Alliance Aviation, a charter and jet card broker affiliated with Part 135 operator Wing Aviation Group, is upping the battle for JetSuite’s SuiteKey jet card customers. JetSuite filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last week after grounding its fleet.
We are happy to extend this no upfront fee option as a way to impress a new customer group
– Kevin Wargo, CEO, Alliance Aviation
The promotional offer follows discounted deals from broker OneFlight International and yesterday’s announcement from private jet operator FlyExclusive.
Both the OneFlight and FlyExclusive require paying non-refundable membership fees or deposits ranging from $50,000 to over $100,000. Alliance Aviation is taking a pay-as-you-go approach.
JetSuite jet card members get a straight 10% discount off Alliance’s standard member jet card rates. Terms include guaranteed availability with just eight hours’ notice.
The light jet one-way hourly rate is 4,995. Alliance offers fixed-rate, guaranteed availability on light, midsize, super-midsize, and two categories of large jets, guaranteeing either 10 or 14 seats. Daily minimums are 90 minutes.
Last month, Alliance launched a separate jet card offering with discounted rates requiring a $50,000 deposit. Normally, its cards require the full deposit and start at 25 hours.
Wing Aviation lists three Gulfstream GIVs and a Beechcraft Hawker 800XP on its website.
The companies were launched last year by former Dumont Aviation executives, including Christopher Tasca who directed the latter’s ProspAir and Santos jet card programs.
Alliance operates from Rhode Island, Orlando, and Stuart, Florida. The group also includes Encore Plane Parts. Kevin Wargo, who was CEO of Dumont, is CEO of the group. Other alums in senior roles include Amber Martin and Tom Lomakin.
Alliance rates are not the lowest of the JetSuite rescue offers. However, the pay-as-you-go approach may appeal to many of the approximate 1,000 SuiteKey members. They cumulatively stand to lose $50 million in flight credits. JetSuite did not have an escrow account trading on its backing from JetBlue and Qatar Airways.
Wing Aviation recently added 25,000 square feet in hangar space at Stuart in addition to its 18,000 square feet parts warehouse in Orlando. Wing plans to have 10 of the GIVs and Hawker 800XPs under management by end of the year.
Speaking to Private Jet Card Comparisons, Wargo said, “Many membership companies are keen on receiving large upfront deposits. However, our focus is on quality service, on every trip, so we are happy to extend this no upfront fee option as a way to impress a new customer group.”
He added, “Our growing fleet of aircraft, that we own and operate will handle the majority of there flying. This will allow our customers to see our full-service operation.”
