CharterX Acquires Wyvern, Launches New Service

CharterX, one of the largest online charter facilitators, disclosed today that it has acquired air charter audit firm Wyvern Consulting of Palmyra, N.J. Together the companies will offer a new service called Safety Intelligence, “an information system intended for charter buyers,” to include accident/incident data and operational standards of charter providers compared with those of other operators, as well as Wyvern’s recommended standards. Through Portland, Ore.-based CharterX, charter operators and brokers can market aircraft and trips, and charter customers are able to check pricing, aircraft characteristics and availability, as well as book flights. According to CharterX founder and president Jim Betlyon, about 300 operators worldwide are marketing charter aircraft through the company’s network. Betlyon said Wyvern will continue to perform “separate” and “unbiased” safety evaluations. He told AIN that non-Wyvern-recommended operators will not be excluded from the CharterX network. However, CharterX does notify customers whether or not an air-taxi operator is Wyvern recommended.