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伦敦奥运会举行的两周时间，将有10000架次公务机起降，这场公务机的大聚会无疑比任何一次公务机展览都更让业界振奋。而这场公务机的盛会中却少见中国人的身影。
As the London Olympic Games gets going, more than 10,000 private-jet movements will happen in two weeks'' time. The party of the jets could be more exciting than any other air shows. The Chinese are still rarely seen though.
伦敦公务机起降超北京10倍
伦敦共有希斯罗、盖威克、斯坦斯特德、城市、卢顿5座机场，其中希斯罗、盖威克是枢纽机场。 希思罗机场现在拥有4个航站楼，在7月26日到8月3日期间，预计客流量将从目前的每天95000人增加到138000人。为了缓解压力，在这段时间内，所有的包机和私人飞机被要求去其他机场起降。
而伦敦城市机场从2月1日就开始接受伦敦奥运会飞机起降机位的预订，作为安全预防措施，提前预订机位的警告在开始阶段并没有引起足够的重视。由于奥运会期间伦敦以及周边机场对空域的严格控制，权威人士催促公务机公司要提前预订机位。两周多的比赛期间将有10000架次公务飞机起降，比伦敦通常的夏季月份高出40%。
英国国家空中交通管理局（NATS）的伦敦管制区负责人保罗·哈斯金斯（Paul Haskins）表示，奥运期间伦敦地区将会比平时多出约4000架次的航班。另外，在奥运会前后还将有700架大型客机和3000多架公务机在伦敦东南边的机场起降。
四年前的北京奥运会期间，北京首都机场共保障涉奥航班中170名各国元首、政要专机446架次，各类公务机630架次。而在2010世博会期间，公务机到访数量呈几何式增长，上海两座机场起降公务机超过3000架次，大大超过北京奥运会期间的首都机场。而首都机场的公务机楼也是专门为奥运会接待政商界专机、公务机需要而修建的，可以说奥运会开启了首都机场的“公务机时代”。
挑战与机遇并存
伦敦奥运会的公务机起降架次较北京奥运会增长了10倍，如此大规模的公务机起降与激增的民航航班叠加，为伦敦的空域管理提出了严峻挑战。除了运送观看奥运比赛的旅客的民航客机，在场馆周围进行电视转播的直升飞机，都将增加空域的拥挤程度。空管人员表示，类似气球、直升飞机等小型飞行器可能会跟民航客机争夺空域，因此将对这些飞行器进行必要的管制。所有VIP 直升机都不可能获允靠近体育场，任何国家的首脑都将不得不乘坐地面交通工具从伦敦市中心抵达比赛现场。
去年，英国民航局曾承诺为公务机运营人提供详细的专用空域安排计划，不过这些计划以及最终的空域指导还要等待英国国防部以及相关立法机构的通过。
从7月14日到8月15日，主要的空域限制集中在伦敦以及奥林匹克公园区域，而在8月16日到9月12日的残奥会期间，空域限制将减少。
根据英国政府空域安全规定，平衡大量上升的空域需求是NATS 的一项重要工作。通过广泛的咨询与模拟，NATS 提交了一份既不影响政府安全限制又能大大增强交通流的临时管制空域（CAS[T]）的成功建议。英国相关机构已经修改了去年三月首次规划的奥运会期间禁飞与限制空域的信息。在中国公务机数量和使用不断增长的情况下，英国对公务机较为“宽容”的飞行管理无疑具有重要的借鉴意义。
此外，伦敦周边的索森德、比金山等机场也有可能成为公务机和机主们的选择。专业人士建议，抵达伦敦东北方位奥运主赛场最方便的机场之一则是斯坦斯特德机场，南安普顿和范保罗这样的机场可能对于喜欢观看帆船运动的观众就极为便利。
厂商与服务商的支持
合适的飞机地面服务商能够提供有效的飞机管理、通关服务以及文书工作。一般来说，所挑选的地面服务商最好能够提前安排并支付相关服务费用，这样机组人员抵达后就无需再处理相关收费问题。
巴西航空工业公司在奥运会前就宣布，已有针对性地制订了全面、综合的计划，为到达伦敦的客户顺利出行提供支持。
巴航将与伦敦斯坦斯特德机场运营的巴航授权服务中心网络成员英福莱特公务机中心有限公司（Inflite The Jet Centre Ltd）共同对客户进行服务。包括安排驻场服务代表，如将英福莱特飞机地面紧急订货（AOG）行动小组成员的数量增加一倍，每周七天每天24小时待命，随时准备前往伦敦地区的所有机场及英国境内的其他城市。此外，英福莱特还提供关键任务工具及地面支持设备。
巴航也将进一步通过巴黎地区的喷气公务机服务（EEJS）中心提供支持。并通过其位于巴黎的主要航材设施，将英福莱特的现场航材库存总额增加至500万美元，确保奥运会期间航材的最佳供给。同时巴西航空工业公司还增加了物流支持，并采取了特殊措施，使任何有需要的客户能够从巴西航空工业公司任何分销中心获得航材备件，并可获得客户支持联络中心每周七天每天24小时的支持与建议。
英福莱特还为到访客户提供休息室、礼宾、搬运及停车服务，同时通过其固定基地运营设施（FBO）提供奥运会前后特殊航班运营及限制方面的建议。成立于1983年的英福莱特工程服务有限公司是英国航空领域排名最高的领先机构之一。
少见中国人身影
伦敦奥运会期间，可以预见除了政府专机外，来自顶级赞助商和大企业，以及大富豪的公务机成为主流，但与北京奥运会中国企业踊跃赞助不同的是，伦敦奥运会鲜有中国企业的身影。
公务航空人士认为，目前中国企业和企业家对公务机的使用还没有成为主流，但在国外很多500强企业对公务机的使用已经常态化，尤其是在奥运会这样的全球性、高规格、高关注度的顶级盛会上，国外大企业更加注重企业形象和商务效率，这也是伦敦奥运公务机流量爆增的一个重要原因。 国内对公务机的使用主要是民营企业，而民营企业在国际上的实力和地位并不突出，能在奥运会上呼风唤雨的少之又少。很难想象一家中国企业高规格赞助了奥运会，其高层团队会坐普通航班前往，这一点从北京奥运会接待的公务机情况就能看出来，主要赞助商企业均以公务机到访。
借着奥运会东风，北京一家旅行社推出高达888万元的伦敦奢华游，全程采用波音BBJ机型公务机，内部空间达到70多平米，而能否有人为此埋单尚无确切消息。另一家专注服务于顶级人士的俱乐部此前推出每人99万元，拟组织近百人的团队用公务机前往伦敦观看奥运和旅游，因为组织情况并不理想而取消。
英国康捷公务机公司负责人索麦薇告诉本刊，由于7、8月是欧洲的度假期，加上奥运会的举行，所以整个欧洲地区的包机业务异常活跃，比如从西班牙马拉加到英国曼彻斯特的包机价格只有数千英镑。
提供全球包机业务的艾尔环球商务服务公司中国区市场经理表示，目前公司对中国客户前往伦敦的公务机报价为32万美元，并且接到了私人的订单。这个价格较以往上涨幅度不小，因为奥运期间伦敦交通食宿都在涨价，仅机组人员在伦敦的费用就是一笔不小的开支，价格还是制约客户选择公务机去伦敦的重要因素。北京一家公务航空公司人士也透露，奥运期间，已经有两位老客户预订了去伦敦的包机业务。
目前国内公务机境外飞行审批流程还比较长，通常需要提前两周报批飞行计划，获批后才能飞行。在美国，公务机申请飞行只要在起飞前2小时提出即可，但中国国内一般需要提前三天向民航总局申请航线（国内航线）。事实上，私人团队前往欧洲如果没有特殊要求，也可以考虑不使用公务机，因为这种10多个小时的长途飞行，如果乘坐空客A380的头等舱可以更好地休息。在到达目的地后，在欧洲当地使用公务机出行，一是节省了使用成本，二是更加高效便捷。
10 times more movements than the Beijing Games
London has five airports, Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, City and Luton; Heathrow and Gatwick being the main hub airports. Heathrow has four terminals and is expected to receive 138,000 passengers a day between July 26 and August 3rd, vs. 95,000 on an ordinary day. To alleviate the pressure, all the charter planes and private jets are diverted to other airports.
London City Airport started to take bookings as early as February 1st. Business aviation professionals believe that jet users are not heeding the advice of booking far in advance. During the Games, London tightens airspace control over the city and beyond. Professionals urge operators to book slots well in advance. In the two weeks of the Games, more than 10,000 private-jet movements will take place, 40% more than an ordinary summer.
Paul Haskins, the London head of NATS said that London would have an additional 4,000 flights during the Games. In addition, there are 700 large commercial aircrafts and more than 3,000 business jets to take off and land to the southwest London during an extended period.
Four years ago, Beijing Capital Airport hosted 170 national heads, 446 aircraft movements for dignitaries and 630 private-jet movements. During the 2010 World Expo, the number of jets was a lot more. There were more than 3,000 movements, far exceeding the Beijing Games. The FOB in Beijing had been constructed especially to serve the Olympic VIPs. It is fair to say that the Beijing Games ushered the “private-jet era” for the Beijing Capital Airport.
Challenges and Opportunities
Aircraft movements for the London Games are 10 times more than that of the Beijing Games. Private jets and surging number of commercial flights pose great challenge to London’s airspace management. Furthermore, there are helicopters for live broadcasting, adding another level of congestion. Air-traffic professionals said that smaller aircrafts including balloons can compete for airspace with commercial airlines, and it is necessary to control all aircrafts. VIP helicopters will not be allowed to get close to stadiums, and all the national heads have to use ground traffic to get to the stadiums from downtown London. Last year, UK Civil Aviation Authority promised to provide a detailed dedicated airspace plan for operators, which is subject to approval by the Ministry of Defense and other legislative bodies. Tight control is to be implemented over London and the Olympics Park between July 14 and August 15, to be somewhat loosened over the Paralympics between August 16 and September 12.
NATS has the mandate to balance increasing demand for airspace. Based on broad consultation and simulation, NATS made a highly effective proposal –(CAS[T]) to increase air traffic without compromising on safety. Relevant UK authorities had revised the airspace restriction and ban originally proposed in March last year. This liberal approach can be learned by China, as more and more private jets are being acquired and used.
Moreover, Southend and Biggin Hill airports near London can be alternatives for users. The most convenient airport to reach the main stadium in northeast London is definitely Standsted, but Southampton and Farnborough airports are great for sailboat games.
OEM and Vendor Support
Ground service providers offer effective aircraft management, clearance and documentation services. It is usually advisable to make the arrangement and pay all the fees in advance, and spare the crew of additional work after landing.
Embraer announced well before the Games that it had a comprehensive plan to support customers traveling to London.
Embraer work with Inflite The Jet Centre Ltd, the ASC at London Stansted to fulfill its promise; measures include doubling the team for AOG, for 24 hours and 7 days standby. The team is ready to go to any of the airports in London and other regions in the U.K. In addition, Inflite also provides tools for key tasks as well as equipment for ground support.
Embraer shall further serve its customers through the EEJS in Paris. It will increase on-site aviation supply inventory at Inflite to $5million. Embraer will also step up on logistics support, taking special measures to enable customers to source aviation supply from any of its service centers. Contact centre is running 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.
Inflite provides a lounge, concierge, porter and parking services for arriving customers. It also offers information and advisory support on special flights operation and limits from its FBO. Established in 1983, Inflite Engineering is one of the leading aviation players in the U.K.
Chinese Rarely Seen
The London Olympics will definitely see charter and private planes from governments, top sponsors, large companies, the rich and famous. The Chinese companies however are conspicuously missing. Aviation professionals think that Chinese companies and businessmen have yet to make use of corporate jets. In contrast, many fortune-500 companies regularly use jets, especially for top events. Foreign companies care a lot more for corporate image and efficiency.
“In China jet users are mostly private companies, who are not really a strong force internationally. Even fewer could have a high profile at the Olympics. It is hard to imagine that if a Chinese company sponsors the Games, its top management would fly commercial airlines to be present at the Games. At the Beijing Games, sponsors all came on corporate jets.”
A Beijing travel agency is marketing its Rmb8.88million super-luxury package for the London Games, including a Boeing BBJ private jet with more than 70-meter internal height. There is no confirmation of whether anybody has signed up. Another top club offered a 990,000/person package and planned to organize a 100-person group to go to London on private jets. The club eventually had to cancel the trip due to disappointing signing up.
Gabriella Somerville, the head of Connect JETS told U-Jet that July and August are the holiday season in Europe, and now with the Games, the charter business in the entire Europe is extremely hot. It takes just a few thousand pounds to charter a plane from Malaga of Spain to Manchester in the U.K.
The China marketing manager of Air Charter Service, a global charter operator said that the company quoted $320,000 for a China-London return trip and had already got some orders from a few individuals. The price has grown a lot with all the price increases in London; the crew alone costs a lot. Prices are still a key consideration for customers. We heard from another Beijing operator that two of their old customers had booked jets to London for the Games.
Today, the approval process for cross-border routes is still lengthy. Operators have to make an application two weeks in advance and get the approval before taking off. In the U.S., one only needs to apply two hours before departure. In China, it still takes three days to apply for domestic routes. “In fact, flying on the first class of A380 to Europe isn’t that bad if customers don’t have special needs. Upon arrival, customers can use local jets to move within Europe. This option costs less and can be more efficient.”
As the London Olympic Games gets going, more than 10,000 private-jet movements will happen in two weeks'' time. The party of the jets could be more exciting than any other air shows. The Chinese are still rarely seen though.
伦敦公务机起降超北京10倍
伦敦共有希斯罗、盖威克、斯坦斯特德、城市、卢顿5座机场，其中希斯罗、盖威克是枢纽机场。 希思罗机场现在拥有4个航站楼，在7月26日到8月3日期间，预计客流量将从目前的每天95000人增加到138000人。为了缓解压力，在这段时间内，所有的包机和私人飞机被要求去其他机场起降。
而伦敦城市机场从2月1日就开始接受伦敦奥运会飞机起降机位的预订，作为安全预防措施，提前预订机位的警告在开始阶段并没有引起足够的重视。由于奥运会期间伦敦以及周边机场对空域的严格控制，权威人士催促公务机公司要提前预订机位。两周多的比赛期间将有10000架次公务飞机起降，比伦敦通常的夏季月份高出40%。
英国国家空中交通管理局（NATS）的伦敦管制区负责人保罗·哈斯金斯（Paul Haskins）表示，奥运期间伦敦地区将会比平时多出约4000架次的航班。另外，在奥运会前后还将有700架大型客机和3000多架公务机在伦敦东南边的机场起降。
四年前的北京奥运会期间，北京首都机场共保障涉奥航班中170名各国元首、政要专机446架次，各类公务机630架次。而在2010世博会期间，公务机到访数量呈几何式增长，上海两座机场起降公务机超过3000架次，大大超过北京奥运会期间的首都机场。而首都机场的公务机楼也是专门为奥运会接待政商界专机、公务机需要而修建的，可以说奥运会开启了首都机场的“公务机时代”。
挑战与机遇并存
伦敦奥运会的公务机起降架次较北京奥运会增长了10倍，如此大规模的公务机起降与激增的民航航班叠加，为伦敦的空域管理提出了严峻挑战。除了运送观看奥运比赛的旅客的民航客机，在场馆周围进行电视转播的直升飞机，都将增加空域的拥挤程度。空管人员表示，类似气球、直升飞机等小型飞行器可能会跟民航客机争夺空域，因此将对这些飞行器进行必要的管制。所有VIP 直升机都不可能获允靠近体育场，任何国家的首脑都将不得不乘坐地面交通工具从伦敦市中心抵达比赛现场。
去年，英国民航局曾承诺为公务机运营人提供详细的专用空域安排计划，不过这些计划以及最终的空域指导还要等待英国国防部以及相关立法机构的通过。
从7月14日到8月15日，主要的空域限制集中在伦敦以及奥林匹克公园区域，而在8月16日到9月12日的残奥会期间，空域限制将减少。
根据英国政府空域安全规定，平衡大量上升的空域需求是NATS 的一项重要工作。通过广泛的咨询与模拟，NATS 提交了一份既不影响政府安全限制又能大大增强交通流的临时管制空域（CAS[T]）的成功建议。英国相关机构已经修改了去年三月首次规划的奥运会期间禁飞与限制空域的信息。在中国公务机数量和使用不断增长的情况下，英国对公务机较为“宽容”的飞行管理无疑具有重要的借鉴意义。
此外，伦敦周边的索森德、比金山等机场也有可能成为公务机和机主们的选择。专业人士建议，抵达伦敦东北方位奥运主赛场最方便的机场之一则是斯坦斯特德机场，南安普顿和范保罗这样的机场可能对于喜欢观看帆船运动的观众就极为便利。
厂商与服务商的支持
合适的飞机地面服务商能够提供有效的飞机管理、通关服务以及文书工作。一般来说，所挑选的地面服务商最好能够提前安排并支付相关服务费用，这样机组人员抵达后就无需再处理相关收费问题。
巴西航空工业公司在奥运会前就宣布，已有针对性地制订了全面、综合的计划，为到达伦敦的客户顺利出行提供支持。
巴航将与伦敦斯坦斯特德机场运营的巴航授权服务中心网络成员英福莱特公务机中心有限公司（Inflite The Jet Centre Ltd）共同对客户进行服务。包括安排驻场服务代表，如将英福莱特飞机地面紧急订货（AOG）行动小组成员的数量增加一倍，每周七天每天24小时待命，随时准备前往伦敦地区的所有机场及英国境内的其他城市。此外，英福莱特还提供关键任务工具及地面支持设备。
巴航也将进一步通过巴黎地区的喷气公务机服务（EEJS）中心提供支持。并通过其位于巴黎的主要航材设施，将英福莱特的现场航材库存总额增加至500万美元，确保奥运会期间航材的最佳供给。同时巴西航空工业公司还增加了物流支持，并采取了特殊措施，使任何有需要的客户能够从巴西航空工业公司任何分销中心获得航材备件，并可获得客户支持联络中心每周七天每天24小时的支持与建议。
英福莱特还为到访客户提供休息室、礼宾、搬运及停车服务，同时通过其固定基地运营设施（FBO）提供奥运会前后特殊航班运营及限制方面的建议。成立于1983年的英福莱特工程服务有限公司是英国航空领域排名最高的领先机构之一。
少见中国人身影
伦敦奥运会期间，可以预见除了政府专机外，来自顶级赞助商和大企业，以及大富豪的公务机成为主流，但与北京奥运会中国企业踊跃赞助不同的是，伦敦奥运会鲜有中国企业的身影。
公务航空人士认为，目前中国企业和企业家对公务机的使用还没有成为主流，但在国外很多500强企业对公务机的使用已经常态化，尤其是在奥运会这样的全球性、高规格、高关注度的顶级盛会上，国外大企业更加注重企业形象和商务效率，这也是伦敦奥运公务机流量爆增的一个重要原因。 国内对公务机的使用主要是民营企业，而民营企业在国际上的实力和地位并不突出，能在奥运会上呼风唤雨的少之又少。很难想象一家中国企业高规格赞助了奥运会，其高层团队会坐普通航班前往，这一点从北京奥运会接待的公务机情况就能看出来，主要赞助商企业均以公务机到访。
借着奥运会东风，北京一家旅行社推出高达888万元的伦敦奢华游，全程采用波音BBJ机型公务机，内部空间达到70多平米，而能否有人为此埋单尚无确切消息。另一家专注服务于顶级人士的俱乐部此前推出每人99万元，拟组织近百人的团队用公务机前往伦敦观看奥运和旅游，因为组织情况并不理想而取消。
英国康捷公务机公司负责人索麦薇告诉本刊，由于7、8月是欧洲的度假期，加上奥运会的举行，所以整个欧洲地区的包机业务异常活跃，比如从西班牙马拉加到英国曼彻斯特的包机价格只有数千英镑。
提供全球包机业务的艾尔环球商务服务公司中国区市场经理表示，目前公司对中国客户前往伦敦的公务机报价为32万美元，并且接到了私人的订单。这个价格较以往上涨幅度不小，因为奥运期间伦敦交通食宿都在涨价，仅机组人员在伦敦的费用就是一笔不小的开支，价格还是制约客户选择公务机去伦敦的重要因素。北京一家公务航空公司人士也透露，奥运期间，已经有两位老客户预订了去伦敦的包机业务。
目前国内公务机境外飞行审批流程还比较长，通常需要提前两周报批飞行计划，获批后才能飞行。在美国，公务机申请飞行只要在起飞前2小时提出即可，但中国国内一般需要提前三天向民航总局申请航线（国内航线）。事实上，私人团队前往欧洲如果没有特殊要求，也可以考虑不使用公务机，因为这种10多个小时的长途飞行，如果乘坐空客A380的头等舱可以更好地休息。在到达目的地后，在欧洲当地使用公务机出行，一是节省了使用成本，二是更加高效便捷。
10 times more movements than the Beijing Games
London has five airports, Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, City and Luton; Heathrow and Gatwick being the main hub airports. Heathrow has four terminals and is expected to receive 138,000 passengers a day between July 26 and August 3rd, vs. 95,000 on an ordinary day. To alleviate the pressure, all the charter planes and private jets are diverted to other airports.
London City Airport started to take bookings as early as February 1st. Business aviation professionals believe that jet users are not heeding the advice of booking far in advance. During the Games, London tightens airspace control over the city and beyond. Professionals urge operators to book slots well in advance. In the two weeks of the Games, more than 10,000 private-jet movements will take place, 40% more than an ordinary summer.
Paul Haskins, the London head of NATS said that London would have an additional 4,000 flights during the Games. In addition, there are 700 large commercial aircrafts and more than 3,000 business jets to take off and land to the southwest London during an extended period.
Four years ago, Beijing Capital Airport hosted 170 national heads, 446 aircraft movements for dignitaries and 630 private-jet movements. During the 2010 World Expo, the number of jets was a lot more. There were more than 3,000 movements, far exceeding the Beijing Games. The FOB in Beijing had been constructed especially to serve the Olympic VIPs. It is fair to say that the Beijing Games ushered the “private-jet era” for the Beijing Capital Airport.
Challenges and Opportunities
Aircraft movements for the London Games are 10 times more than that of the Beijing Games. Private jets and surging number of commercial flights pose great challenge to London’s airspace management. Furthermore, there are helicopters for live broadcasting, adding another level of congestion. Air-traffic professionals said that smaller aircrafts including balloons can compete for airspace with commercial airlines, and it is necessary to control all aircrafts. VIP helicopters will not be allowed to get close to stadiums, and all the national heads have to use ground traffic to get to the stadiums from downtown London. Last year, UK Civil Aviation Authority promised to provide a detailed dedicated airspace plan for operators, which is subject to approval by the Ministry of Defense and other legislative bodies. Tight control is to be implemented over London and the Olympics Park between July 14 and August 15, to be somewhat loosened over the Paralympics between August 16 and September 12.
NATS has the mandate to balance increasing demand for airspace. Based on broad consultation and simulation, NATS made a highly effective proposal –(CAS[T]) to increase air traffic without compromising on safety. Relevant UK authorities had revised the airspace restriction and ban originally proposed in March last year. This liberal approach can be learned by China, as more and more private jets are being acquired and used.
Moreover, Southend and Biggin Hill airports near London can be alternatives for users. The most convenient airport to reach the main stadium in northeast London is definitely Standsted, but Southampton and Farnborough airports are great for sailboat games.
OEM and Vendor Support
Ground service providers offer effective aircraft management, clearance and documentation services. It is usually advisable to make the arrangement and pay all the fees in advance, and spare the crew of additional work after landing.
Embraer announced well before the Games that it had a comprehensive plan to support customers traveling to London.
Embraer work with Inflite The Jet Centre Ltd, the ASC at London Stansted to fulfill its promise; measures include doubling the team for AOG, for 24 hours and 7 days standby. The team is ready to go to any of the airports in London and other regions in the U.K. In addition, Inflite also provides tools for key tasks as well as equipment for ground support.
Embraer shall further serve its customers through the EEJS in Paris. It will increase on-site aviation supply inventory at Inflite to $5million. Embraer will also step up on logistics support, taking special measures to enable customers to source aviation supply from any of its service centers. Contact centre is running 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.
Inflite provides a lounge, concierge, porter and parking services for arriving customers. It also offers information and advisory support on special flights operation and limits from its FBO. Established in 1983, Inflite Engineering is one of the leading aviation players in the U.K.
Chinese Rarely Seen
The London Olympics will definitely see charter and private planes from governments, top sponsors, large companies, the rich and famous. The Chinese companies however are conspicuously missing. Aviation professionals think that Chinese companies and businessmen have yet to make use of corporate jets. In contrast, many fortune-500 companies regularly use jets, especially for top events. Foreign companies care a lot more for corporate image and efficiency.
“In China jet users are mostly private companies, who are not really a strong force internationally. Even fewer could have a high profile at the Olympics. It is hard to imagine that if a Chinese company sponsors the Games, its top management would fly commercial airlines to be present at the Games. At the Beijing Games, sponsors all came on corporate jets.”
A Beijing travel agency is marketing its Rmb8.88million super-luxury package for the London Games, including a Boeing BBJ private jet with more than 70-meter internal height. There is no confirmation of whether anybody has signed up. Another top club offered a 990,000/person package and planned to organize a 100-person group to go to London on private jets. The club eventually had to cancel the trip due to disappointing signing up.
Gabriella Somerville, the head of Connect JETS told U-Jet that July and August are the holiday season in Europe, and now with the Games, the charter business in the entire Europe is extremely hot. It takes just a few thousand pounds to charter a plane from Malaga of Spain to Manchester in the U.K.
The China marketing manager of Air Charter Service, a global charter operator said that the company quoted $320,000 for a China-London return trip and had already got some orders from a few individuals. The price has grown a lot with all the price increases in London; the crew alone costs a lot. Prices are still a key consideration for customers. We heard from another Beijing operator that two of their old customers had booked jets to London for the Games.
Today, the approval process for cross-border routes is still lengthy. Operators have to make an application two weeks in advance and get the approval before taking off. In the U.S., one only needs to apply two hours before departure. In China, it still takes three days to apply for domestic routes. “In fact, flying on the first class of A380 to Europe isn’t that bad if customers don’t have special needs. Upon arrival, customers can use local jets to move within Europe. This option costs less and can be more efficient.”