Ventura Air Services recently took delivery of three aircraft, according to Nick Tarascio, CEO of the Farmingdale, New York-based company. With this investment in new aircraft, the company has significantly increased its fleet size in 2020 and plans to add more aircraft and staff in 2021.

Tarascio notes that industry-wide, charter flights in the US have rebounded, regaining a 90 per cent booking capacity since June. Ventura has experienced increased demand for charters flights in recent months. This is due in part to the growing number of new charter travellers seeking safety, convenience and air travel access. The operator is also offering opportunities to make charter travel more cost-effective.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the US federal government implemented a temporary moratorium on its 7.5 per cent excise tax for charter air travel paid for in 2020. To help new and existing customers benefit from this, Ventura is offering the opportunity to lock in tax-free flying in 2021 by prepaying for charter flights before the end of December. All prepaid customers will save 7.5 per cent and can receive additional bonus credits for savings up to a total of 11 per cent.

According to industry sources, commercial air travel is down 75 per cent in November due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Private air charter companies report relatively robust growth among travellers seeking safer and more convenient travel methods. As an essential business, Ventura has continued to operate throughout the pandemic, including providing dozens of life-saving organ transplant flights each month. These flights have been carried out in partnerships with several New York-area hospitals and are a significant part of the company's business.

“Our growth is reflective of the relative strength in the private aviation sector, coupled with our expansion goals,” Tarascio comments. “With the investment in our fleet and infrastructure, we are positioning the company as a leading air services provider in the New York region and beyond. Commercial aviation is on life support, and it's harder to get flights. Many people are leveraging the benefits of charter flights because of health concerns, the overall convenience and the exceptional experience we offer.”

The newest additions to Ventura's fleet include two Bombardier Challenger 604 10-passenger, twin-engine jets with a maximum range of 3,756 miles and a top cruising speed of 528 miles per hour. The company is also adding a Cessna Citation Excel 560 series two-engine jet that can accommodate eight passengers and has a maximum range of 1,657 miles, with a maximum cruising speed of 487 miles per hour. The company will have a charter fleet of eight aircraft by the end of the year with aircraft that serve North, Central, South America and the Caribbean.

Long Island Association president and CEO Kevin Law states: “This has been a challenging time for businesses in the state and throughout the country, and thus we commend a successful local company like Ventura Air for its commitment to staying on Long Island, investing in our region and hiring additional employees.”

Ventura presently employs 52 people and anticipates hiring an additional 25 over the next year. It plans to nearly double its size to accommodate the growth and hire pilots, flight logistics and aircraft maintenance staff.

“Private aviation is an important sector on Long Island and a vital part of the regional economy,” continues Tarascio. “I am very optimistic about the industry's growth, as well as our vision for expansion and providing more options to our customers.”