Jetbird closer to September launch

VLJ operator JetBird has gone one step closer to it's September launch with it's Internet based booking system now in the test phase. While travellers are very familiar with scheduled airline booking systems, JetBird's system which has been developed in conjunction with Coastal Aviation Software's real time booking and pricing platform will be the first Internet based booking system to be utilised by an executive jet operator.

At present the system operates very much like a conventional airline's system with point to point departure and destination selection. Departure times are arranged in 15 minute intervals. On completion of the selection process a quotation is presented, spreadsheet style. Once Jetbird is operational the quotation can be converted into a booking.

The system is quick and easy to use and has been designed for scalability to allow the operation of 100 aircraft over the next 5 years. Unlike US operator Dayjet which collapsed last year, JetBird sells the entire aircraft rather than the Dayjet model which sold individual seats and ran on an overly complicated booking platform.

To test the system, a day return from Dublin to Biggin Hill was selected (there are 29 destination cities), departing Dublin at 9.00am on July 27 and returning at 8.45pm, flying 4 passengers. The outbound fare was €3464.09 with airport charges of €171 and landing fees of €31. The return leg to Dublin worked out at €2891.76 with airport charges of €148.12, landing fees of €127.23 and surcharges of €92.42 for a grand total of €6925.62.

JetBird are due to take delivery of 4 Phenom 100 aircraft prior to September start up with a further 6 aircraft slated for delivery before year end. In total the Dublin based operator has 59 Phenom 100 on firm order with 41 options for Phenom 100 or 300 aircraft. Initial operations are to based in the Rhine-Ruhr area of Germany which is one of the largest metropolitan areas in Europe.