FL with a loss of 26.8%. Year over year, the airport with the largest significant gain in GA traffic for July 2009 was Barnstable Muni in Hyannis, MA with an increase of 7.1%, but the biggest drop in GA traffic was found at Indianapolis Intl in Indianapolis, IN with a decrease of 27.3%.
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Very Light Jets the Future of Aviation
WKOWOTV.com
The image of a private jet, in most people's minds, is one of excess. Of pampered and pompous CEOs traveling in style while their companies go down in flames. But, that image is about to be turned on its head by a company that got it's start in Baraboo.
"The jet behind me is a personal jet." says Dale Klapmeier, co-founder of Cirrus, "It's designed with the owner in the front right seat."
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Security Changes Coming to Airports
Allyson Bird, The Post and Courier
Travelers who wonder why airlines need gender and date of birth to book flights starting this weekend should know this: It's so the federal government can check them against terrorist watch lists faster than most people can read this paragraph.
Or that's the idea, at least.
The Transportation Security Administration on Saturday will roll out the second phase of its Secure Flight program, which transfers the responsibility of screening passengers from airlines to the federal government.
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New Charter Air Service to Launch Today Out of Mobile Regional Airport
Jeff Amy, AL.com
For people wanting more local air travel options, a charter plane operator and a travel agent have a deal — pay more and we'll fly you door-to-door.
Springdale Travel and Charter Services Inc. will launch their "Mobile Direct" service today with a demonstration flight from Mobile Regional Airport to Birmingham, according to officials with both companies.
The idea, said Charter Services owner Bobby Marks, is to sell individual seats on his eight-seat Cessna Citation jets so people don't have to cover the entire cost of a private flight. The venture will serve airports within 1,500 miles of Mobile, the range of the jets.
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NCflyPorts Program Offers Alternative Way to Travel
Jim Lisk, The Stanly News and Press
Long lines at the check-in counter and at security check points plus the all-too-often delayed flight can be a frustrating experience for today’s busy travelers at major airports across the country.
To reduce the hassle of traveling for business or pleasure, the Albemarle-Stanly County Airport has joined with 11 other airports in North Carolina as part of the NCflyPorts program, a service that allows flying on your schedule, on your terms, and on demand.
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Cirrus Aircraft Names Pat Waddick Chief Operating Officer
Aero-News Network
Cirrus Aircraft has named Patrick Waddick the Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer. Previously, Mr. Waddick served as Executive Vice President of Operations at Cirrus. The announcement was made last Thursday.
Brent Wouters, Cirrus Aircraft President and CEO, commented "For many years now Pat's significant contributions to Cirrus have been instrumental to our success. Time and again Pat has delivered on-budget and on-schedule results within our major development and manufacturing programs. As COO, his increased role and scope of responsibility come at an ideal time as we transition the Vision Jet from strictly an Research and Development project into detailed design and initial preparation for serial production. It's fair to say that the entire Cirrus Aircraft community - our customers, employees, shareholders and partners - are going to benefit from Pat's leadership in his new position."
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GAO Urges Congress to Review Essential Air Service Program
Eliza Villarino, Targeted News Service
The Government Accountability Office called on Congress to re-examine the Essential Air Service program to make it more sustainable and effective.
Under the program, the Transportation Department provides subsidies to air carriers to serve communities that would otherwise not have scheduled service.
"For many communities, the EAS program provides a valuable connection to the national transportation network," said Gerald L. Dillingham, director of GAO's physical infrastructure team.
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LABACE 2009: Buoyant Brazil Takes the Latin American Spotlight
John Croft, Flightglobal
Estimates of a 4% growth rate for Latin American business aviation in the coming decade could prove too conservative, given the optimism expressed by airframers and operators preparing for this year's LABACE Latin American business aviation convention and exhibition in São Paulo, Brazil.
Much of the confidence comes from activity in Brazil, the locus of business aviation activity in a region that spans from Mexico in the north to Argentina and Chile to the south. Not only has Brazil's economy stayed fairly robust while the USA and others have tanked, it also has a development magnet in the 2014 soccer World Cup to help it develop a long-term aviation infrastructure that will be friendly to business jet travellers coming from across the globe.
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Eclipse Sale Expected Next Week
AVweb
Any buyers interested in the assets of Eclipse Aviation must put in a bid with the federal bankruptcy court by the end of this week, or the sale will go to the current high bidder, Eclipse Aerospace, which has made an offer of $40 million, the Associated Press reported this week. If other qualified bidders appear, an auction will be held as early as next week. If no one else bids, Eclipse Aerospace would close the deal by the end of this month. The owners of Eclipse Aerospace, Mike Press and Mason Holland, have said they would keep the company in Albuquerque, provide service and upgrades for the current fleet, and eventually restart production. Both are owners of Eclipse jets. The Eclipse Owners Group, which at one time was also seeking control of the company assets, has abandoned its effort and now supports Eclipse Aerospace.
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Phenom 100 Gets Interior Changes; Flap Fix in the Works
Thomas A. Horne, AOPA Online
Embraer announced a new cabin seating design for its Phenom 100 business jet. The changes include new retractable armrests that increase width just above the center-trench level from the original 8.15 inches to a wider, 13.58-inch dimension—with the armrests deployed. At the headrest level, aisle width has been increased from 13.38 inches to 20.21 inches. Premium, swiveling seats are now available as an option on Phenom 100s. In addition, the Phenom 100’s airstair door now has two optional features: step lights, and telescopic tubes that give the door more structural support when it’s open.
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New Adam Aircraft Owner Evaluating Options
Mark Huber, AINonline
The new owner of Adam Aircraft said this week at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wis., that he plans to decide whether to place a modified version of the A500 push-pull twin into production by year-end. Triton America CEO Thomas Hseuh quietly purchased the assets of Adam Aircraft from its Russian investment group in late April and moved all 120 cargo containers of computers, milling centers, machine tooling, jigs and parts from Englewood, Colo., to his base in Anacortes, Wash.
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