CitationAir Launches Jet Access Program

CitationAir by Cessna has introduced Jet Access, a program it touts as a way for private aviation customers to enjoy pricing on a par with fractional ownership but without the capital investment, asset-valuation risk and remarketing fees that fractional shares involve. The program is available for the Greenwich, Conn. company's fleet of Cessna Citation Sovereign (in photo) and XLS models and-unlike CitationAir's jet cards, which are refundable-requires a one-year commitment for 50 hours of flying. Customers can renew their contracts at rates that are locked in for 36 months.

"A lot of customers out there have been very unhappy with the way they've been treated as they exit their fractional shares," CitationAir's William B. ("Woody") Harford told BJT. "For them, this kind of product is ideal." Harford, who serves as the firm's senior vice president and chief revenue officer, added that Jet Access might be particularly appealing to customers "who are not sure where the market's going for the next 12 months."