Avanti frax ops signs 100th customer

Avantair, which operates a fractional ownership fleet of Piaggio Avanti twin turboprops, signed its 100th customer last month. Phil Satre, chairman of the board of Harrah’s Entertainment, purchased a one-eighth share. Avantair, established two years ago, has offices in Caldwell, N.J., Reno, Nev. and St. Petersburg, Fla. At press time, the Avantair fleet consisted of 13 Avantis and a firm order for 34 more, which are entering the fleet at the rate of about one a month. Unlike most fractional operations, Avantair does not invoice owners an occupied hourly rate, but instead essentially bundles that rate into a single invoice containing all fees.