Kansas-based Airshare is moving into the Sunshine State as it begins selling fractional shares and jet cards here.
Airshare is setting up shop in Florida as it plans to double its fleet over the next several years, including possible acquisitions.
The Lenexa, Kansas-based operator offers fractional shares in the Challenger 350/3500 and Phenom 300, jet cards on the Phenom 300, and aircraft management.
Its 20,955 flight hours in 2022 moved it to the ninth-largest private jet operator in the U.S. based on charter and fractional flight hours.
The company operates nationwide and internationally. Customers avoid repositioning fees if they fly to or from airports within 120 nautical miles of about a dozen major cities from Denver to Toronto, primarily in the Midwest and Texas.
Airshare CEO John Owen says one in seven flights was already taking off or landing in Florida. Many current customers have second homes and businesses in the state.
Opening up Florida for local customers also means flights from Florida to or from East Coast destinations, the Caribbean, and Mexico will no longer have repositioning fees.
“Strategically, we have been setting the stage for expansion into this region for the last few years. We recognize the unique needs of business and leisure travelers here and will deliver flexible private travel experiences while consistently providing best-in-class service,” Owen tells Private Jet Card Comparisons.
Airshare’s jet cards and fractional programs each use a days-based model.
Its Embark jet card gives access for 10 days. Shares start at 20 days of access.
The program’s structure favors flyers who make multiple stops or longer flights on their access days.
For example, if you averaged five hours of flying on your 20 days, a 1/16th-share, you would have flown 100 hours, equal to needing a 1/8th-share in a traditional fractional program.
Last year Airshare said it was retiring the Phenom 100s from its programs.
It currently has 54 aircraft split between its fractional program and management.
Plans call for doubling the fleet through organic growth and acquisitions of management companies.
It will add four more Challenger 350/3500s this year and five more in both 2024 and 2025.
It currently has six of the Bombardier super midsize jets.
In addition to cards and shares, it will also be looking for management contracts in its latest region.
Airshare’s Florida move comes less than two weeks after Pilatus PC-12 turboprop operator Tradewind Aviation said it would open a base for its jet card here.
