Encomium
Chartered private jet operators are really having a swell time as they net in billions annually. Information available to ENCOMIUM Weekly revealed that the top 7 chartered jet operators make at least N22.4 million daily, N156.8 million weekly, N627.2 million monthly and about N7.5 billion annually.
According to our source, the chartered jet operators are Kings Airlines, Top Brazz Aviation, Wings Aviation, Associated Airlines, Overland Airways, Arik Air and Vistajet.
We reliably gathered that the cost of chartering a private jet ranges between $8,000 and $10,000 per hour. Industry analysts are of the opinion that each chartered aircraft operator makes an average of a flight per day, with each lasting two hours on the average.
Using an average of $10,000 per hour, the seven chartered jet operators make at least N22.4 million daily, N156.8 million every week, N627.2 million monthly and N7.5 billion annually. We reliably gathered that the top three jets used by them are Bombardier, Gulfstreams and Hawker jets.
Further findings by our source revealed that chartered aircraft operators are now engaged in intense competition over Nigeria’s emerging niche market, as they had introduced diverse upscale products to capture the country’s bourgeoisies.
The chartered jet market has been buzzing with activities in recent times, according to operators. They said the market had become so robust that the famous global chartered jet company, Vistajet, which is based in Switzerland, came into the Nigerian market about two years ago.
Industry sources revealed that more foreign operators were planning to enter the market very soon. The development, it was gathered, had forced the indigenous operators to begin re-strategising by buying new jets.
VistaJet has added to its $2bn aircraft order backlog by signing up for a Global 5000 and two Challenger 850 aircraft. A visit to some of the chartered jet and helicopter operators’ terminals at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, revealed a fast emerging market.
At the Caverton Helicopters hangar and Apple Green aircraft maintenance hangar beside the international wing of the airport, workers enthused about the prospect of a growing market.
Various manners of VIPs from the corporate world and government circles throng the terminals to patronise the operators.
Governors and key senators are known to be regular faces at the terminal. On a very busy day, clients hardly get enough space to park their fleet of cars at the Caverton hangar.
-FEMI OYEWALE
