DayJet Orders 239 Eclipse 500s, Options For 70 Additional
Aircraft
Eclipse Aviation Monday said it's signed a five-year deal with
DayJet Corporation, a company specializing in "per-seat, on-demand"
jet services. Under terms of the deal, Eclipse will supply the
fleet with next-generation, very light jets (VLJ), which when
combined with DayJet's real-time operations system, will enable
DayJet to offer its on-demand jet services on a "per-seat" basis,
according to an Eclipse statement.
The first 24 months of the five-year agreement, which extends
through 2010, includes firm orders for 239 Eclipse 500 jets and
options to purchase 70 additional aircraft. Deliveries will begin
shortly after the Eclipse 500 receives FAA certification, which is
on track to occur in March, 2006.
"Market and technology forces have combined to make this the
right time for 'per-seat, on-demand' air travel, and our
relationship with Eclipse is a cornerstone to our strategy," said
DayJet president and CEO Edward Iacobucci. "Eclipse pioneered the
VLJ category, and the Eclipse 500's low acquisition and direct
operating costs in combination with its excellent performance make
it an ideal platform for delivery of our services. We are excited
to announce this order, securing DayJet's early access to the
market-leading aircraft needed to scale our business over
time."
DayJet's "per-seat, on-demand" jet services are designed to make
what was once an elite mode of transportation broadly available.
DayJet will provide services to outlying regional markets that have
limited, if any, scheduled airline service today. By offering its
services on a "Per-Seat," shared ride basis at prices that are only
slightly higher than full-fare coach, DayJet will make "On-Demand"
air transportation more practical and affordable for a much larger
percentage of today's mobile workforce.
"We have been working with DayJet since 2002, so it gives us
great pleasure to disclose our relationship with our first
On-Demand fleet customer," said Vern Raburn, president and CEO of
Eclipse Aviation. "Driven by a shared passion and commitment to
bring innovation back to aviation, Eclipse has leveraged
next-generation technologies to establish a breakthrough value
proposition for jet travel, while DayJet has used computing
advances to create a sophisticated personalized air transportation
network. The integration of these two powerful solutions will
redefine business travel, making air transportation between
regional markets a commercial reality."