Offering 'Air Taxi' Service In DC Metropolitan Area
Stealing a march on the many
companies lining up to provide so-called "air taxi" service using
the upcoming crop of very light jets, start-up charter company Open
Air, based out of Montgomery County Airpark (GAI) in Gaithersburg,
MD, told ANN Wednesday it's now doing so... just not with jets.
Open Air earned certification from the FAA under FAR Part 135 on
January 24. It's the first carrier this year granted a certificate
pursuant to the revised mandatory safety standards and operations
specifications in accordance with FAA Notice N8000.347 (effective
12/28/06).
The company says it will provide on-demand "air taxi" services
for the Washington, DC metropolitan area. With its principal base
of operations at GAI, less than 20 miles from the nation's capital,
it's the most convenient airport for travel to or from DC according
to Open Air.
Instead of VLJs however, it will operate a fleet of brand new
Cirrus SR22 aircraft. The company says it chose the SR22 because
it's one of the world's best selling, technologically advanced, and
safest aircraft flying. And to coddle its passengers, Open Air has
equipped the planes with leather seating and XM Satellite radios
which passengers may listen to using Bose noise canceling
headsets.
The new Part 135 carrier says it will offer "luxury, non-stop,
and 'door to door' concierge service throughout the Mid-Atlantic
and Northeast regions" flying to airports and destinations not
served by scheduled airlines.
Open Air says it's offering a twist on traditional charter
service costs too -- all prices will be one-way with no charge to
fly the empty plane back to the originating airport. According to
information on the company's website, customers may purchase block
time in increments up to 50 hours. Cost per flight hour for the 50
hour package is $420 and increases with lower block times.
Non-block pricing -- Open Air calls it "air limo service" -- is
$595 per hour.
The carrier obtained FAA certification with the professional
oversight of its general counsel, Gregory S. Winton, a former FAA
and US Department of Justice attorney, 26-year pilot, and certified
flight instructor. The company says Winton personally examined its
management structure, policies, procedures, and aircraft.
According to Winton, "Open Air is a professional organization,
run by qualified aviation professionals in the most technologically
advanced aircraft available to the traveling public."