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Flying doesn’t have to mean queues, check-in traumas
and lost baggage. With a private jet you can escape the crowds and
delays. We looked at Gold Air International, and discovered how, as
well as saving time and stress, hiring a jet can even save you
money. Few people have more apt surnames than the Gold brothers –
David and Ralph Gold.
From humble beginnings selling coloured buttons at an East End
market stall they have built up a huge business empire in retail,
publishing and Premiership football.
Their latest venture is Gold Air International, a private charter
jet business where their Midas touch is already yielding results.
The Gold brothers bought their first aircraft in 1996 to ferry
themselves between away football matches – they own a 50% share in
Birmingham City Football Club.
David and Ralph Gold were accustomed to chartering jets for business
and social purposes and both being experienced pilots (David has won
the Malta Air Rally three times) were not happy with the service and
standards provided by existing executive charter operations.
Having bought their first aircraft, it seemed only natural to
charter it when they weren’t flying themselves. Five years on, they
have 35 full-time pilots, a 24-hour operations department to deal
with bookings and queries and a fleet including five brand new
eight-seater Learjet 45s.
Outstanding customer service and a genuine commitment to quality
have underpinned this growth.
“Our view is ‘You provide the problem and we’ll provide the
solution’,” says Marketing Manager John Brutnell. “We can
accommodate virtually every kind of request from the business
wanting to run a European roadshow with stop-overs in three or four
cities a day to the individual keen to fly to the South of France at
short notice for some sunshine.
Whatever you need, and wherever you want to go, a single phone call
is all it takes to charter from us. We provide a 24-hour service for
destinations throughout Europe, Africa and the Middle East and North
America.”
It’s easy to see the advantages – no nightmare journey to Gatwick or
Heathrow, no time wasted in check-out queues, no delays or
cancellations. You’re on your way within minutes of arriving at your
local airfield (there are a surprising 10,000 in Europe). If your
meeting overruns, no problem! One phone call to your pilot and your
return flight is rescheduled.
And while in the air?
Gold Air’s aircraft offer rather higher standards than even the most
prestigious scheduled carrier can boast. You can have the interior
set out for meetings if you wish, or enjoy the ample space for work.
There are comforts like air conditioning, in-flight entertainment,
and a galley.
“The cabin is not horribly ostentatious. It’s more like the interior
of a Bentley – lots of leather and beautifully polished wood,” says
John.
Clearly, these attractions are becoming increasingly better known,
with Gold Air seeing monthly growth rates of up to 104%. Half the
company’s business currently comes from brokers while company
executives, wealthy individuals and media and sports personalities,
such as Formula 1 racing drivers, account for the other 50%.
“The charter jet business still has a pop star and millionaire image
but in fact our client base is much more diverse,” says John.
“Small local companies use us as well as Fortune 500 companies. At
first, when you tell them that chartering a jet for eight people
works out the same as business class fares, they don’t believe you.
But then you show them the sums and they start to realise that they
could be saving themselves an enormous amount of time and hassle at
no extra cost.
And of course, if you can fly them home the same day and so avoid
the need for overnight accommodation, you can actually save them
money.
Shareholders, in particular, tend to be a bit wary of letting their
directors jet about the country but when they see the extra
productivity in terms of time saved, they’re soon convinced.”
It’s not hard to see the appeal. If your yacht is in a marina in
Spain or the French Riveria, waiting around for scheduled flights
and long uncomfortable taxi rides to get there can take up a big
chunk of your free time.
A call to Gold Air could get you directly to the landing strip that
is nearest to your mooring when it suits you.
And if there’s a change of plans, a piece of business that needs
your personal attention or a change to your schedule that gives you
extra time, you have no problems with changing return tickets or
checking for availability. You simply travel when you want.
But what about safety? Chief Executive Will Curtis may spend his
spare time turning somersaults in the air – he has his own aerobatic
aircraft, a Sukhoi SU-26 which he takes to airshows and Grand Prix
events throughout the UK and Northern Europe – but he takes no risks
with his passengers’ welfare.
All flight crew (it boasts ex-Concorde and BA captains among its
numbers) visit the States regularly for simulator training.
“We’re one of the few charter operations in the UK to do this,” says
John Brutnell proudly.
What’s more, Gold Air’s aircraft enjoy state-of-the-art safety
equipment. The Learjet 45s, for example, and other new aircraft have
Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning Systems and the latest version of
the Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System, both features
which will be mandatory by the end of 2003 under recent regulations
issued by the European Joint Aviation Authority.
The cost of adding these features to older aircraft can be
prohibitive – as much as $800,000 – and because of this, Gold Air
predicts that 50% of the charter aircraft currently operating in the
UK will disappear within 18 months.
Fortunately, with one of the most advanced executive fleets in
Europe, Gold Air is in an ideal position, not just to stay in
business, but to grow as a result. Which could be very good news if
you have an urgent trip to make, anywhere in the world.
Gold Air International
Commercial Department
Tel: 01279 668228
E-mail: sales@goldairint.com
Website: www.goldairint.com
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