Turkish operator JetGlobe, sister company to flight support and ground handling provider Bilen Air Services, has been battling hard to keep flying as it faces up to the ongoing global pandemic and multiple lockdowns. The company's fleet comprises a Learjet 60XR, a Challenger 604 and three Global Express, and its AOC enables it to manage any corporate aircraft with up to 20 seats.

“This is a critical time in history for all of us,” says corporate business director Ayca Kocabas. “We have had to deal not just the pandemic, but travel restrictions and lockdowns. As these challenges have started to decrease, business flight requests have increased. First class airline passengers are now preferring to fly privately.”

To support passengers on their journeys, JetGlobe has gained a FlySkills certificate at Istanbul. The certificate is issued in partnership with risk assessment organisation Socotec and demonstrates that operators are implementing high hygiene and safety standards.

JetGlobe has also been in a strategic partnership with ExecuJet at Istanbul since 2011, jointly managing FBOs at Ataturk and Sabiha Gokcen airports. “All of our personnel are aware of the change process during the pandemic and use protective equipment,” Kocabas confirms. “We have implemented social distancing while keeping Turkish hospitality. We’ve finally reached 2021, which couldn’t come fast enough, but we have seen big changes occur in a short time. We’ve adapted to these changes quickly by performing flights to wherever possible.”

Kocabas says private aircraft flights are safer than commercial flights since the pandemic hit. “We follow the travel restrictions 24/7 all around the world to be ready for last minute flights and schedule changes.” Bilen assists the operation by providing ground services and flight support.

“We want to encourage passengers to have the advantage of flying with a private aircraft, offering extra gestures with unique flight packages at nice rates,” concludes Kocabas. “We expect a faster recovery on restrictions soon.”