Opening January this year for pre-owned and new business jets.
Based in London, it has already welcomed hundreds of visitors leading the founder of The Jet Business, Steve Varsano, to believe this enthusiasm is driven by the increasing interest from clients visiting from emerging markets
“Every client that has walked through our doors has been genuinely interested in the aircraft market and the technology we are showcasing,” he says. Some 20% of visitors are first time buyers, but the majority of the company’s business is from repeat, referral clients and a rapidly increasing base of new face-to-face introductions.
“The interest we are receiving here in the showroom, mirrors the fact that the market for pre-owned aircraft, especially at the upper end of the market continues to grow,” he continues. The opening of the London showroom has had a positive impact on the Jet
Business’ brokerage aspect too. It has secured new Letters of Intent and also doubled the number of pre-owned aircraft it has on exclusive listings in its marketing portfolio.
“We are selective about what we take on,” explains Mr Varsano. “The majority of clients visiting us are looking for super mid-size, long range or ultra long range aircraft, but occasionally they want a business turboprop in addition to a jet to complement the jet on short
range trips. In addition, there is a steady interest in executive helicopters.”
Furthermore, with the emphasis these emerging market buyers place on interiors – impacting the price a client is prepared to pay by an average $500,000-$2 million – Mr Varsano also wants to enhance the company’s iPad application to help clients design their own interiors. He explains, “We are moving towards an application where we can change the colours of aircraft seats or choice of material, in an instantaneous virtual representation of the cabin with just a few simple clicks, reducing what previously took months to complete, to just minutes.”
The Jet Business is also increasingly helping clients who want to secure new positions on brand new business jet models. Some manufacturers are bringing their clients in to view their products on the giant electronic video wall, which runs the length of the showroom. The Jet Business’ unique customised iPad app displays full-size comparative fuselage cross-sections, aerial views and performance specifications of up to 122 business jet aircraft currently available and actively traded on the market today.
$44.6m for the Gulfstream G550 shown here
www.thejetbusiness.com
