Latest news with #privatejets
Daily Mail
25-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE New York's super rich are using private jets like taxis as trips to elite islands just 300 miles away soar
New York's super-rich are using private jets like taxis, with trips from Manhattan to relatively close vacation islands like Nantucket soaring, an aviation expert has revealed. Star Jets International founder Ricky Sitomer told he has seen an increase in demand for journeys less than 300 miles rise by around 35 percent over the past three years. 'We can provide any jet, any time, anywhere,' the private jet service CEO said. 'We have 1,500 aircraft worldwide which can make use of more than 5,000 airports. Our clients can get an aircraft with as little as two hours' notice.' Sitomer's frequent short-haul flyers are 'celebrities, athletes, real estate people, and C-level executives', including hedge fund managers and crypto heavyweights. Sitomer said popular trips include 'helicopters and C-liners to the Hamptons, Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard and Toronto'. He estimates that these kinds of trips have rocketed in demand by 35 percent over the past three years. Customers pay thousands of pounds per journey, with a jet for eight people from New York to Nantucket costing around $5,000 each way. 'During the summer you get a lot of short trips,' Sitomer said. 'In winter you get more demand for long-haul trips to the Caribbean.' 'Right now, Europe is heating up,' he added of the long-haul trips. 'Formula 1 is around the corner next week in Monaco, so we have a lot of travel there. 'There's demand for the Greek islands, the south of France, Portugal and Spain. London is always popular.' Former stockbroker Sitomer has been providing private jet services since 2001, after spotting a gaping hole in the market when personal flights were much less frequent. 'Way back when I started in the industry, I was a private jet flyer and I didn't know where to go for a private aircraft,' he told 'The industry has grown and matured tremendously since then. I think there are a lot of operations out there now.' When it comes to on-board demands, Sitomer said he's had everything from requests for White Castle and KFC to lobster tails and caviar. 'I've heard it all,' he said, though he didn't divulge any specifics out of respect for the privacy of his high-profile clients. Of course, private jet travel comes with a cost to the planet as well as the flyer by creating an extraordinary carbon footprint. Celebrities like Taylor Swift who are well known for their luxury flying habits are frequently criticized for choosing gaz-guzzling jets over commercial travel. A recent study published in the the academic journal Communications Earth & Environment lays bare the figures showing just how much the rich and famous are relying on private jets for short journeys, and what this means for the planet. 'Flight pattern analysis confirms extensive travel for leisure purposes, and for cultural and political events,' researchers Stefan Gössling, Andreas Humpe, and Jorge Cardoso Leitão wrote in the report published November 2024. 'Emissions increased by 46 percent between 2019 and 2023, with industry expectations of continued strong growth.' This equates to 15.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide, or around 2 percent of all global aviation emissions. Titled 'Private aviation is making a growing contribution to climate change,' the study shows that half of these private flights are shorter than 310 miles - the distance from Manhattan to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Five percent of these flights are shorter than 30 miles, or the distance between Brooklyn, New York, and New Haven in the neighboring state of Connecticut. 'In many instances, private aviation options appear to replace cars for time gains or convenience,' the study reads. The authors of the report call for regulation of the sector so that the sky-rocketing emissions it's responsible for can be capped. Out of all celebrities, retired Google CEO Eric Schmidt racked up the most airmiles of in 2024, with a staggering 612,868 air miles across 495 flights, according to an online tracker. He was followed by Tesla tsar Elon Musk, who took 320 flights in his luxury Gulfstream G650 last year, and Kim Kardashian who has the same plane and took 236 flights. And in January Kim's sister Kylie Jenner was slammed after reportedly taking a 15-minute flight from Los Angeles to California's Camarillo Airport. When asked about the climate impacts of his industry, Sitomer told 'We are cognizant of the environment. 1. Eric Schmidt 2. Elon Musk (plane one) 3. Kim Kardashian 4. P. Diddy 5. Travis Scott 6. Jay Z 7. Bill Gates 8. Luke Bryan 9. Michael Bloomberg (plane one) 11. Donald Trump 12. Kylie Jenner 13. Mark Zuckerberg 14. Michael Bloomberg (plane two) 16. Steve Ballmer 17. Tom Cruise 18. Marc Benioff 19. Nike Corporation 20. George Lucas 21. Sergey Brin 22. Kenny Chesney 23. Oprah Winfrey 24. Steve Wynn 25. Alex Rodriquez 26. Phil Knight 27. Michael Bloomberg (plane three) 28. Lady Gaga 29. Dr Phil 30. Jim Carey 31. Matt Damon 32. Ron DeSantis 33. Jerry Jones 34. Mark Cuban 35. David Geffen 36. Steven Spielberg 37. Mark Wahlberg 38. Judge Judy 39. Elon Musk (plane two) 40. Dan Bilzerian 41. Blake Shelton 42. Google 43. Ronald Perelman 44. Under Armour Corporation 45. Taylor Swift (plane one) 46. Rupert Murdoch 47. Larry Ellison 48. Floyd Mayweather 49. Caesars Palace Casino 50. Drake Hilfiger 52. Peter Thiel 53. Kid Rock 54. Harrison Ford 55. Taylor Swift (plane sold) 56. Michael Jordan 57. Tyler Perry 58. Jeff Bezos (plane one) 59. Elton John 60. Playboy Corporation 61. Tiger Woods 62. Magic Johnson 63. Jess Bezos (plane two) 64. Phil Mickelson
Daily Mail
17-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Prime Minister accused of 'rank hypocrisy' over £102,000 bill for domestic flights
The Prime Minister has been accused of 'rank hypocrisy' after spending nearly three times more money on private UK flights than Rishi Sunak. Sir Keir Starmer has racked up a £102,000 bill for domestic flights since the General Election last July. In contrast, Mr Sunak spent £36,900 in an equivalent 10-month period from October 2022 when he became PM. Labour castigated Mr Sunak in January 2023 for making a 'mockery' of his environmental strategy when he took an RAF jet from Northolt to Blackpool. Later that year, the then shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves told Labour's party conference that she would clamp down on the use of private jets by ministers, attacking Mr Sunak's 'private jet habit'. She stated that under Labour, strict regulations would be imposed on ministers' use of private aircrafts to 'save millions of pounds for taxpayers'. In February, Sir Keir took a flight to Cornwall, which lasted 41 minutes – the same duration as the Blackpool one for which Mr Sunak was criticised. Mike Wood, Shadow Cabinet Office Minister, said: 'This is just more rank hypocrisy from Keir Starmer and his Labour government. 'Labour were all too happy to point the finger in opposition. But now in government, it is clear that this was just petty political point scoring and it's one rule for them and another for everyone else.'
Globe and Mail
16-05-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Falcon Makes First European Appearance at EBACE 2025
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, May 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- With EBACE 2025 just days away, Falcon, part of Alex Group Investment, is getting ready to welcome visitors at its booth during Europe's leading business aviation event, taking place from May 20 to 22 at Palexpo, Geneva, Switzerland. This will be Falcon's first time exhibiting at a European aviation show, where the company will introduce its full range of aviation services to the European market. Visitors will have the opportunity to learn more about Falcon Luxe (private jet charter), Falcon Flight Support, Falcon Elite (private jet terminal), and Falcon Technic (maintenance, repair, and overhaul), which together position Falcon as a true one-stop shop for business aviation services. 'Attending EBACE is a clear step into the European market,' said Mr. Sultan Rashit Abdulla Rashit Al Shene, Founder & Chairman of Alex Group Investment. 'We're proud to present Falcon's full capabilities to a new audience and open the door to meaningful, long-term partnerships.' The Falcon team will be present at Booth 864, ready to welcome visitors and discuss future opportunities. Discover more about Falcon's full range of services at: Private aviation, FBO, MRO, and Ground Handling Service - Falcon About Falcon Falcon is a premier aviation service provider, offering a one-stop-shop for all your aviation needs. With Falcon Luxe, we provide a fleet of modern private jets available for global charter worldwide, ensuring comfort and privacy for every journey. Falcon Elite features an exclusive private jet terminal (FBO), delivering top-tier service and an unforgettable experience before you even board. Falcon Technic offers 24/7 Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) services, not only for our fleet but also for third-party aircraft, ensuring optimal performance and reliability. Additionally, Falcon Flight Support is dedicated to making your travel effortless, providing personalized support from start to finish. At Falcon, all your aviation needs are covered under one roof. Media Inquiries Ines Nacerddine Director of Marketing - Aviation Alex Group Investment Email:
Times
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Times
I've flown on private jets. This is why billionaires love them
Is anyone truly surprised that Captain America (aka Donald Trump) is the latest member of what is fast becoming the world's least exclusive club? The Boys With Very Big Toys Club. And yes, it is almost always boys. Hillary Clinton and Melinda Gates fly commercial without complaint, while Akshata Murty's mother won't even pull rank and jump the queue at check-in. Even if he accepts the Qatari royal family's gift of a $400 million Boeing 747, Trump will not necessarily top the leaderboard. Many people have many more planes than him. Billionaires fall into two categories: those with a private plane, and those with a fleet of private planes. These are the multibillionaires who typically own a couple of very large aircraft — a Boeing
Forbes
12-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Bernie Sanders Doesn't Need To Apologize About Private Jet Travel
On Special Report, the Fox News nightly newscast with Bret Baier, there is a segment called Common Ground. The host interviews elected representatives from the Republican and Democratic political parties who have found an issue they agree on and are working together to pass bipartisan legislation. The idea is that even in today's world of divisive politics, there are some problems that warring legislators can agree on. Business aviation now has a potential partner in Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders. Sanders has been under fire for his use of private jets for his Fighting Oligarchy tour. The Washington Free Beacon, citing campaign filings, reports Sanders spent $221,723 chartering private jets during the first quarter of 2025. Friends of Bernie Sanders also spent $63,830 on commercial airline tickets. There was $41,000 on lodging. Event production cost $248,240. The New York Post reported the cost of Sanders' charter jet at $15,000 per hour. That infers roughly 15 hours of private flights. In fact, the tour included stops in Omaha, Nebraska, Iowa City, Iowa, Kenosha and Altoona, Wisconsin, Warren, Michigan, North Las Vegas, Nevada, Tempe, Arizona, Greeley, Colorado, Denver, Colorado, Tucson, Arizona, Los Angeles, California, Salt Lake City, Utah, Nampa, Idaho, Folsom and Bakersfield, California, and Missoula, Montana, before winding down in Philadelphia, Harrisburg, and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. It was probably a lot more than 15 hours and a good number of events were in April and May. Sanders was challenged by Baier about using a private jet for his the tour. He called flying by private jet "the only way to get around." "You run a campaign, and you do three or four or five rallies in a week…the only way you can get around to talk to 30,000 people. You think I'm gonna be sitting in a waiting line at 30,000 people are waiting?" Sanders told Baier. He concluded, "No apologies for that. That's what campaign travel is about. We've done it in the past. We're gonna do it in future." News Night on CNN discussed the Baier interview with Sanders. Their host, Abby Phillip, noted, "(Sanders) is going from rally to rally. I've covered a lot of campaigns, and everybody flies private, including the press, because you cannot make those stops commercial." Former Biden-Harris National Coalitions Director Ashley Allison added, "That's the American dream—to start out in the middle class and go up the economic ladder." She added flying privately is "a means to an end because he has to get a lot of places." Allison also noted Sanders' hypocrisy. She told fellow CNN panelists, "I think when you're saying there should be no billionaires, well, billionaires fly on private jets." While former NBC Meet the Press host Chuck Todd took issue with Sanders's defense of his private usage, the fact is that criticizing people who can afford to fly privately for doing so is the same as criticizing somebody for driving their car to work instead of walking three miles, taking a bus and a subway, and spending more half their life commuting. Door-to-door time savings (69%) compared to airlines is the top reason private aviation flyers spend the money to fly privately. This was followed by being able to use more convenient airports (52%) and not having nonstop flights (46%). It's worth noting that 35% fly privately to save time versus long trips in the car. In fact, 89% of private aviation users surveyed by Private Jet Card Comparisons use scheduled airlines and private jets. We can only hope that Senator Sanders and some of his colleagues, who have used private jet travel as a lightning rod to make their points about wealth inequality, social programs, and tax policy, will focus future commentary on substance instead of hyperbole. After all, according to an industry advocacy group, business aviation supports over 1.3 million jobs per year in the U.S. alone. Private aircraft connect more than 5,000 airports compared to less than 500 by scheduled airlines. The same aircraft politicians use also fly thousands of relief flights annually. These flights bring aid and medical services to places that would be hard to reach by road or that airlines don't serve. Moreover, private aviation is also the expressway for time-sensitive life-saving organ transplants. Sanders has long been an advocate of American workers. Perhaps one of the aircraft manufacturers or major flight providers will invite Sanders to visit their plants and facilities to meet some of the 1.3 million people who make the private jets fly. Perhaps, they will may find some common ground.
