Aviation is like a complicated ecosystem of various parties working closely together. Add in a long list of variables like unexpected events or adverse weather, and you’ve got a real challenge on your hands to keep an operation running on track. It takes a powerhouse to make the magic happen. At private jet broker Jetters, that powerhouse duo is Benoit and Arshad. They single-handedly take care of any query that comes their way, from start to finish.
We’re giving you a sneak peek of how complex aviation really is! Discover how we solve logistics puzzles on a daily basis
What sorts of things do they need to stay on top of to make sure a private jet operation goes ahead without a hitch? Here’s a few variables:
Slots
Airlines need to procure so-called slots. A slot grants them permission to operate at an airport and use the airport facilities at specific times.Weather
Weather is incredibly hard to predict and forecasts are not always accurate. Unexpected adverse weather can cause last-minute delays, closure of airfields, diversions etc. with the potential to greatly impact a flight operation.Flight crew duty limitations
It’s a big responsibility to operate a flight so it’s important that the crew get enough rest. Flight crew duty time is limited by aviation authorities and sometimes also the airlines themselves. If an unanticipated event results in a significant delay, the crew may not able to continue and would need to be replaced by another crew.The more exotic aspects of private travel
Lesser-known operators in far-flung regions of the globe, time zone differences, interesting cargo or particular destinations with tricky runways? Every day is different as private jet brokers deal with all sorts of challenging requests. But Benoit and Arshad are yes men, and they have the experience to solve even the most complicated puzzle.
Ready to come along and experience for yourself just how challenging and varied this industry can be? Arshad has invited you to join him on a typical working day!
A bout of bad weather
19th of December, 8pm
We’ve planned a private flight for a client tomorrow from Altenrhein to London Biggin Hill. The aircraft we need is currently stationed at Geneva and is due to be positioned to Altenrhein an hour before tomorrow’s flight. To make sure all will go as planned, we’re checking in with the operator we’ve contracted to confirm the slots, the positioning details and the weather.
It turns out that the weather forecast for tomorrow is looking pretty grim, with heavy showers of rain and gusty winds. The operator is feeling quite pessimistic about being able to land in Altenrhein in these conditions. When the weather is questionable like this, we need to take a look at alternate airports. The alternates for this flight are Zürich and Friedrichshafen, but the weather there is looking equally bad. The operator suggests Geneva, but that’s a 4-hour drive from our client, so not ideal.
To keep our client in the loop, we’re giving him a call about the weather situation. However, we know that in mountainous areas the weather can change quite rapidly, so we go over several options. For instance, would they consider planning for the alternate this evening to avoid any stress in the morning? Or would they prefer to hold off and wait until tomorrow in case the weather has improved. The client opts to wait which I had also advised him to do.
20th of December, 9am
Luckily, the weather is looking much better today! Both the operator and the pilots sound a lot more optimistic so we give our client a call to pass on the good news. To reassure our client, we promise to keep monitoring the weather and to keep checking in with him every hour. The weather remains stable. In the end, he’s able to depart on time from Altenrhein.
20th of December, 11.30am
30 minutes after departure, we give the driver a call to make sure he’s ready and waiting for our client in London Hill. He lets us know he’s nearly there, perfectly on time.
Island vibes
Shortly thereafter, we receive a query to organize a flight in Thailand, from Bangkok to Soneva Kiri island, flying out on the 3rd of March 2025 and returning a week later, on the 10th of March. On this particular island, the resort is involved in managing the airfield, Koh Mai Si Airport. The resort offers a shuttle service three times a day or a private shuttle for 10 000 USD one way.
As our prospective client is flying in commercially to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi international airport on the 3rd of March and departing on the 10th, they of course want to make the most of their holidays and get to their resort right away. The shuttle service offered by the resort doesn’t align with the arrival time of their commercial flight. They’d waste too much time waiting on the transfer.
Our mission is to find them an operator that can execute this flight. It’s quite a challenge as the runway at Koh Mai Si airport is very short, so not all aircraft can land there. A helicopter would be an option, but that’s expensive and not ideal when traveling with a lot of luggage. Some operators offer flights to Trat Airport, a nearby airfield on the mainland, but that would also increase travel time to Soneva Kiri. After a very long search, we finally find a company that has the right aircraft and the capability to operate the flights we need.
This operator was quite hard to find as they’re not listed on our go-to sourcing platform. Additionally, we’re contending with time zone differences. However, after quite a bit of e-mailing, we’re able to offer this option to our clients and they happily accept. We will still need to sign the contract with this operator and organize payment, which is always a bit riskier when we’re dealing with a lesser-known operator far from home but this won't be an issue.
A meaty endeavor
20th of December, 4pm
No time to rest on our laurels! We receive yet another request to transport 250 tons of meat from Romania to Belgium or the Netherlands. Another tricky inquiry. The client is requesting a flight relatively far in the future - June 2025 - but would already like an idea of pricing now in order to manage their budget.
Additionally, not many operators are keen to transport meat and very few aircraft in the world can carry 250 tons of cargo. In fact, the Antonov AN-225 Mriya is one of the only aircraft in existence that’s capable of transporting such a huge load. Fortunately, the client agrees to settle for transporting 100 tons. This way we can organize 2 or 3 flights, as long as all the meat gets transported in the same day to Belgium/the Netherlands to reach the butchers and the other recipients in time.
We succeed in finding an operator who can transport about 100 tons and we send our quote to the client. He lets us know he’ll consider our offer and get back to us. Thanks to our daily contact with him, we receive another query from someone he knows to transport 40 tons of meat on a weekly basis from the UK to Kuwait. On to the next task!
Sink or soar
The airline business can be intense. Working long hours, being available round the clock, dealing with unusual requests and contending with a myriad of variables that can all negatively impact the operation, … In this fast-paced environment, some sink and some soar. At Jetters, we possess decades of experience and – more importantly – a true passion for aviation that allows us to thrive in this dynamic and exciting industry!
