DayJet Corporation today announced a 30 percent expansion of its “Per-Seat, On-Demand” service network with the addition of two primary DayPort™ and 14 secondary DayStop™ markets. Orlando and St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Florida are the latest DayPort markets to gain direct connectivity to more than 60 community airports across Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina and South Carolina.
Since the launch of its “Per-Seat, On-Demand” jet service last October, DayJet has tripled its core DayPort service network. In Florida alone, 83 percent of the state’s population now lives within 40 miles of a DayPort airport. With today’s service expansion, the company is continuing to grow “Per-Seat, On-Demand” service operations into Southeastern states with the addition of new DayStop markets in Anderson, S.C.; Asheville, N.C.; Atlanta, Ga.; Athens, Ga.; Birmingham, Ala.; Gulfport, Miss.; Greenville, S.C.; New Orleans, La.; Rock Hill, S.C.; and Tuscaloosa, Ala.
“As commercial carriers continue to reduce service in response to rising fuel costs, the communities beyond airline hubs suffer the consequences,” stated Ed Iacobucci, DayJet president and CEO. “The rapid contraction of regional transportation options is causing many Southeastern communities to become increasingly isolated. With few or no flight options, business travelers in these communities are forced to spend more time on travel. We are solving this problem today by expanding our efficient and affordable jet service to the communities that need it the most.”
Shrinking Transportation Options
The nation’s air transportation system is facing a crisis. Nowhere is this more evident than in short-haul, small- and medium-sized markets. As scheduled airlines improve efficiency by focusing on higher-volume markets, flying larger aircraft less frequently and on longer flights, business professionals conducting regional business operations are losing most of their air travel options. This year alone, regional air carriers have scaled back, eliminated or announced plans to withdraw service from medium and small communities around the country – including many current DayJet markets in Florida such as Gainesville, Naples, Orlando, Pensacola, Sarasota and St. Petersburg-Clearwater in addition to Montgomery, Alabama and Savannah, Georgia. Hundreds more markets nationwide are expected to suffer further service reductions by year’s end.
Marcos Marchena, Chair of Florida Transportation Commission, stated: “We always encourage travel alternatives for Floridians. We know better mobility means better economic development. DayJet represents a creative travel alternative with a focus on convenience. With 83 percent of Florida’s population residing within 40 miles of a DayPort airport, business travelers statewide will now have even more affordable options.”
Orlando: Business Hot Spot
DayJet will operate from fixed based operator (FBO) Sheltair Aviation Services at Orlando Executive Airport (ORL). Located in central Florida’s Orange County, Orlando is the nation’s 27th largest metropolitan area with a total population over 2 million. Consistently ranked among the strongest economies in the country, Orlando is recognized internationally as an innovation hot spot and top city for entrepreneurs and business.
However, the Official Airline Guide reports that the number of scheduled seats departing Orlando is expected to drop by nearly 6,900 per day, and by next December, there will be 13 percent fewer seats available on scheduled flights.
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer stated: “Orlando is one of the most popular destinations in the world in terms of air travel. Adding DayJet service at Orlando Executive Airport complements our existing air transportation infrastructure and provides business travelers with more direct jet service to and from Orlando to the places they do business.”
St. Petersburg: Birthplace of Scheduled Aviation
DayJet will operate from fixed based operator (FBO) Sheltair Aviation Services at St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport (PIE). St. Petersburg-Clearwater is situated on Florida’s West Coast in Pinellas County along Tampa Bay – the nation’s 19th largest metropolitan area with a total population of 2.7 million. Recognized for strong job growth and high quality of life, St. Petersburg-Clearwater is also known as the birthplace of scheduled aviation.
St. Petersburg Deputy Mayor Dave Metz said: “DayJet is a breath of fresh air to communities like St. Petersburg. The ability to fly DayJet direct to more than 60 destinations across the southeast is a strategic boost to our existing air service.”
About “Per-Seat, On-Demand” Jet Service
DayJet has developed the world’s first “Per-Seat, On-Demand” jet service that makes the convenience of corporate jet travel broadly available and affordable for more people and organizations, turning wasted travel time into valuable business and personal time. “Per-Seat” means customers only pay for the seat(s) they need, not the entire aircraft. “On-Demand” means customers fly according to their individually negotiated time requirements. Business travelers can now book just the seat that they need aboard DayJet’s fleet of Eclipse 500™ very light jets (VLJs); customize travel according to their time and budget requirements; fly point-to-point between regional destinations; and return home in a single day.
About DayJet
DayJet is the largest fleet operator of next-generation very light jet (VLJ) aircraft and the pioneer of a new type of regional business travel. “Per-Seat, On-Demand” jet service is sold by the individual seat and customized for each passenger’s unique time and budget requirements— prices start at a modest premium to full-fare economy coach airfares. Headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida, DayJet is the first 100% all-digital air carrier. Combined with the speed and efficiency of Eclipse 500 VLJ aircraft, DayJet “Per-Seat, On-Demand” jet service has created the next major advance in corporate productivity and regional economic development. For more information, visit www.dayjet.com.
DayJet’s “Per-Seat, On-Demand” business jet service is operated by DayJet Corporation’s wholly owned subsidiary, DayJet Services, LLC, an air carrier registered with the Department of Transportation and the holder of an on-demand air carrier certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) authorizing operations under Part 135 of the FAA’s regulations under Title 49, Subtitle VII, of the United States Code.
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