The private jet ”“ the preferred method of transportation for princes and presidents ”“ sells “personal.” It means skipping the security lines, alleviating lengthy airtime and lifting off in the lap of luxury.
“We do whatever they ask us to do,” says Linda Schiavone, charter manager at White Cloud Charter Inc. in White Plains. “We arrange everything from the pick-up to the hotels to the catering.”
“Walking the dog on the ramp,” adds Director of Operations John Madrachimov, a captain with more than 25 years of experience at high altitudes.
“Five-hundred-dollar bottles of wine,” interjects Schiavone.
The White Plains-based charter air company, which was acquired by Conair Corp. in 2007, is now in the process of relocating its hub of operations from Stamford, Conn., to Hangar G at the Westchester County Airport, which used to serve solely as the firm”™s maintenance office.
Regardless of recessionary cuts in expenditures, corporate travel appears strong.
“In this past economy, a lot of people who owned airplanes have sold them, but they”™re still the type of people who are not going to fly on the airlines,” Madrachimov said. “They”™re looking for a company that has a lot of experience, where there this a good maintenance staff and a good reputation.”
Aircraft management ranging from aircraft acquisitions to certification accounts only for about 25 percent of White Cloud”™s business.
Its sweet spot is transporting the likes of CEOs of major companies to sportscasters and stars. “I think they”™ve been flying more domestic,” Madrachimov said of charter activity. Nantucket and vacation destinations on the islands are popular picks during the summertime.
He added: “The international flying is expensive, but it is coming back.”
Typically, the strongest season for White Cloud is September through April. “That”™s when people do business,” Schiavone said. “In the summertime, they”™re on vacation.”
Charter air companies are vigilant of rising commercial fuel costs.
Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings cargo airline in Purchase reported first quarter aircraft fuel expenses increased 15 percent from first quarter last year to $74.2 million.
Industrywide, commercial charter fuel prices are up about 37 percent.
“It does have an impact as far as charter goes,” Madrachimov said. “Most companies are charging a fuel surcharge.” As of right now, White Cloud charges a flat rate per hour of air-charter service, which costs about $5,600 per hour on a Gulfstream IV flight and $6,000 per hour on a Gulfstream G-450.
Right now, the company employs 12 full-time pilots, 3 part-time pilots and about 10 mechanics overall. There are currently 7 passenger airplanes in its fleet.
Westchester County Airport reports a total of more than 70,000 corporate and charter flights annually. Many of those business travelers hail from neighboring Fairfield County, the Hudson Valley and New Jersey.
“The delays out of Teterboro are very extensive,” Madrachimov said. “We”™re seeing a lot of people from New York City taking a helicopter or driving up here in a limo.”
The U.S. Department of Transportation reported in its latest statistics that U.S. airlines carried 50.1 million domestic and international travelers this February, up 2.9 percent from last year.
