A private jet air taxi operator in Europe is offering a $10,000 single commission to travel agents for new customers, with the sector gearing up for the economic rebound in Australia.
Jet Republic, which made Europe’s largest private jet purchase in September with an order for 110 Bombardier Learjets, plans an on-demand service similar to water taxis from October.
Unlike most aircraft charter companies, Jet Republic is targeting high-end travel agents for distribution and is offering a one-off commission of €5000 ($9500) for each sale of its Private Jet Card. The card equates to 25 hours of flying and costs €130,000 and agencies who purchase a card can on-sell flights from the card for an additional five per cent service fee.
The move comes as Australian business aircraft resellers gear up for renewed sales interest ahead of a June 30 cut-off for a federal stimulus package to aid owners of private jets. Speaking to Travel Today on board a demonstration flight of the Hawker 4000 eight-person jet, John Oppenheimer sales manager at aircraft dealer Hawker Pacific, said some businesses are bringing forward purchase plans to benefit from an additional 10 per cent tax deduction on capital equipment.
Oppenheimer said the cost of flying a Hawker 4000 was comparable to first class travel but without the airport security inconvenience.