asked:


In concept, VLJ’s sem like the simple answer to the normally expensive nature of private charter jet service. They are cheap to buy (many being sold for under $2 million), cheap to operate and have a fairly decent range (over 1000 nm). So why haven’t they worked? Why isn’t air taxi service the new trend in mid-range air travel?

The basic answer is it’s still not cost effective and the normally standard amenities of a “business jet” are absent in a VLJ. The quick shutdown of DayJet LLC in Florida is a great example of the inability of the “air taxi” concept to make money. DayJet claimed they needed an additional profit of 40 million to stay in business. The soaring price of jet fuel (sometimes as high as $9/gallon) is also a major stumbling block to many pilots and Air taxi companies.

With regard to amenities, the VLJ’s are lacking. VLJ’s usually have no bathroom. If they do it’s usually covered by a curtain or is called an “emergency toilet”. I know for sure that I don’t want to use or watch someone use an emergency bathroom while on a 3 hour flight. Small cabins and lack of galley are other missing amenities that some business travelers cannot overlook.

Another major concern is safety. The biggest safety difference is that VLJ’s are only built to hold 1 pilot. If the pilot has any problems in the air, the whole aircraft has problems. How many business travelers are willing to take that risk.

VLJ’s are not the answer. The business jet market will probably stay out of reach for the everyday business traveler. With the number of newly rich coming on daily, the business jet market will see plenty of opportunity in it’s current market. Market expansion for the private jet market does not currently seem like a feasible opportunity.

John Czetto

http://www.jethookup.com



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