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Private aviation program Wheels Up says it achieved its key goals for 2014, taking its fleet to 37 aircraft and its membership base to just above 1,000 by year-end. In the coming months, the company expects to agree on the next phase of fleet expansion by establishing with Textron Aviation the rate at which it will exercise options for more King Air 350is and Citation Excel/XLSs.
The Wheels Up fleet, managed and operated by Gama Aviation, now consists of 27 King Air 350is and 10 Citations. Agreements signed after the program launch in July 2013 call for up to 105 King Air 350is and an initial 20 Citations. Wheels Up is now targeting a client base of 2,150 members by year-end and expects to boost its activity levels from more than 10,000 hours from service launch in November 2013 to the end of 2014 to between 20,000 and 25,000 hours this year.
Wheels Up founder and CEO Kenny Dichter told AIN that he wants to launch initial operations in Europe by late this year or early next. “We are definitely on track with our fleet expansion plans and we’ve seen incredible growth with a powerful set of members that is just getting started,” he commented.
According to Dichter, Wheels Up’s growing membership roster includes significant numbers of experienced private fliers. “If there has been a surprise it has been how well the King Air 350i has resonated with people who have previously been flying in light to midsize jets,” he noted. “We have also had great success with what we call concept buyers, people who have not previously been part of private aviation programs.” He added that the age profile of Wheels Up members is relatively young overall and that there is a clear “gender balance” in terms of the number of women members.
Meanwhile, Wheels Up has named Barton & Gray Mariners Club as the latest addition to the “partner benefits” that it offers to members through its Wheels Down lifestyle program. Through alliances with lifestyle brands, its members can enjoy special benefits normally available only to these companies’ own favored customers.