New FBO On Isle Of Man Offers Savings On EU-ETS And Handling Costs For Business Aircraft Making Tech Stops

Oct. 19, 2012
Private Jet Company's new aviation facility promises savings of more than 60 percent to operators making tech stops prior to European destination

ISLE OF MAN,  BITISH ISLES– October 15, 2012 – Private Jet Company's new $4 million business aviation operation at the Isle of Man Airport (EGNS/IOM) now offers world-wide traffic the opportunity of cost savings on the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU-ETS), and  some of the lowest handling costs in Europe and UK for Tech Stops.

Private Jet now offers worldwide business aviation owners/operators, who make Tech Stops at the Isle of Man airport prior to their European destination, the opportunity to enjoy an immediate cost savings of more than 60 percent on EU-ETS carbon offsets on both the inbound and outbound legs to Europe. 

            The IOM FBO is situated in the Irish Sea between Northern England, Scotland and Ireland.                                                       

            The facility operates seven days a week, from 0630 to 2045 local, on a two-acre site with more than 226,000 sq. ft of ramp and parking space. Additionally, Private Jet has planning permits, for  a second phase of construction, to build  a new $2 million, 20,000 sq. ft. hangar with additional office space for lease. 

            Further, as the company has an established EU-ETS account, they will also help  operators by providing ETS recording and verification needed for ETS compliance data. Additional economic lifeboats include substantially lower handling costs than those incurred when making tech stops in Ireland or on the European continent.

            According to Private Jet owner Tony Corlett, "We plan to top our aggressive fuel pricing and  competitive tech stop handling charges with a newly announced, year-long, special offer. Let me briefly detail our current handling costs and what the new offering will entail

            "Right now our handling costs are more than 10 percent lower than what our competition charges at Shannon. For example, for a 40,000 kg aircraft making a Tech Stop at Private Jet, our handling costs would be 1,221 Pounds Sterling (GBP). This cost would include: pre-clearance, fuel arrangement, full use of all facilities, administration, communications plus towing and push back. Added to this Basic Charge would be an additional charge of 125 GBP for GPU, toilet and water," he said.

            "Further for the next year, we have an additional promotional offering aimed at reducing Tech Stop handling costs,” he said. "We've taken this step  to pull traffic our way.

            "As such, we will be offering a new incentive of an additional 25 percent discount on all handling charges for one year—beginning in November--for all handling requests of which we are notified prior to arrival as a tech stop," Corlett said.

            "What does this offering translate in savings? For the 40,000 kg aircraft, we will be savings them 308 GBP in handling costs," Corlett said.

ETS Cost Savings and Private Jet Amenities

            As the EU allowances for carbon taxes apply to aircraft emissions for the entire duration of the flight, what are the normal charges for an aircraft transiting to Europe?  If, for example, a corporate operator planned a flight from Houston Hobby (KHOU) to London's Luton (EGGW) in their Bombardier Global Express, the one-way (leg) estimated fuel burn would be 23,112 kg; the estimated C02 emissions would be 72,803 kg and the calculated ETS charge would be 1,456 Euros (at 20 Euros per ton).  Converted to US dollars, that represents an outlay of $1,870.             

            Another example would be a Falcon 7X flying from Van Nuys to Luton. It would burn an estimated 20,158 kg of fuel, produce 63,498 kg of CO2, and the estimated ETS charge would be 1,269 Euros or $1,650.                                                                           

            "Conversely—in both examples of aircraft flying from US destinations to London Luton—had these same aircraft landed at Private Jet for their tech stop, the operators would have saved more than two-thirds of the purported ETS invoice. In simpler terms, these US aircraft would have only been charged ETS  carbon taxes for the remaining 203 nautical miles needed to fly from the Isle of Man to Luton," Corlett remarked.

            "This same ETS cost savings applies to aircraft originating in the Middle East,” said Corlett. “For example, if a BBJ flew from Dubai to Luton, the fuel burn would be 17,180 kg, which would leave an imprint of 54,117 kg of CO2. The ETS tax would be 1,082 Euros or $1,483. But if the operator were to make a Tech Stop at Private Jet Company's new FBO, they would save more than two-thirds of their ETS cost.                                                               

            "Another important factor in choosing an FBO for a tech stop is handling costs. If we use the two US aircraft plus the Dubai-based aircraft as examples, the average handling cost (excluding the 25 percent discount) for each aircraft would have been approximately £1182.47 at 39 Tonnes MTOW, £902.47 at 32 Tonnes MTOW and £2197.47 at 78 Tonnes respectfully. Plus, they save almost thirds-thirds of the ETS charges." Corlett said

            Handling services would be provided under the European Business Aviation Association's (EBAA)  International Standard for Business Aircraft Handling. In addition to the basic handling, other multiple services include: landing and parking fees, trash burn disposal, lavatory, water, GPU, plus any other pilot requests.

            "Fuel costs would be based on market conditions that day. "We are very flexible in offering our customers substantial fuel cost incentives," Corlett remarked. Further, Private Jet always provides its customers with itemized billing, which itemizes and details all services rendered.

            "Saving time and fuel is critically important to all operators,” Corlett added. "Using the Great Circle Mapper, we found that Van Nuys to Luton, with a tech stop in Shannon, was 4,759 nm. But, by making your Tech Stop at our FBO on the Isle of Man, with a final destination of Luton, the aircraft would fly 42 fewer miles. That may not be much, but over a period of 25 flights to Europe the costs add up. Also, operators can execute high-speed approaches and weather is rarely a restriction, with an ILS on both runways"  Corlett emphasized.

            “Moreover, had this aircraft stopped (for their 25 trips) at Shannon for a Tech Stop they would have paid the full ETS offsets and almost 35 percent more in handling charges," Corlett said.                                                                  

            Equally important are passenger comforts. Neither Shannon handling agents have aviation facilities with passenger lounges. The normal passenger waiting area is usually inside the respective handling agent's hangar area. Conversely, Private Jet has a new business aviation center with  a luxury guest lounge for passengers to wait out the refueling process.

            "And, we understand that most transient aircraft operators may have the need for customs and immigration formalities upon arrival at their destination. When you make an Isle of Man Tech Stop your interim destination, Private Jet is able to obtain all immigration and custom clearances, by use of your APIS prior to your arrival. This service means we will have you on your way in less than 45 minutes—a quick turnaround," Corlett explained.

The FBO Complex

            Business aircraft have easy access to the new Private Jet complex from either runway 26 or 08  located on the northeast side of the airport. The Isle of Man airport  offers both ILS and LOC/DME on a newly extended 6,000-foot runway  Additionally, the new control tower was brought on line in 2012.

            Corlett wanted to design a facility that would take advantage of their assigned airport location. Particular care was taken with the building’s orientation to maximize ramp space and provide ease of access from the adjacent taxiway to park near the FBO's entrance, as well as entry into the FBO's hangar.    

            The environmentally designed 41,000 sq. ft. facility includes a 20,000 sq. ft. hangar with 28-foot height clearance. More than 4,200 sq. ft. is dedicated to the FBO, which is divided into two levels.                                                           

            The 2,100 sq. ft. lower level is comprised of a passenger lounge, customer service reception center, flight planning room, rest and sleep area for pilots, large  8-person board room, security screening area at the departure area and several Private Jet offices. The upper level is dedicated to office space for Private Jet customers.      

            "Over time, our customer reviews will document that our concierge and handling services are equal to higher standard  of  top-flight US FBOs,” said Corlett. “We're particularly proud of the fact that we help all flight crews with their flight plans and other ancillary requirements. That means, we file the flight plans and the APIS passenger information, gain all clearances, arrange for Customs, if requested and make sure all aircraft maintenance needs are met, where facilities and manpower exist.," Corlett said.

            The flight service center’s amenities include advanced flight planning and weather technology, pilot’s lounge, staffed reception desk, free WIFI connections, flight department office space, and a refreshment and coffee center. Upon request, customers also have the following services available: concierge, catering, cabin cleaning, power equipment, aircraft detailing, water and lavatory and Customs and Immigration.

            "Our services are the same for a tech stop as for an overnight or extended stay,” said Corlett. “We wear two hats, one as an FBO and another as a handling agent. Prior to building our new facility, we were—based on a true European definition—just a handling agent. We now provide turn-around services to aircraft by offering fuel from Shell, U.K. immigration/customs pre-clearance services and for most operations we have the aircraft and passengers onto their final destination in less than 45-minutes.                                                            

            In fact, based on the high standards of excellence set forth by EBAA's  International Standard for Business Aircraft Handling, once we  have received EBAA’s approval, in the very near future,  we will be considered a European Elite Handling operation.

            "Now we have expanded these offerings by providing passengers an actual ‘brick and mortar’ facility to enter where they can use our lounge during a Tech Stop, and take advantages of all the other amenities offered at a general aviation operation," Corlett added.                           

            All Private Jet line and CSRs are cross trained.. The cross training insures that CSRs know how to wing-walk an aircraft, while at the same time the line service professionals know how to handle fuel requests and other personal service requirements.

                        All line-service personnel are tested on the content of the line-service manual, including FAR 139 fire safety and strict EBAA line-service standards.

            The benefit of this stringent training is safe and efficient services. “The team can do a 45-minute quick turn-around on a Gulfstream 550 carrying 12 passengers, including refueling 4,000 gallons,” said Corlett.

            “Some may choose to stay longer at the Isle of Man, so whether it’s a business appointment, day of golf, casino visit or relaxation on our beautiful beaches, our customers will be whisked there in minutes,” Corlett said.  “As the commercial sector continues to grow in this area, superior concierge services will respond to all customer requests.”

Security Standards Take High Priority

            Security was one of the most important issues for the new FBO.                                                                

            In addition to a closed-circuit TV system that monitors every inch of the hangar and the entire ramp area at all times, two pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras were also installed to look in every direction in all operation areas,  Plasma screens in the line office and at the CSR desk project these images.     

            Private Jet also has a secure access control system. Every door that leads to a secure area, such as the hangar and ramp, is on a card reader key pad and monitored by a camera. The only way to get to those areas is with a qualified badge and PIN number. The FBO is also protected by Critical part Fencing, which was designed to meet the Department for Transport compliance for  perimeter security fencing. 

Future Maintenance Operations

            "We've modeled our hangar area to eventually house a maintenance facility,” said Corlett. This business opportunity would mean being fully equipped to perform most light and heavy airframe and engine jobs other than a hot section.

            Our initial staff would include an IA and A&P and if needed, additional manpower can be flown in from anywhere in the United Kingdom.                                           

            "In planning for the future we envisioned a maintenance shop space at the rear of the hangar that would be  designed for ease of access to all equipment, plus offer ample space to keep tools and other accessories out of sight when not in use,” added Corlett.

Long Term

            “We do not want to be the biggest—we want to be the best, and that meant creating a FBO based totally on our experiences. We have landed and seen services at thousands of FBOs over the years, plus explored multiple aviation communities.                                                                            

            "As such, we learned what we liked and what we didn't like. All told, those choices—what we liked—are represented in our FBO today,” said Corlett.            

            "The future for Private Jet  looks promising. We are targeting new business opportunities with our expanded resources over the next several years," Corlett concluded.