Planet Nine (Planet 9) bolsters managed aircraft fleet in teeth of the pandemic

Wednesday 20th January 2021

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Planet Nine,  the Van Nuys, California based private charter operator and aircraft management company,  added a Bombardier Global Express BD-700 (N551SW)  ​ to its managed fleet at the end of December, the third aircraft to go on to its Part 135 Air Operator's Certificate since the pandemic took hold in March 2020.   

Two more aircraft - a Global Express and Dassault Falcon 7X - are currently being readied to join the managed fleet by the end of February.  Both will be available for charter, boosting the Planet 9 family of owned and managed aircraft to  14.

Planet 9, which has operations bases in Teterboro, New York, London and Lisbon, has seen more clients turn to the safe cabin environment of its private aircraft to keep their families protected during the pandemic.  Much of its flying over the recent holiday season has been to the Caribbean Islands, especially The Bahamas and Turks & Caicos - from both US and European airports. 

“Our floating model aircraft operation has enabled us to support a wider range of charters and flight repatriations this year, often at short notice.  We have flown for charter brokers on both sides of the Atlantic, as well as assisted with urgent medical professional flights,” said Matt Walter, Planet 9  Cofounder and Director of Business Development.

“With the US borders still closed to people from the Schengen region and vice versa, leisure and business travel between North America and Europe continues to be very restrictive,” he added.

Planet 9 was busiest in December and early January prior to the UK going into a second lockdown for a month.

The popularity for Caribbean travel from the US is expected to continue through to the end of January, suggested Matt, noting another trend is for last minute, 72 hours’ notice of travel.  “We have a range of ultra-long-range aircraft now, so are better able to fulfil these short-notice requests.”

Planet 9's latest Global Express is configured for 14 seats in a three-zone cabin with an enclosed state room.  Its range is 5,830 nm / 12 hours’ flying time.  In common with other high-spec aircraft in the Planet 9 fleet, the aircraft offers KU band WIFI, accessible via eight large iPad loaded with a selection of movies, enabling clients to be connected and entertained on their journeys.  Up to 15 medium-sized cases can be carried in the cabin hold.

New sales and MRO appointments

 

Supporting its expanding business, Planet 9 has added a dedicated sales manager Zachary Schudrich ,  based in New York and a maintenance manager, Alex Wellham, based in London.

 

 

Planet 9's Bombardier Global Express

About Planet 9  

 

Planet 9 is headquartered at the iconic Van Nuys Airport in Los Angeles, California and also maintains a presence in New York and London.  It  flies corporations, family offices and UHNWs from the West and East Coasts of the USA to destinations including Europe, Russia and the Middle East.  It  is led by a highly experienced team of aviation professionals and its business plan utilizes a ‘floating fleet’ model.  Planet 9 centres on the Dassault Falcon 7X fleet as its ‘owned’ aircraft of choice.  Planet 9’s Falcons all feature sparklingly refurbished cabin interiors, including full Wi-Fi and IFE from Gogo/Swift Broadband.  

 

Its managed aircraft division comprises  three  Gulfstream GV’s, a Gulfstream G550, Gulfstream G650, two Bombardier Global Express.  Planet 9 also operates (and owns) for charter five Dassault Falcon 7Xs.   Its entire fleet is under 10 years old.

 

Planet 9 holds ARGUS Platinum safety certification, closely followed by the endorsement of IS-BAO Stage 1 (International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO), duly satisfying IBAC it is consistently delivering high operational standards in all aspects of its business.   Previously, it obtained Wyvern Wingman status, under its onsite flight leader program.

 

Please visit   www.flyplanet9.com  for more information.