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NetJets Announces Major Job Cuts

Filed under: Wings

netjets adPrivate jet company NetJets has announced major job cuts. The company, which is owned by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway, will cut 350 jobs, five percent of its work force. The Columbus Dispatch also reports that the company is delaying an expansion of its Port Columbus campus. The project was to be one of the biggest economic-development projects in Ohio and Columbus fought valiantly to lure NetJets to Ohio. The company had promised that the $200 million expansion could create as many as 800 jobs within six years. The company had not accepted any public money for the expansion. Cash incentives were to be made in the form of reimbursement.

Like many jet operators NetJets has struggled in the economic slump. It lost nearly $350 million during the first six months of 2009. Many charters and fractional businesses have had layoffs in the wake of major decreases in business travel and some have folded up shop completely. Ohio government officials expressed confidence that the company would continue to stay in the state and would be an economic powerhouse once again.

Jet Repubic Launches in Europe

Filed under: Wings


Lately it seems that the private jet revolution is bigger in Europe than in the U.S. The latest new fractional ownership and charter brand Jet Republic, a new company set to take on the European leader NetJets Europe. Jet Republic has bought 110 Bombardier Learjet 60XRs which is a full 25 orders and 85 options valued at an impressive $1.5 billion which is said to be the largest single business jet order in European aircraft history. The venture recently launched and will sell a Jet card at 130,000 euros ($190,000) for 25 hours of flying time. Jet Republic has arrangements with 30 business aircraft operators throughout Europe to provide charters for their customers.

About a year after the company gets their first aircraft they will begin a fractional ownership program. They are selling shares now but customers won't be able to use them until next year. Each one-sixteenth share in the Learjet 60XR will entitle the owner to 50 flight hours and owners can go up to a half share with 400 hours. The owners will pay a monthly management fee of 2,000 euros plus an hourly rate of 3,500 euros. Flight Global quotes Jet Republic chief executive Jonathan Breeze as saying he's not concerned about the current economic turmoil. He says it's a great time to launch the company and that when they "put the package together in July we were actually turning investors away."

Carbon Footprint Got You Down? Share a Yacht!

Filed under: Journeys, Services, Water

Yacht owners often are too busy to use their boats for more than a few weeks each year. Another thing to consider, certainly, is the cost of ownership. Yikes. That's the theory behind Luxury Yacht Partners of N.Y. Purchase fractional ownership, rent a yacht for a day or sell part or all of your yacht.

Fractional ownership yachts are a Sunseeker 61' Predator 2003, 25% share, $335,000; or a Burger 81' 1972, 25% share, $195,000, with an optional Robinson R-44 helicopter, 25% share, $45,000. Depending on whether your yacht will stay in the Northeast or be relocated to Florida during the winter, you get 30 - 70 cruising days each year.

All the operational expenses are shared by the up to 4 shareholders, and of course you pay for your own consumables. Operational expenses include docking fees, maintenance, crew payroll, insurance, repairs and a management fee.

Sounds good, and economical, but hold on -- not thrilled about others using "your" yacht? That's why you pay a management fee: A concierge service will ready the yacht for your time at sea, such as stocking your preferred beverage or having available your special sheets. Summer's coming, so buy that share, and get out the sunblock!

The Most Expensive Megayachts

Filed under: Journeys, Water


If having a yacht of your own doesn't work for you then chartering one is the next best thing (or maybe it's better? None of the hassles of ownership!) there are lots of choices out there. What amenities are important to you? Where do you want to go? The options are endless, and if money is no object then the luxuries can be too. Ever had the chance to experience any of these megayachts? They're some of the most expensive out there available for charter, and I think they all sound awesome:

ACM Plans Large Facility For Private Jets

Filed under: Wings

ACM, a charter jet service and full service FBO based at the Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport in San Jose, California is planning a new luxurious facility. The 70,000-square-foot construction project will be a state-of-the-art club for their clients. The company currently has a fleet of 28 managed and chartered small aircraft such as a Hawker 800XP, Dassault Falcon 900, Gulfstream GV, Cessna Citation V and Bombardier Global Express. Industry website CharterX.com predicts that the facility will offer a gym, lounges, workstations and flight planning services for pilots. The club will offer a more private and convenient entrance to the aircraft and will be completed next year/

Imagine Air, A New Air Taxi For The South

Filed under: Wings


The Southeast has a new air taxi service. Imagine Air flies Cirrus SR22s out of Georgia to over 600 airports in the Southeast. Flight costs are based on scheduled mileage and there are no penalties for last minute bookings. They also sell pre-paid flight cards: Platinum for $50,000 that guarantees 20% off all flight, Gold for $20,000 that gives 15% off all flights, Silver for $8,000 with 10% off all flights and Bronze for $3,000 that offers 5% off all flights. You are charged only for the mileage in which you occupy the aircraft and every time you fly, the flight cost is deducted from your FlightCard balance. They also have a leaseback program if you are interested in plane ownership.The company plans to add Eclipse 500 planes in 2008.

[via General Aviation News]

The Paloma, Where Sarkozy Celebrated

Filed under: Water


Nicolas Sarkozy is very happy to be the newly-elected future president of France. The way he chose to celebrate, however, is causing controversy. Sarkozy took off for a three-day luxury cruise off the coast of Malta on the beautiful Paloma, a nearly 198-foot megayacht owned by billionaire investor Vincent Bollore. Many people are upset with Sarkozy' luxury junket especially since he is the man charged with reviving France's flagging economy. The yacht has seven cabins including a full beam owner's cabin and went through a total refit in 2003/2004. If you want to party like Sarkozy, the yacht charters for $220,000 during the high season.

Cerulean Jet Plans To Neutralize Carbon Emissions

Filed under: Wings


Another jet company has made a move to carbon neutrality following Silverjet's lead. Cerulean Jet, a private air charter service has announced that they are taking steps to neutralize the carbon emissions for all chartered flights. The company will be purchasing carbon offsets from Green Mountain Energy Company's eMission Solutions division to offset the carbon footprint caused from carbon dioxide emission from flights. Cerulean will purchase carbon offsets from Green Mountain for 100 percent of its entire fleet's flights for one year. Through their eMissions division Green Mountain works with reforestation as well as solar and wind power projects. Cerulean offers four different card-based charter services offering on demand service with no membership fee or membership services with fees that offer a reduction in the cost of flights.

Guilt-free Flying? Get Yourself A Terrapass

Filed under: Services, Wings

Last week, I mentioned Silverjet, which has made a commitment to being carbon neutral in order to help the environment. Now Executive Charter Services, a private jet charter brokerage company has announced that they are giving clients the balance out the carbon dioxide emissions by purchasing reductions in greenhouse gases from leading carbon retailer TerraPass. TerraPass supports a variety of eco-friendly project like domestic wind farms and energy efficiency projects. An hour in a private jet can use up as much fuel as a whole year in the family car so it is good to see private jet companies making this move. Even if you are not a private jet flyer, you can buy a TerraPass based on the length of your flight and the fuel used to do your part to help make a difference in global warming, TerraPass has also partnered with Expedia, the popular travel website. For a comprehensive look at just how much it will cost you to fly carbon neutral on a private flight check out Helium Report's comprehensive look at the subject.

Lurssen Apoise Yacht

Filed under: Water


I think this is one of the most fantastic shots of a yacht I have ever seen. This is Lurssen's Apoise (formerly known as project Marlin) making her way down the Kiel Canal. The 67-meter (around 220 feet) yacht has been delivered to her owner.  She was designed by Espen Oeino to offer a lot of space without an ungainly length. There are six decks with four guest cabins with king size beds on the lower deck and the main deck includes the owners suite, the main salon with  a dining area and a  round glass elevator in the lobby. The bridge deck has another VIP cabin on the starboard side, a full beam salon and an interior/exterior dining area. On the upper deck there is a bar/gym and a large Jacuzzi. Apoise can hit a  top speed of 16 knots. Hopefully she'll make it to the charter market so we can get those all important interior shots.

Alibi Yacht For Charter

Filed under: Water


This one didn't make it onto our top ten list of yachts for charter because it only recently made it to the charter market but it is definitely worthy of a look. Alibi is a 168-foot yacht which was built by CBI Navi in 2005. The yacht has room for 12 guests and has plenty of space for outdoor activities. There is a panoramic open deck area with half moon large sunbathing mattresses and an extendable table for 12 guests and a bar. The sundeck boasts large cushions, a Jacuzzi, a U-shaped settee and another table for 12. There is a dumb waiter between decks for delivering all your snacks and supplies. Alibi also features a gymnasium and a garage that holds a tender, three jets skis and more.

Inside there are five cabins: a full-width master with an office and a Jacuzzi tub, two VIP cabins with Jacuzzi baths and two double and one twin guest cabin all with ensuites. The staterooms have flat screen monitors with cable and on-demand movies from a central movie server and there is a library of over 200 music CDs. This yacht also has its own wireless network system. She charters for $250,000 to $260,000 per week and will be gallivanting around the Mediterranean this summer. More shots of this beautiful yacht after the jump.

SeaDream Extended Cruise Options

Filed under: Water

Forget a one week vacation, how about a real break? Sea Dream Yacht Club is offering extended voyages from 14 to 42 days from Europe to South America. The voyages are aboard the SeaDream I and prices range from from $3,899 per person for 14 days to $14,647 for 42 days from October 21 to December 2. The SeaDream I has room for 55 couples and offers a more relaxed version of the cruise experience (no flashy stage shows, no formal dress code, no tipping). The voyages include meals, wine with lunch and dinner, open bar and the use of water sports toys. The SeaDream yachts are megayachts that offer an experience closer to a charter yacht than to a traditional cruise. Both SeaDream yachts are also available for charter. For a detailed review, check out Cruise Critic.

Top Ten Charter Yachts

Filed under: Water


Can't find that perfect vacation for the coming months? Chartering a yacht can be the most luxurious thing you could ever think about doing, save for Beluga caviar body wrap. With all the choices out there, you might need a little guidance to help you find the yacht that is right for you. Well, we are here to help. Listed here are a selection of our top ten choices in the charter yacht world. Not all of them are the biggest out there, but these yachts capture our interest with great style, luxurious amenities, and fantastic toys.

Check out out list after the jump.

Feadship Charisma for Charter

Filed under: Water


Now you know that I can't stand yachts with bad interiors. For a yacht named Charisma, this boat had very little. Charisma underwent a refit several years back and the difference is amazing. If you look for them, pictures of the previous decor are out there, but you may want to gouge your eyes out after viewing them. Luckily for us, the interior bears no resemblance and now is actually on the fabulous side. Outside you have classic Feadship lines and spacious decks. Inside a luxurious decor that evokes a grand Hampton's beach house reigns where motorhome chic was once the theme. At 153 feet, this yacht doesn't skimp for space. 3 decks of living space allow plenty of room for the 12 guests to stretch out and enjoy the great amenities. Based in the Mediterranean and the Bahamas, Charisma can be chartered for $160,000 a week, plus expenses.

Fast Track To Power Cruising Program

Filed under: Water

If you'd like to learn how to navigate a power boat but are wary of spending your summer taking boating classes, the Fast Track to Power Cruising could be your dream working vacation. Steve and Doris Colgate, founders of the Offshore Sailing School have partnered with NauticBlue charters to offer a six-day live-aboard learning vacation in the Bahamas and British Virgin Islands. The course which starts June 1, will use 35 - 47 foot power catamarans. Participants are trained by US Cruising Power Boat Certified instructors and learn about on-board systems, docking, anchoring, navigation, engine maintenance and more so that they can confidently handle boats up to 50 feet. Up to four participants live aboard with an instructor during the program.

[via BYM News]


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