A group of commercial Sydney pilots has created an innovative new business enabling leisure and business travellers to hire private jets at a fraction of the usual cost.
Launched two months ago, EmptyJets offers discounted seating to leisure and corporate travel passengers on return legs of trips already paid for by cashed up VIPs. For example, a client might charter a jet from Sydney to Melbourne for $15,000, then instead of flying an empty plane back to its airport, EmptyJets offers the return flight for $2,000.
It’s a unique option for corporate travellers and in some cases may be cheaper than a regular business class seat, with the added benefit of plasma TVs, full leather seating and personalised customer service. A charter from Sydney to Auckland costs about $40,000 but EmptyJets offers the same route on a 10-seater aircraft for $800 per head.
“There is no better way to fly. You turn up at the airport, you don’t have to wait, you are in a private terminal, the pilot meets you at the stairs and away you go in the comfort of your own private jet,” said EmptyJets co-founder, James Baldwin.