ShrimpBurrito From United States of America, joined Nov 2010, 3 posts, RR: 0 Posted (2 years 6 months 2 weeks 6 days 19 hours ago) and read 3895 times:
I am studying the concept of forming a small transcontinental startup airline serving a niche market. Most likely, we would do a wet lease/charter for two ERJ140's, or maybe CRJ200's. My guess is the acquisition arrangement would be for at least 1 year of operations with an option to extend to 1-3 additional years. Each aircraft would run roughly 1000 cycles and 4000 hours per year, basically flying transcon every day with a refueling stop. We'd be flying them pretty hard.
Am I likely to find an operator for such a provision? If so, any suggestions? Most of the operators I have identified offer only larger jets, like the A319, as their smallest aircraft for long term charter/wet lease.
KevinL1011 From United States of America, joined Mar 2005, 2964 posts, RR: 51 Reply 3, posted (2 years 6 months 2 weeks 6 days 17 hours ago) and read 3851 times:
Express Jet provides ERJ-145 charter for group travel services. I've flown their charter flights twice and the service was great. Here's a link for more info.
ShrimpBurrito From United States of America, joined Nov 2010, 3 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (2 years 6 months 2 weeks 6 days 14 hours ago) and read 3798 times:
Many thanks for the replies thus far.
Quoting Fly2HMO (Reply 2): No, it's more appropriate here, but he should've used google first.
From what I can tell, both of these sites list aircraft for sale, not lease. I've called some sellers of ERJ135s, and they either don't lease or the lease is a dry lease to own, and thus, requires greater cash flow and lacks the amenities of the wet lease.
Quoting KevinL1011 (Reply 3): Express Jet provides ERJ-145 charter for group travel services. I've flown their charter flights twice and the service was great. Here's a link for more info.
Thanks for the suggestion. I'll give them a call, but it looks like they only charter ERJ145's, which I believe are considerably more costly to operate than the ERJ135's and 140's. Not necessarily a big deal for one charter flight, but when we're talking a thousand flights per year, obviously the premium is magnified.
Alias1024 From United States of America, joined Oct 2004, 2643 posts, RR: 2 Reply 6, posted (2 years 6 months 2 weeks 5 days 11 hours ago) and read 3564 times:
Quoting ShrimpBurrito (Reply 4): I'll give them a call, but it looks like they only charter ERJ145's, which I believe are considerably more costly to operate than the ERJ135's and 140's.
The ERJ145 is the same size as the CRJ200 you mentioned in your opening post. With the 135 and 140 you'd be giving up seats to get the cost savings.
It is a mistake to think you can solve any major problems with just potatoes.
ShrimpBurrito From United States of America, joined Nov 2010, 3 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (2 years 6 months 2 weeks 4 days 23 hours ago) and read 3476 times:
Quoting JRadier (Reply 7): Keep in mind that if you want to wetlease (or ACMI-lease) you will need your own AOC. It might be easier to initially start off as a full charter.
Yes, I just learned that, and I agree. I'm going to explore that route, too. I presume the primary disadvantage of running it as a full charter is that the initial recurring costs would be higher than a wet or ACMI lease.
JRadier From Netherlands, joined Sep 2004, 4597 posts, RR: 51 Reply 9, posted (2 years 6 months 2 weeks 4 days 22 hours ago) and read 3449 times:
Quoting ShrimpBurrito (Reply 8): I presume the primary disadvantage of running it as a full charter is that the initial recurring costs would be higher than a wet or ACMI lease.
With a full charter your variable costs (the flying) will be higher, but your fixed costs (the AOC and everything that comes with it) will be lower. The question is, what equilibrium makes sense for you?
For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been and ther
chieft From Germany, joined Jun 2005, 248 posts, RR: 0 Reply 10, posted (2 years 6 months 2 weeks 4 days 1 hour ago) and read 3331 times:
Quoting ShrimpBurrito (Thread starter): Am I likely to find an operator for such a provision? If so, any suggestions? Most of the operators I have identified offer only larger jets, like the A319, as their smallest aircraft for long term charter/wet lease.
Well, give us a chance. We can answer all your questions and realize your plan:
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