Story ID: 906_Air Club.doc
Prime Jet joins AirClub Jet Alliance
By: David Donald
Caption: Like-minded business aviation companies have formed an alliance to provide a high level of service to customers.
Word Count: 375
U.S. charter, sales and management company Prime Jet is the latest member of AirClub, a corporate jet alliance launched in October 2012 to bring together a number of like-minded business aviation companies. Sharing the principles of offering the highest quality services with the highest levels of safety, AirClub members also operate a pooled charter service to maximize utilization across their combined fleet, and they have introduced an innovative and easy-to-use booking system. Prime Jet joins a group that includes ACM Air Charter, Air Alsie, Air Hamburg, Flyinggroup, GlobeAir, London Executive Aviation, Masterjet and PrivatAir, operating more than 170 aircraft.
  
Prime Jet is AirClub’s first U.S. member, which offers new opportunities for other members. “We needed a presence in the U.S., and Prime Jet is a perfect choice,” said PrivatAir’s Christian Hatje, who is also AirClub president. “Now I have friends in the U.S. who can look after my guests.”
  
Founded in 2002, Prime Jet currently has 11 Gulfstreams in its worldwide fleet, with six available for charter, ranging from a GIII to a G550. “Our company seems like a natural fit with AirClub,” noted Prime Jet CEO Cheryl Janke. She also underlined the value of having like-minded companies in many parts of the globe. “The alliance can help bring resolution to problems that might be encountered on worldwide trips.”
  
In the meantime, AirClub’s members continue to explore mutually beneficial avenues, such as joint procurement and joint training. The alliance is hoping to add new members and may be able to announce two more later this year. New members are expected from North and South America, Asia and Africa. The ultimate aim is to have about 50 operators around the world, operating a combined fleet of about 1,000 aircraft.
  
As well as welcoming Prime Jet, AirClub has announced new strategic alliances with companies in two complementary sectors: luxury hotel group Kempinski Hotels and superyacht charter management company Ocean Independence. In both cases AirClub has entered into a mutual preferred partner program that provides AirClub members with preferential rates, while Kempinski and Ocean Independence will promote AirClub’s services to their guests and clients. The three entities have identified several areas for joint promotion and activities.