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With the airlines in a tailspin from terrorism and the recession, new security hassles and delays are accelerating the flight of business travellers to personal jets. Once the privilege of the corporate elite, light jets in recent years have drawn more and more business fliers willing to pay a premium for fast and dependable service. Now shoe inspections and hour-plus waits for airlines have made that option even more attractive.

Industry expert Rick Charles, head of the aviation program at Georgia State University says that there was a definite increase prior to Sept. 11, but the slope has more than doubled since. The security requirements at the airport have become so time-consuming. People in the mid to upper level in business are finding it's more cost-effective to pay a higher price and go on a business airplane.

That's apparent at places like the private San Jose Jet Center, where business has grown 25 percent in the past six months. Right now, they are at 120 percent capacity.

While the recession has put a crimp on travel budgets, companies such as Palo Alto's Tibco Software say travel is just too crucial to clinching deals, and they are looking into private jets. Tibco spokeswoman Caroline Phillips says flexibility  is an important factor.

More cumbersome

Executives such as Umberto Fedeli, president of an insurance brokerage who began taking chartered and private jets years ago, says the move makes sense when time is valuable. "Since Sept. 11, travelling has become more cumbersome,'' Fedeli said. "Flying commercial is very inexpensive, but it's more of a hassle.''

The business jet boom also has been driven by part-ownership plans and online charter reservation services that make expensive planes more accessible. "Fractional'' ownership plans, similar to time-shares but with guaranteed on-demand availability, can put a $10 million Learjet within reach for $630,000, about the cost of a nice Silicon Valley home. The fractional jet business has grown 38 percent a year since 1995, says Steve Phillips, marketing director for Bombardier Flexjet in Dallas. There are more than 3,500 fractional owners today, up from fewer than 1,000 in 1997, according to the National Business Aviation Association. 

Jet charters also are seeing strong growth. According to a recent Air Charter Guide survey, three out of four charter companies reported gains averaging 28 percent in January over last year. 

Recession blamed

Airlines say they aren't worried about losing business fliers. They blame declining business travel on the recession.

"Although we have seen a reduction in business traffic, we believe it is more related to the downturn in the economy,'' American Airlines spokeswoman Sonja Whitemon says. "Private jets may be a convenience for some, but they cannot possibly offer the breadth and depth of service and convenience of the scheduled airlines.''

Most business travellers will surely continue flying airlines to save money, especially with the recession adding scrutiny to the budget, analysts say. It's hard to beat the airlines, particularly for long flights between major destinations.

Source: www.tolsearch.com

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