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Icejet, the private jet operator, returns to the annual International Luxury Travel Market in Cannes (7-10 December) to highlight the hassle-free experience, affordability and bespoke travel itineraries that can be achieved through chartering aircraft. “There are hundreds of city pairs in Europe currently not served by commercial carriers. We have a growing client base of people who call us because an airline’s schedule doesn’t cover where they want to go,” said Icejet Managing Director Jon Ingi Jonsson. “Aircraft charter is not just for the super rich.”
Cannes Mandelieu in the French Riviera, just 15 minutes’ drive from the ILTM venue, is just one example of a city location airport that caters exclusively for private jet and helicopter traffic. And it is Cannes that Icejet will be flying to for ILTM, carrying a selection of VIP travel buyers, in preference to the main Nice Airport, over an hour away. Icejet’s departure point from the UK will be London Oxford Airport which is also growing in popularity as a business aviation airport with no slot restrictions and its ease of access. Oxford Airport is within an hour’s drive of London’s West End.
Jon Ingi Jonsson comments. “Our Dornier 328 aircraft can carry a large group in comfort with a generous 750kg cargo hold with enough space for all their luggage, ski gear or golf clubs. At a more cost effective price than a Gulfstream 4 or 5, Falcon or Challenger 600 Series it is ideal for the short-haul leisure market and with its short take-off performance capability it can land at airports such as London City, Oxford and Lugano. Two of Icejet’s Dornier 328 jets are fitted with long range fuel tanks, enabling a 2,000 nm range, making them suitable for direct sectors such as London-Moscow and London-Marrakech.
Icejet, which is headquartered in Reykjavik, has two Dornier 328 Jet aircraft based at Oxford – one in a 14-seat luxury configuration and one in a 19-seat corporate shuttle layout. It has another VIP 14-seater positioned in Le Bourget, Paris and a fourth of the type is now operating out of a new base in north Italy. New clients that have been familiar with the 328 aircraft in Italy in its regional airline role have approached Icejet with much interest. “The 328 in a 14-seat layout is ideal for this region and operating on one to three hour sectors represents excellent value for money. We hope to be in demand in the southern Mediterranean region with this aircraft next summer,” said Jonsson.
“After what has been a very difficult year we are starting to see some green shoots in the charter market – especially in regard to music tours and road shows, which our spacious 328 aircraft are very popular for,” said Jonsson. From the beginning of July through to 24 September Icejet dedicated its 19-seater to the Leonard Cohen World Tour which took in cities such as Nantes, Paris, Lisbon, Venice, Istanbul, Palma, Vigo and Leon in Spain, Gerona, Monte Carlo, Cologne, Norde and Langesund in Norway, Dublin, Belfast and Tel Aviv. In the UK the aircraft flew into Farnborough and Liverpool airports. The tour was organised by Sound Moves of New Zealand and arranged through UK charter broker Classic Aviation Services. “This is the second occasion we have used Icejet for a Leonard Cohen tour and it went extremely smoothly. Their aircraft are always exceptionally well presented. The crew are very friendly and professional. Icejet really is a cut above the rest,” commented Philip Thompsett, Managing Director.
ILTM, organised by Reed Exhibitions, is the only business to business event dedicated to showcasing high-end travel suppliers to specialist luxury travel trade buyers from around the globe through an unrivalled pre-scheduled appointment system. For Icejet, whose clients include corporates, travel management companies, governments and event planners, this is a not to be missed opportunity to make new contacts.
Icejet is sharing its stand (T131) with UK-based charter broker Air Charter Ltd, which is marking its fifth year at the Show. Air Charter will be promoting its expertise in the charter of large (transatlantic) business jets as well as luxury helicopters.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
