Flying your way: how your business can benefit from flying the truly friendly skies.

AuthorHeld, Shari
PositionBUSINESS TRAVEL

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WE'VE ALL EXPERIENCED the ordeal of flying--arriving at Indianapolis International or O'Hare International airports two hours before takeoff, navigating security checks, sitting around in airports waiting on delayed planes or gaps in service, and trying to reorganize after a cancelled flight. There's an alternative that could benefit your business and personal life.

"Only about 20 percent of businesses think of using air charter as a business tool," says Mick Pittard, president of Aviation Charter Services, based out of Indianapolis International Airport. "The other problem is even people who know about it often think air charter is only for wealthy individuals or large companies. There couldn't be anything more untrue about our industry."

That misconception appears to be changing, however. Over the last 10 years, more and more small businesses have discovered the benefits of charter services or purchasing their own planes, sometimes in partnership with other small businesses.

Putting a price on time. John Slegers, owner of Eagle Aircraft which operates out of Valparaiso's Porter County Airport, says that driving, especially for shorter trips, may be a better option than commercial airlines, and private flying, all things considered, may be the best option of all. The biggest consideration is time.

"You'll find out that charter is probably the cheapest form of transportation for the time saved," he says. "In this day of instant communication and instant information, the only thing that has gone backwards in time or that has not improved is personal transportation. Now you have a product that actually gives you your time back."

And even though our communication tools have vastly improved, there are some things that just have to be handled in person. "You still need to develop that trust," says Slegers. "In business you still need that eye-to-eye contact."

There are also other things to consider when it comes to comparing the "real" costs. "If you don't factor in all the intangible benefits, then most of the time charter will end up being more expensive than airlines," says Pittard. "So you have to look at the total cost. You have to figure the time savings, the number of people traveling, the cost of hotel rooms, cars, meals, and what we call morale time. The fact that you can give your employees more time at home with their families---that helps with employee retention."

On-demand service. "The airline industry being...

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