September 12, 2024
Fractional operator PlaneSense will add five Pilatus PC-24s and six PC-12s in 2024. By year’s end, it will have 58 of the Swiss-made aircraft.
Pilatus operator PlaneSense will expand the primary service area for its PC-24 program nationally by the end of Q2 2024.
During the National Business Aviation Association annual conference in Las Vegas, the fractional operator’s CEO, George Antoniadis, tells Private Jet Card Comparisons the national PSA is already included in contracts.
He says the expansion of the PSA could come even earlier.
Within the PSA, flyers only pay for occupied hours and don’t have repositioning charges.
The move comes as the New Hampshire-based operator expands its MRO facilities located in Nevada, tripling space to around 40,000 square feet and expanding support staff.
It also has rapid response maintenance vehicles to support faster repairs to aircraft when they have mechanical issues away from the base.
Antoniadis says the increased support represents a multi-million investment.
By the end of the year, PlaneSense will have 13 of the twin-engine PC-24s in its fleet and 45 of PC-12s.
It is the largest operator in the world for both types, and the CEO says its current delivery schedule will add five more PC-24s and six additional PC-12s in 2024.
That will mean one-third of its fleet will be the new version PC-24, which offers extended range and payload.
According to Pilatus, the enhancements equate to an additional range of 200 nautical miles.
Through June, PlaneSense ranked as North America’s eighth-largest private jet operator based on charter and fractional flight hours.
It saw flight hours increase by 3.6% year-over-year, according to Argus TraqPak.
Currently, PlaneSense has limited availability for both types of deliveries in 2023.
Recently, the operator extended its collaboration with technology provider Gözen Digital Aviation’s Operator.
It streamlines processes, minimizes human errors, and provides 24/7 support.
Antoniadis says the operating environment continues to be challenging.
Air traffic control delays impact high-density corridors.
Supply chain issues and staffing shortages at FBOs continue.
It has caused the company he founded in 1995 to remain focused on being focused.
“We choose deliberately to stick to our knitting,” he says.
In our 2023 reader survey, 100% of respondents who are owners of PlaneSense ranked its service as Excellent or Very Good.
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