MONEY CAN'T BUY ME JETS - PRIVATE JET SET ARE GROUNDED
-Record numbers are trying in vain to hire private jets as the volcanic ash closes down Europe's airspace-
In the last 24 hours online private jet platform www.privatefly.com, has been inundated with
private jet charter requests from people trying to get in and out of the UK, willing to pay whatever
it takes to get on a flight. Hits to PrivateFly's online cost calculator and iPhone app have
increased 300-fold, dealing with unprecedented jet requests from frustrated air travellers grounded in
UK airports, by the cloud of volcanic ash that sits over Europe.
But until the airspace is reopened, private jets are under the same no-fly restrictions as scheduled airlines.
However, Adam Twidell, PrivateFly's CEO says they are making all preparations to swiftly move customers as
soon as possible. "Budgets have gone out of the window for some customers, but not even all the money in
the world can buy you out of a Volcano no-fly zone"
Business and leisure travellers alike are finding themselves stranded. First thing this morning,
the PA to a team of four corporate lawyers put out an urgent request to the private jet booking network.
They needed to sign an agreement in Nice at 1300 hrs today, Eurostar is completely booked up, and they were
willing to pay over £100,000 (over 10 times the market value) to find an aircraft and crew willing to break
the no-fly zone.
Families and leisure travellers have also turned to private charter for the first time. A Kent-based couple,
Mr & Mrs Davis, are due to attend their daughter's wedding in Geneva this afternoon but their scheduled
airline was cancelled last night. "We're not part of the private jet set, but what price do you put on
attending your daughter's wedding? Money is no object here" said the father of the bride.
However, Twidell says "We have mounting requests to be the first out. By using smaller, local airfields
without slot restrictions, and by accessing our online network of over 7000 aircraft based worldwide,
we will be in the best position possible to help people stranded by the airline backlog and chaos"
"Private charter is about flexibility, time-saving and direct A to B travel. It's no longer about luxury,
or for the privileged few - and even outside of these exceptional circumstances;
we are seeing many consumers now turning to private charter when it really counts".
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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