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Also see Air charter
The term Air Taxi is a catch all phrase that refers to the renting of an entire aircraft, or aircraft seats in smaller aircraft. While the airlines specialize in selling transportation by the seat, air taxi companies focus on small groups for specialized itineraries, urgent / time sensitive freight or cargo, air ambulance and any other form of ad hoc air transportation.
The synergies of a number of technological advancements many aviation professionals forsee the middle class traveling easily and with much less expense than is currently possible, using VLJs (Very Light Jets) and other types of comparatively inexpensive aircraft. New technologies in engine design, airframe manufacturing methods, computer aided design and avionics as well as ATC upgrades, many say, will come together to drastically reduce cost while increasing efficiency, comfort and safety. These aircraft (Such as the Eclipse 500 are said easier to fly and much cheaper to produce than current production jets. 5,400 small airports across the United States make point-to-point air travel on smaller jets quicker for travelers than the airline hub and spoke system. Next generation avionics and systems may also make these small airports accessible even in poor weather conditions. Companies such as Taxijet, DayJet, and Pogo expect this mode of travel to flourish due to the decreased cost of personal air travel.
Growth Factors
Beginning in the late 1990's the air charter / air taxi interest moved into main stream media and discussion with the growth and advent of several key factors:
- Very Light Jets or VLJs popularized the concept of small affordable jets that would bring the capital carrying cost of aircraft down enough so that many more could be sold and operated. Eclipse Aviation is one of the most well known new aircraft brands, although other companies including Adam Aircraft, Cessna, Honda, and Embraer have designed or built VLJs of their own. While the air taxi debate is concerned with whether these aircraft will actually contribute to change, the mere discussion, media coverage and excitement over new technology is bringing more and more attention to the concept of ad hoc air transportation.
- Internet Communication: Because air taxi was never part of the major GDS or travel distribution systems, it could not reach wider audiences. With the advent of the Internet, distribution of information regarding the availability of aircraft, placement, pricing etc., became more available to the increased broker and buyer community.
- Problems: Growing dissatisfaction with the scheduled airlines over security and congestion related delays. While not all airline passengers could afford alternatives, the upper echelons of airline passengers sought was to stop flying commercially or exploring corporate aviation, fractional or air charter.
- Alternatives: Air Taxi and its cousin Fractional Ownership popularized the notion of private aircraft use and ownership. Fractional aircraft ownerships growth led to the advent of a distinct set of regulations in the United States designed specifically to regulate fractionally owned aircraft companies. These new regulations are spelled out clearly in Part 91 Subpart K and bring fractional aircraft operations into line with existing air charter regulations, making fractional ownership into simply another flavor of ad hoc air transportation.
See also
- Very Light Jet (including list of VLJs in development)
References
- Your Air Taxi Is Almost Ready A business week article on the advent of air taxi using today's and tomorrow's aircraft.
- Air Taxi—Myth or New Market Niche? An article outlining different perspectives within the industry.
External links
"Air taxi"