Jumpseat Ride: Flying Charters
Flying an airliner can be a lot of fun...and work. This is more than true for charter flying operations. The schedule is usually fluid and the work hours long. Nevertheless, many charter pilot will tell you they enjoy every minute of their job. This week, we look at an overseas charter operation that offers flying opportunities in one of the most scenic destinations on Earth.

Air National is New Zealand's dedicated private and corporate charter airline specializing in private air charter throughout New Zealand, Australia and the South Pacific. Operating under the Air National Corporate group of companies, Air National is fully approved and certified by the New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and operates from fixed-based facilities at both Auckland and Wellington International Airports. Their professional and friendly team operates under an extremely knowledgeable and competent management structure which includes: full-Time aircrews, technical support personnel, avionics and airframe engineers, ground handlers, marketing operations support, air charter sales/costing personnel and in-house travel agents.

In early June construction started on Air National and partner company SkyCare International's new hangar facility at Auckland International Airport. The new hangar will become home to some of Air National's fleet of five 19 seat regional turbo-prop aircraft, three privately owned jet aircraft operated by partner company Jet Plus, and visiting private jet aircraft being handled by Air National's FBO SkyCare International. The hangar will have a reception area, private lounge facility, offices and a boardroom. The new hangar is due to be completed by the end of September.

Benefits of Air Charter
Air charter provides customers with a range of benefits not necessarily provided by all scheduled airline services: flexibility, convenience, efficiency, security, safety, and privacy. With air charters, you fly where you want, when you want, in your choice of aircraft, and with who you wish, you even get to select your own catering! With scheduled airline services, an increasing amount of time, productivity, confidentiality and security can be lost. Time can be wasted in queues, with reservation hiccups, ticketing issues, luggage check-in and collection, potential loss of luggage, and not to mention delays with incoming and connecting flights. More and more business and leisure travelers are discovering the advantages of air charter knowing that time is money and wasted time is a lost opportunity. Aircraft charter offers travelers the freedom to organize their travel around their own needs by having a range of aircraft at their disposal anywhere in the world.

Come Along for the Ride