Brazilian operator Solojet Aviacao, based in Jundiai near Sao Paulo, has launched an aircraft co-ownership programme called SoloJet Shares, aimed at reducing costs and ensuring safe executive aviation travel. Commercial director André Bernstein says: “Daily we are surprised by new events that force us to develop as a society. With the economy oscillating between positive prospects for the long term and forecasts of short-term GDP shortages, airlines face difficulties in planning their fleets and personnel. Depreciation of the Brazilian real against the American dollar also plays a part in this difficulty.

“As we are an active company in the executive aviation market and always anticipating trends, we have developed a new business model that aims to democratise the use of private aviation in Brazil. We bring together two or more stakeholders from the same region and for similar use purposes, who share the aircraft and its acquisition and operating costs.”

Through SoloJet Shares, aircraft availability can reach up to 80 per cent and ops are professionally managed to guarantee safety and quality. “For the individual or company that already owns an aircraft, we offer the possibility to capitalise part of the aircraft's value in US$ by selling a fraction of it, and we provide professional operations to meet the demands of new members,” Bernstein continues. “For those who are not yet part of aviation, we make entry possible with an investment of 50 per cent or less of the total value of the asset, to receive the same benefit: an available aircraft. The benefits of the arrangement include: aircraft available up to 80 per cent of the time to travel in a safe and agile way; reduction of fixed monthly/annual costs; optimisation of the use of the aircraft; and a legal guarantee, through a partnership and operation contract.”

In recent months SoloJet has been receiving demands from customers. The model developed applies to all executive aircraft and helicopters operating in Brazilian territory. “As always, we believe in executive aviation as a work tool and time optimisation mechanism,” concludes Bernstein.