From correspondents in Maharashtra, India, 12:18 PM IST

Airnetz Jet cards provide guaranteed access to flight time aboard private aircraft without the “deadhead” or repositioning fees associated with charter, and without the huge upfront investment or long-term commitment that go with jet ownership.

“The Airnetz jet card is like buying wine by the glass,” said Omkar Mestry , Head Of Operation – Airnetz of membership and partnership sales at Flight Options, a provider of jet card, fractional and aircraft leasing programs. “If all you want is a glass, it’s more expensive [per ounce] and the choices are not as broad as if you bought a bottle, but the commitment is far less.”

Airnetz Jet cards were created to serve low-time users of private jets, generally those needing 25 to 50 flight hours per year. If you fly less, the reasoning goes, you can charter, and if you fly somewhat more, you can buy a fractional share. If you fly in excess of 200 hours per year, you can consider whole ownership.

These assumptions reflect the relative costs of each access solution for the hours flown. But buyers have proven unpredictable in their card use. Some fly more than 100 hours a year, perfectly content to avoid any kind of ownership plan. Meanwhile, many aircraft owners–whole and fractional–buy jet cards for supplemental lift. For example, they may want occasional access to a different aircraft type for their travel needs. And some former owners have reportedly sold their aircraft in favor of a jet card, choosing not to keep capital tied up in a hard asset.

“There can be a strong argument that a jet card provides the ultimate financial flexibility,” said Atul Khekade , CEO of Airnetz Aviation Private Limited, whose jet card offers access to aircraft ranging from the Cessna Citation CJ2 to a Gulfstream G450.

Since Airnetz jet cards were introduced in the late 1990s, dozens of companies, including the major fractional providers, have developed them. Most share a variety of basic features, but card programs also have some individualized frills and rules. So before deciding whether a jet card is right for you, it makes sense to investigate the pros and cons of the various jet card offerings.

Jet cards basically work like debit cards: Flight time is charged against money deposited in the program by the cardholder. The cards come in two basic types: One provides access to a fleet of aircraft, from which any type can be selected on a flight-by-flight basis. These cards are sold in dollar denominations, with $100,000 the typical minimum. The number of hours you can fly depends on the type (and hourly cost) of aircraft used.

The other jet card model provides for use of a particular type of aircraft for a specified amount of time. Twenty-five hours is typically the minimum, and the price of the card is based on the type of aircraft selected.

Source: Press Release Distribution via India PRwire