AirSprint Private Aviation: The Ultimate Business Tool

Too often, private aircraft are considered a luxury that is reserved for those who do not want to fly with the masses. But that is a misconception that couldn’t be farther from the truth!

In fact, according to the Canadian Business Aviation Association’s (CBAA’s) 2023 Economic Impact Report, business aircraft are commonly used to transport employees; improve productivity through more efficient scheduling; reach key customers in a timely manner; enhance the supply chain; turn travel time into private work time; and transport cargo and finished goods.

Most business aviation flights are time-critical, with many users located in smaller centres without commercial airline service. According to the CBAA’s affiliate in the U.S., the National Business Aviation Association, business aircraft serve 10 times more airports than commercial airlines. In addition, small companies operate the majority of business aircraft, with seven in 10 having less than 1,000 employees.

Founded in 2000, AirSprint Private Aviation has grown to be the busiest private aviation operator in Canada, serving Fractional Owners from coast to coast.

As of July 2024, the company’s Fractional Ownership fleet totalled 36 jets, including Embraer Praetor 500, Embraer Legacy 450, Cessna Citation CJ3+, and Cessna Citation CJ2+ aircraft. Between 2020 and 2023, the company clocked an impressive three-year growth rate of 96 per cent, as more and more Fractional Owners climbed on board, initially driven by the pandemic to explore a safer way to travel.

According to data provided by WINGX over the last 12 months (as of August 2024), AirSprint flew 27 per cent of all private business jet flights in Canada—excluding those performed for medevac and the government. Its next closest competitor logged just seven percent of flights during the same period.

AirSprint is wholly committed to safety and has achieved the ARGUS Platinum Rating, a respected independent business aviation safety rating. In fact, safety is the first of AirSprint’s six core values—the other five are people, service, integrity, humility and community.

“Ultimately, these values came from our Fractional Owners,” said AirSprint President & CEO James Elian. “We have always been customer-led. Over a decade ago, we compiled our customer feedback and used it to create our core company values. These values remain critical to our success today, with safety being the number one priority—nothing is more important.”

Essentially, AirSprint Fractional Owners purchase or lease a share of an aircraft and pay an Annual Overhead Fee covering the fixed costs (ex: pilot salaries, crew training, insurance, maintenance, hangar storage and any administrative support).

In return, they are allocated a set number of flight hours per year—AirSprint blocks begin at 25 Annual Hours and increase in increments of 25. They are then charged a fixed hourly rate for the time spent on board.   

One of the key benefits of Fractional Ownership programs is that in addition to their particular aircraft, Owners have guaranteed access to a fleet of identical aircraft. At AirSprint, a jet will be guaranteed with as little as 24 hours’ notice.

With all maintenance and operational services and expenses covered by their Annual Overhead Fee, AirSprint’s Fractional Owners reap the benefits of whole aircraft ownership without having to deal with the intricacies, surprises, and costs of day-to-day operations.

Scott Wenz, VP Sales and Marketing and Chief Growth Officer at AirSprint, explained why individuals are attracted to the company’s Fractional Ownership model.

“First is the safety piece,” he said. “Fractional has been independently shown to be 10 times safer than charter. Safety is first and foremost for people.”

Second, AirSprint Fractional Owners value the flexibility that comes with private air travel.

“As an AirSprint Fractional Owner, they can access more airports across North America, landing on shorter runways that are closer to their ultimate destination,” said Wenz. “Plus, we fly on their schedule.”

AirSprint Direct Flight Routes | 30-Day Snapshot

Finally, AirSprint does not charge positioning or re-positioning fees, meaning that Fractional Owners do not pay for the jet to fly home after it has dropped them off somewhere. They pay only for the time they are on board.

“This is a key point for companies that have executives in multiple locations,” said Wenz. “Companies don’t have to pay for the jet to go and pick them up. Likewise for personal travel—an Owner can send the jet to pick up a family member and bring them back home, for example.”

He pointed out that 30 per cent of AirSprint’s sales are derived from referrals.

“We’ve had a strong year in the Maritimes and in B.C., which is fantastic for us and our Fractional Owners. Having a few key people in each centre, our level of service speaks for itself, and interest grows through word of mouth.”

Scott Wenz explained that AirSprint’s 525 Fractional Owners tend to use their aircraft in two ways: either they are flying out to see clients, or they are bringing clients to them.

"We have one Owner in the Toronto market whose primary challenge was that customers were reluctant to travel to his manufacturing facility due to distance, time commitment, and limited commercial flight options,” he said. “Now, he flies his customers in on his aircraft, providing a comfortable and hassle-free journey. They can tour the facility without the burden of extended travel time or overnight stays, returning the same night. This makes the entire process convenient and efficient."

In other situations, Owners use their jet to visit regional offices. The aircraft makes it possible to visit two or three centres in one day, even if they are in markets not serviced by commercial airlines.

“It’s an effective use of their time—it’s like a boardroom in the sky,” said Wenz.

“Using another example, we have an Owner who lives in the B.C. interior. They need to travel to major markets in Canada, and they had to connect through Vancouver first—but with their aircraft, they can travel efficiently. They leave from their own local airport and save time because they can show up right before the flight.”

Other business benefits associated with AirSprint Fractional Ownership include tax deductions (under specific circumstances); the ability to upsize or downsize your aircraft based on transportation needs; tailored service provided by an assigned AirSprint Personal Flight Concierge; and access to a quality fleet with locked-in prices. Of course, guaranteed access to that fleet and fees that are charged only while on board are also key advantages. Plus, if Owners book a same-day return trip, they will earn 20 per cent bonus hours to be used on a Saturday.

Finally, Wenz pointed out that all Owners have access to AirSprint’s “empty legs.” If they—or a company delegate or relative—want to fly home on an empty repositioning flight, they can do so at a flat rate. It’s essentially a company perk that can enhance job satisfaction and promote employee retention.

Although AirSprint is headquartered in Calgary, the company has bases all over Canada. Its largest market is Ontario; in fact, AirSprint is the busiest private operator out of Vancouver, Kelowna, Calgary, Edmonton, Regina, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Toronto, Montréal, and Halifax. Pilots are based across the country, serving Fractional Owners in every province.

Recently, AirSprint launched a campaign to expand into secondary markets across Canada. These areas are often underserved and lack convenient commercial flight options, requiring connections through larger cities.

“These locations are markets that will generally have enough business that the use of private aviation makes sense,” explained AirSprint President & CEO James Elian.

“They often don’t have international flights in these places—and also, they are not close to a large concentration of private aviation. If I look across the country, this might include places like Victoria, Kelowna, Kamloops, Red Deer, Medicine Hat, Saskatoon, Regina, Québec City, Ottawa, and most cities in the Maritimes—places where you have to connect through a big hub airport.”

He said the further an Owner is from a major hub airport, the more AirSprint’s Fractional Ownership program makes sense.

“From a money perspective, if they want to access private aviation using regular charter, they’d have to pay for the aircraft to reposition to their city. We don’t charge them for that. Our program allows for a major market feel without the major market.”

Elian said AirSprint’s Fractional Owners come from a diverse range of industries with unique travel needs and expectations.

“Some may require frequent, last-minute trips to various locations, while others might need tailored amenities for business meetings or a family trip. What we excel at is delivering personalized service that caters to these specific requirements, ensuring their satisfaction with every trip,” Elian said.

When asked to outline the AirSprint value proposition, Elian invoked the oft-repeated phrase that “time is money.” He went on to add that “AirSprint’s true unique benefit is that we have been able to improve on the private aviation experience while putting it within reach of exponentially more people via our shared cost model.”

When compared to regular charter providers and owning an aircraft outright, AirSprint’s Fractional Ownership solution saves both time and money.

“Our business model utilizes the aircraft better than anyone else in the country,” he said. “On average, we fly around 900 hours per aircraft, per year. Among the next top 10 operators, we have triple the utilization.”

From a cost perspective, this allows AirSprint to spread operational costs among many Owners, so the economics are better. Elian added that while some one-off charters could sometimes be cheaper, customers should beware: “If you have to pay for the empty legs to go back and forth or for required services such as de-icing, it may not be cheaper. At AirSprint, you only pay when you’re on board.”

Plus, there is the key advantage of guaranteed availability. During the pandemic, a saturated charter market sometimes meant that clients could not fly when they wanted to, or they were forced to settle for less suitable aircraft. In contrast, AirSprint ensures that a jet will be ready for its Owners with just 24 hours’ notice. This guarantee provides unparalleled reliability and flexibility, allowing Owners to plan their trips with confidence, knowing that their aircraft will be available when they need it.

Elian said that often, when Fractional Owners realize how convenient the service is, they begin to use it in ways they didn’t foresee—fitting in more personal time or travelling to family events, for example. In other words, they realize a quality of life that is significantly different from what they intended when they signed on with AirSprint.

Finally, he pointed out that when the chips are down, the true value of the AirSprint service comes into play.

“The real moments that matter are the ones where something significant has happened—a health scare or a death in the family, for example. When something life-changing happens, we are there to take care of our Fractional Owners. It’s all hands on deck to make sure they are looked after in those moments of need.”

Sustainability is paramount in today’s business aviation industry. AirSprint is Canada’s busiest private aviation operation, but it also leads the industry in sustainable business practices. The company currently offsets over 90 per cent of its flight activity, with a goal to be 100 per cent offset by Jan. 1, 2025.

“The biggest gains will be realized through sustainable aviation fuel—and although availability is not there yet, as it becomes more prevalent, we will increasingly use it,” said James Elian.

He added: “The one thing I think will make a difference is that AirSprint represents 27 per cent of Canadian business jet flights, and we’ll soon be 100 per cent carbon offset. We’re the leader in sustainability in Canada, so our commitment to sustainability will result in our competitors going down that path as well.”

Elian doesn’t see business aviation going anywhere any time soon. People will continue to use it to save time and increase operational flexibility. At the end of the day, private aviation fills the mobility gap.

“However, I think there will be evolution in the models,” he predicted. “Nothing should remain static. I think new technology such as autonomous, electric-powered quad rotors will evolve private aviation even more. The advent of AI will enable better access to private aviation with more innovative models, more sustainable aircraft, and more personalized experiences. As usage grows, prices can be lowered, and more people can use it. Overall, I see a very positive future. AirSprint is ready to embrace the evolution.”

At the end of the day, how does Elian sum up AirSprint’s “secret sauce?”

“The AirSprint value proposition has been so attractive to Canadians because of our demonstrated safety, exceptional service, a cost model enhanced by our structure and high utilization, and a price point that is more achievable,” he said. “Plus, the guaranteed access and ease of use. The combination of all of those things makes it attractive.”

“Having said that, it still comes down to having a team of people who genuinely care about delivering the best possible experience. I’m proud to say that our team is among the best in the industry.”