Caveat Emptor: Avoiding private jet scams, bankruptcies, and shutdowns

Zetta Jet

New and veteran private jet flyers have discovered that if it seems too good to be true, it may well be. Here are some of the sad stories we’ve covered in the past five years

Summerset Maugham once wrote about the French Riveria it is “a sunny place for shady people.” While private aviation has a lot of great people, and I enjoy covering the industry, I have to admit I was surprised that, looking back over the past five years, there have been over a dozen private jet scams, bankruptcies, and shutdowns. To me, that seems like too many.

Mnuchin files for dismissal in his action against UberJets

small judge gavel placed on table near folders

The former Treasury Secretary had previously asserted in court filings a connection between defunct JetCard Plus, run by Paul A. Svensen, Jr., and Paul M. Svensen and UberJets

In papers filed with the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York, lawyers representing Steven T. Mnuchin, Inc. (STM) requested the court to dismiss with prejudice his action against UberJets, LLC, Paul M. Svensen, and Paul A. Svensen, Jr.

JetSuite’s SuiteKey customers unhappy with bankruptcy offer

JetSuite

In a filing last week, the grounded private jet charter operator outlined what its jet card customers might receive in exchange for their $50 million in unused flight credits

What’s nearly $50 million in unused flight credits worth when your jet card provider goes bust?

The answer looks to be less than customers had hoped for, but more than past bankruptcies and closures.

Mnuchin asserts UberJets ties to JetCard Plus and Paul A. Svensen, Jr. in lawsuit follow-up

Steven Mnuchin private jet

The U.S. Treasury Secretary is still looking recoup nearly $220,000 he lost to defunct private jet charter broker JetCard Plus

In yet another lesson showing it doesn’t matter who you are, it pays to do proper research before you buy into a jet membership program, the check wasn’t in the mail.

U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Steven T. Mnunchin still hasn’t received the $219,623 judgment he won from JetCard Plus and its former CEO Paul A. Svensen, Jr. last May in a Florida Court.

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