Originally Posted by
GeeWizDriver
Um, I’m no Netjets cheerleader but we are actually growing in customers and fleet size. Quite impressively actually. The company should hit 500 airframes by the end of the year.
Productivity gains through FDP, 8&6 scheduling, and free use of extended days have helped reduce pilot count without affecting aircraft availability but we have reached the end of that rope and are now hiring.
You see, there are LOTS of wealthy folks out there that couldn’t see the value proposition and chose airline first class pre-covid. Now, they’ve decided to give Netjets (and Flex, and XO, and WU) a try to avoid the masked, huddled masses on the airlines. And guess what? They LIKE it.
Well, define growth. How are more airframes with fewer pilots needed to fly them, defined as good growth for the pilot group? Most events that have the masses fearing airline travel (9/11, H1N1, COVID, etc) makes an uptick in private air travel. Who wouldn't love flying in a private jet instead of airline first class? This will settle back as it always does. Some people will spend the money to fly private, some will revert once things normalize. Glad to see anyone and everyone growing whatever they can grow though.