-As volcanic ash paralyses jet engine aircraft, old-fashioned piston planes have come to the rescue-
The few aircraft spotted in near-empty UK skies over recent days have been propeller airplanes,
whose piston-operated engines have allowed them to fly while jet engines are grounded.
These old-fashioned aircraft have fallen out of favour in recent years due to their lower flying
speed and range, smaller size and noisier engines - while private jet aircraft have become the first
choice of the discerning private aviation passenger. But, in one of the ironic twists of the travel chaos,
these Davids of the sky have defeated the jet engine Goliaths - and are getting numerous travellers home.
Online private charter aviation network PrivateFly.com has been inundated with urgent requests from customers
during the crisis and have been working with piston operators across Europe to get passengers moving.
Those stranded have been able to use ground transportation to make their way to smaller French airfields
such as Le Touquet, from where traditional piston aircraft have flown them across the channel to local
UK airports. CEO of PrivateFly and former RAF pilot Adam Twidell comments "In the midst of so much travel
chaos, there's great nostalgia in seeing these traditional aircraft owning the skies once more".
PrivateFly's customers include Michelle McGovern from Dublin, who was left stranded in London on Sunday
after a planned business day trip and unable to get home to her newborn baby. Within three hours of
her call, PrivateFly arranged a PA31 Piper Chieftain propeller aircraft from Lydd airfield in Kent
to Dublin Western airport (home of the Irish Air Force) with operator LyddAir. Michelle said "It was very
worrying but thankfully PrivateFly were able to respond so quickly. It was such a relief to get
back to my family".
Also on Sunday, telecommunications executive Andrew Reid and his wide Katy were facing the prospect of
missing the Scottish wedding celebrations of Olympic cycling star Sir Chris Hoy. But PrivateFly arranged a
flight from Kemble airfield near Cirencester to Aberdeen International on a Cessna 182 piston aircraft
with operator PropStar. Andrew said "We were so thrilled to make it against the odds and it
certainly added a note of drama to the occasion! We enjoyed the flight too - it was a great way to travel".
Private jet aircraft are still grounded across much of Europe's airspace. And worldwide - even outside of
the ash cloud - fractional ownership private jet companies have found their fleets frozen,
with so many aircraft out of position and stuck in Europe.
Twidell continues "We are working hard to find travel solutions for our customers, including those migrating
from fractional ownership companies or those turning to private charter for the first time.
Private charter offers access to a much bigger, global pool of aircraft and operators - and at
PrivateFly.com we work with over 2000 accredited operators with a combined fleet of around 7000
aircraft worldwide".
For further information, please contact PrivateFly at www.privatefly.com, or by calling 01747 642777.
-Ends-
Notes to editors
* PrivateFly.com provides instant and accurate estimates for any global private jet flight. All prices are market estimates and are subject to availability at the time of booking.
About PrivateFly:
PrivateFly is an online booking network that makes it quicker, easier and more cost effective to arrange private jet charter.
With over 2700 operators registered worldwide, PrivateFly is the only online aggregator for private jet charter in Europe.
PrivateFly combines online efficiency and transparency with offline expertise to offer a full-service VIP charter service to direct customers and partners.
The bespoke software has been created in-house specifically to meet the needs of charter customers and operators.
In February 2010 PrivateFly launched the world's first iPhone application to provide instant private jet pricing
on a mobile phone.
PrivateFly was recently announced as one of the Smarta 100 companies 2010, by a judging panel including Dragon's
Den's Deborah Meaden and other leading entrepreneurs, such as Bebo founder Michael Birch. The company also won
the innovation category of the Best Business Awards in February 2010.
Founded in 2007, the company is based in St Albans, Hertfordshire and has plans to expand within Europe and selected international markets throughout 2010.
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