How long has the airline been in business?
Experience in the airline industry is absolutely essential. An operator must be familiar with the legal regulations – and there are thousands of them! Europe has more then 2,000 airports. But no two airports are the same. Long years of experience save unpleasant surprises and can help to avoid delays. How many pilots know that they can only pay cash in Trabzon (Turkey) or that a landing on the Charles de Gaulles airport in Paris is only possible in combination with a scheduled flight and that in Prague the fuelling procedure usually takes a long time?
Does the company have a valid AOC?
In the EU, AOC (Air Operator Certificate, in the USA Air Carrier Operating Certificate) is the prerequisite for granting a company with an operational approval for the performance of flight services. Basis for the granting of an operational approval by means of the AOC is the regulation (EG) 1008/2008 of parliament and council, which on November 1, 2008 replaced the regulation (EG) no. 2407/1992 of the council. In Germany the LBA (Luftfahrtbundesamt, German federal aviation administration) is responsible for the approval. Take a look at the AOC. Link to LBA
Are there references?
References are hard to find in an industry that lives on discretion. Ask for them anyway or inquire about business partners or acquaintances
Were you informed about the booking and cancellation policy?
Each reputable operator will already present his booking and cancellation policy in the quotation phase. Ask him for his general terms and conditions and in the event of ambiguities.
As a rule the final price contains all services necessary for the flight (crew, airplane, aviation spirit, handling, airport fees, etc.). A necessary deicing is usually calculated in arrears.
Is the imprint on the website complete?
This question may not seem important, but a website must contain the following information:
- Complete company name
- Form of company (GmbH, AG etc.). Be careful with Ltd.!
- CEO
- Contact data such as address, phone number, fax and Email
- Registration court number (HRB) and tax number (VAT-number)
- AOC number
Does the offer / booking deviate from oral agreements?
In practice aviation companies must strictly keep the regulations of the legislator. Particularly the necessary length of the runway results in the fact that some airports must not be approached. To get a coveted assignment, some operators sometimes promise more than they can legally keep. In practice the landing on a particular airport is promised, but in the confirmation is written another airport. Watch out for such methods!
Do the employees give comprehensive answers to questions?
When answers are poor, this may have various reasons:
- the employee does not know it better
- he does not want to answer
- he lacks the time
In all three cases you should insist on an exact answer or rethink your decision.
Experience of the crew
Flying is a dream of many, and some of them realise it with their own pilot’s license. Flying, however, takes more than just a flying test: it takes experience, instinct, reliability, and sense of responsibility. In Executive Aviation a sense of service and the ability to communicate are also of major importance.
A smooth flow in the cockpit is relevant to safety. Therefore the pilots must complete a CRM-training (Crew Resource Management). Well-attuned crews that have spent hundreds of flying hours together, are an important quality feature. Ask how many flying hours the relevant pilot has made and how long he has been flying for the company.
Additional costs
Executive Aviation does not have flat rates. Usually the prices depend on your flight data. Alterations of these determinants usually result in alterations of the price. The following additional costs may arise:
- costs due to overnight stay of the crew (arising in the event of delayed departures, when machine and crew cannot return to their home airport)
- fees for delayed or early landings
- deicing costs
- cost for alternative airports, if landing on the originally scheduled airport is not possible
The following additional costs should be fixed already before booking:
- booking of an air hostess
- special catering wishes
- fee for the use of the satellite phone
- reservation of a VIP-lounge
- booking of a transfer
Do you have the feeling that it is all about the price?
Does the operator underbid his quote afterwards? Then he obviously wants the assignment at any price. Be careful, this could be a sign of financial problems.
If the offered price seems to be too low or too high, ask another company just to be safe.
Deviations
Be careful, if some aviation companies offer a route on which other operators refuse to fly. You should particularly have a closer look in the event of offers to fly to the airports Lugano, Bozen or Mannheim. These destinations are very popular, but they can only be approached under special circumstances.
You should also inquire about the range. Although it is obvious beforehand that an intermediate stop for refuelling is necessary on certain routes, some operators offer the flight non-stop. During the flight they then “sell” the astonished passenger that the intermediate stop only became necessary due to “special weather conditions” or other unforeseeable events, possibly even winning them your gratitude.