Susanna Laurenti , Marketing Writer
March 09, 2006
If you've ever wished for the comfort and convenience of a private jet without the hassle of ownership, Avantair could be for you.
The fast-growing aircraft company with offices at Palm Beach International Airport specializes in selling "fractional" ownership of its seven-passenger planes. Customers can buy from 1/16th percent to 100 percent of a luxury jet, entitling them to use it for a pre-set number of hours.
"With air travel being what it is today, this is really an ideal solution for many people," said company owner and Palm Beacher Alfred Rapetti, a retired investment banker who purchased three-year-old Avantair last October. "Our clients are from across the board – business and family travelers."
That broad-spectrum appeal seems likely to increase under Rapetti's leadership. Upon taking the reins of the company, he immediately ordered new Piaggio Avanti II planes, a uniquely shaped turboprop he says is known for luxury, fuel efficiency and a superior safety record. In all, Rapetti said, he plans to add 59 aircraft to Avantair's 22-plane fleet in a deal totaling more than $360 million dollars to deliver two aircraft per month. Each will be staffed with a crew specially trained by the Elementary Etiquette Society of West Palm Beach – run by Rapetti's wife, Celeste – to provide top-notch customer service.
know what kind of quality and efficiency customers are looking for," said Rapetti.
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"It is really like the Swiss Army Knife of aircraft. It can basically handle any mission customers are likely to throw at it," he added.
Business and family travelers wishing to avoid commercial flights have long turned to charter planes, but fractional ownership has distinct advantages over simply renting a plane, said Rapetti.
"With charter services, you can sometimes get an older plane or one that has not been kept up, and you don't know who is operating it. Our planes are maintained to the highest standard and you know your crew. It's a matter of quality," he said.
Avantair client Daryl Scott of Jacksonville agreed. The chief executive officer of Venus Swimwear has been a client for three years and gave the service rave reviews.
"I liked it so much I added hours," said Scott, whose company owns shares of two jets. "The Piaggio happens to be very efficient and far less expensive than a charter plane or most of the other fractionals on the market."
Scott recalled an occasion when he had looked into chartering a plane rather than using Avantair.
"The charter service was going to be $15,000 one-way. With the Piaggio, the total cost would have been $4,000," he said.
Costs for shares of Avantair planes can run from $390,000 annually for 50 flight hours to more than $6 million for unlimited
access. Monthly maintenance fees ranging from $7,900 to $126,400 also apply. Owners can book trips 24 hours in advance, a guideline Rapetti himself put to the test before deciding to invest in Avantair.
"I bought 1/16th of a plane and basically became a nightmare customer. I called late in the day and said I needed to be on the other side of the country in the morning. I pulled up to the Tarmac with a pickup truck full of luggage. I really put them to the test," he said.
The company passed muster, handling every one of Rapetti's requests with courtesy and professionalism. Soon, he was stepping into the driver's seat with big plans for expansion.
In addition to purchasing the new planes, Rapetti is in the process of transferring Avantair's headquarters from Caldwell, N.J., to the St. Petersberg-Clearwater Airport, where he is building extensive office and hanger space on 24 acres of land.
He has also brokered an exclusive deal with luxury carmaker Ferrari, allowing him paint his personal plane "Ferrari red" and emblazon the tail with the automaker's famous rearing-horse logo.
"It really was quite a delicate deal. Ferrari is very protective of its image. This is the first time anything like this has ever been done," said Rapetti.
Paving the way for the agreement was the fact that Piero Ferrari, son of Ferrari's founder, is chairman of Piaggio Aero, the company that produces Avanti. Avantair is a sponsor of the Ferrari Challenge Race Series and in January awarded 10 hours in the specially painted aircraft to Palm Beacher Jeff Fisher, whose 212 Inter Vignale took "Best Ferrari in Show" at the 2006 La Bella Macchina. That event was sponsored by West Palm Beach-based Jet Aviation at the Palm Beach International Airport in conjunction with annual Cavallino Classic Ferrari convention headquartered at The Breakers Palm Beach.
The Ferrari-painted plane will be among 10 luxury aircraft that will make up the fleet of Prancing Horse Aviation, a charter airline Rapetti is launching in partnership with Jet Aviation. It's just one of many ways he said he plans to extend special services to his neighbors on Palm Beach.
Other perks include a flights staffed with a professional security officer, allowing them to land at Reagan International Airport near Washington, D.C. Because of the terrorist attacks of 2001, flights without armed security
personnel are not allowed access to the conveniently situated airport, said Rapetti.
"We are the first fractional to offer armed security on our flights. Now, customers can attend a reception in Washington, D.C., in the evening and come home the same night," he added.
The company also recently announced an addition to its chauffeur service for Avantair owners who fly into and out of West Palm Beach: The driver is a former Secret Service agent who has provided security detail for former U.S. presidents and celebrities.
"Offering this level of security to the owners in the Avantair program further demonstrates our commitment to providing the highest standards in customer service in the industry," Rappetti said.
According to Avantair's Web site, the company serves 5,000 airports in the United States, as well as destinations in Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.
For more information about Avantair, call toll-free (877) BUY-P180 or visit the Web site www.avantair.com.
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