Corporations Look to More Safety, Time Savings for Executive Flights

With airport security lines growing and safety in the air remaining a substantial concern, many corporations are turning to private charter to eliminate wasted time and security hazards for their executives.

Dallas, TX July 7, 2004 -- In September of 2001, the U.S. entered a brand new world and the airline industry saw a challenge it had never faced before. With sudden fears about what it could mean to get onto a commercial flight, the public took to vacationing by car rather than by plane.

The government and airlines knew that security had to become the new, number one priority. Unfortunately for travelers who still chose to fly, this meant tremendous lines, long delays, and one inconvenience after another. Most passengers understand the need, but few are satisfied with the results.

This is doubly true in the case of traveling executives who find themselves in airports often, spending many more hours there than they used to. Considering todays executive salaries, this one fact has added financial strain to corporate bottom lines as executives have less time to do their work. And when the new security measures are put to the test and fail -- as they often still do -- companies have to wonder how safe their executives really are and why they are paying so much money to have their executives spend fruitless hours waiting to fly.

These points have led companies to increasingly consider private charters, which dont involve the kind of investment of purchasing airplanes, but that provide for far more convenience; are more restful for executives; and leave them with more hours to actually get work done because they dont have to face ticket and security lines.

While charter companies are under safety regulations, some corporations are still concerned about whether private flights can provide the safety of commercial airlines. "Not every charter company necessarily stands up to the strictest standards," admits David MacDonald, founder of http://www.regal-aviation.com [Regal Aviation], which has private hubs across the country. "But others are so strict that they become safer than commercial planes. Plus, when you charter a flight, youre not flying with perfect strangers, any of whom might pose a real threat to the rest of the passengers."

Like many charter companies wanting to prove their safety, Regal Aviation submits to independent safety and compliance reviews by the company that literally http://www.aviationresearch.com/Services/onsite_audit.asp [wrote the book] on safety audits: http://www.aviationresearch.com [Aviation Research Group] (ARG)/US. Unlike most companies, though, Regal Aviation is among the few that have achieved a Platinum rating. "The ARG/US audit is by far the most thorough in the industry," says MacDonald. "Of more than 3000 companies they currently rate, only about 30 of us hold their highest rating."

MacDonald believes that, as executives turn more and more to private charters, charter companies will finally take their own safety standards more seriously. Until then, he says, Regal Aviation will enjoy being among the elite. "We have always believed in quality before all else. When it comes to flying, that doesnt just mean service and luxury -- it also means being a leader in safety."

The commercial air industry, meanwhile, will no doubt continue working on their own safety standards, but they dont have control over the speed and quality of security lines. So long as lines like those hold people up for an hour or more, corporations will have every reason to keep considering charters and getting more out of the executives they rely on so much for their success.

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Scott Newell
Regal Aviation
Ph: 214-654-0994
http://www.regal-aviation.com

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