Concord, Mass., Aug 11, 2010 – Linear Air, the premier jet-taxi service that is transforming the private air travel industry as the first VLJ jet-taxi charter service in operation, today announced the achievement of significant milestones in the first half of 2010.
Linear Air, headquartered in Concord, Mass., today announced it has acquired a fifth luxury Eclipse 500 jet, making it the largest exclusive operator of Eclipse aircraft in the United States.
The fleet expansion comes at a critical time, as the jet-taxi service caps impressive 104% revenue growth and 100% improvement in EBITDA in the first half of 2010 over the same period last year, and prepares to expand service in the New York area.
“In 2009 we took our lumps along with everyone else, and more than many given the bankruptcy and reorganization of Eclipse Aviation,” said William Herp, CEO of Linear Air. “But so far this year we have seen growing demand for business day-trips and leisure travel among frustrated airline travelers and those simply looking for better charter. We are excited to be back on the growth track.”
Linear Air today announced the expansion of its metropolitan New York presence with aircraft, crew and sales staff based at Westchester County Airport in White Plains, New York, near Fairfield County, Conn. Two luxury Eclipse 500s are based at the Million Air private terminal at Westchester County Airport, allowing Linear Air to reduce or eliminate positioning costs and offer even more affordable on-demand service for customers in metropolitan New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. “There is tremendous pent-up demand for affordable short-hop private charter in Westchester and Fairfield Counties,” said William Weaver, President of Million Air White Plains.
“Linear Air’s Eclipse jets fit this need perfectly.”
Linear Air today announced a market-leading, no-risk program for owners of Eclipse 500 aircraft to generate charter income under Linear Air management. Terms include no cash outlay, no minimum monthly management fee, market-leading insurance and no mark-up on maintenance or other expenses. Certain aircraft may be eligible for upgrade financing as well. It is expected that aircraft enrolled in the program may be based in the Northeast U.S., or will continue to be based where their owners currently have them and Linear Air will roll out its proven marketing programs to those geographies. Linear Air consistently beats all other Eclipse operators by a wide margin in terms of charter demand generated.
“Linear Air recognized the opportunity to leverage its extensive expertise to offer a no- risk management program to Eclipse owners and grow its fleet at the same time,” said Edwin Brenninkmeyer, CEO, Oriens Advisors and Linear Air’s lead investor. “It’s impressive that Linear weathered the recession while the others did not. DayJet, Pogo, SATSAir are all gone, but Linear survived. We’re impressed with the company’s strategy for renewed growth.”
Linear Air claims the distinction of being the first and only company with a very light jet—commonly known as VLJ—jet-taxi strategy. VLJs represent a revolutionary new class of business jets that significantly reduce the cost of flying a private business jet. Linear Air’s Eclipse 500 is the leader in this new class of four-passenger jets. Using the least fuel of any jet airplane, the eco-friendly twin-engine Eclipse 500 offers jet speed, safety and comfort at unprecedented low cost. Linear Air’s highest on-demand jet-taxi charter rate averages 40% less than comparable jets. With discounts for frequent travel, Linear Air’s rates can be as much as 50% less. [Source: CharterX.com and operator survey.] Linear Air’s Eclipse 500s are staffed by two pilots, feature plush leather seats and luxury appointments, and are outfitted with the most advanced safety systems, including the latest navigation, weather, and traffic collision-avoidance technologies. The company’s exemplary commitment to safety has been recognized with a Gold rating from ARGUS International, Inc., an independent consulting company and the industry’s leading safety auditing service.
About Linear Air
Based in Concord, Massachusetts, Linear Air is a FAA-certified part 135 charter operator providing jet-taxi service using the revolutionary four-passenger Eclipse 500 business jet. Linear Air offers business and leisure travelers access to more than 750 cities in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and eastern Canada from its bases in Boston and New York. Linear Air maintains a Gold safety rating from ARGUS International, Inc., the leading independent safety auditor in the aviation industry. For more information, please visit www.linearair.com call 1-877-2-LINEAR or email info@linearair.com
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