CLEVELAND--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Flight Options, LLC, the second-largest company in the global private jet travel industry, today announced that it has received the nation’s most prestigious aviation safety rating, the Aviation Research Group/US (ARG/US) Platinum Safety Rating, for a sixth consecutive time, the most ever by a fractional jet operator. By earning the biennial Platinum rating for a sixth time, Flight Options has held the designation for 12 consecutive years, the most ever in the private jet industry. The rating is the result of independent evaluations and a multi-day on-site audit that assesses candidates against industry best practices.
“We are honored that Flight Options is the first and only fractional provider to receive the ARG/US Platinum Safety Rating six consecutive times,” said Michael J. Silvestro, Flight Options Chief Executive Officer. “Coming on top of a third consecutive year of sales and operating gains, including a 53 percent increase in new fractional owners, this rating is the icing on the cake for us. It is something that cannot be purchased, and it reflects our steadfast commitment to ensuring the safety of our passengers and crews. It is the product of a culture focused on safety in every part of our operations. It is a tribute to the dedication and efforts of the men and women of Flight Options, in the air and on the ground.”
ARG/US, an internationally respected aviation research firm, is the world leader in conducting on-site audits and analyses using recognized safety benchmarks and awards the Platinum rating, the industry’s most highly prized safety designation, to those companies that have achieved the highest safety standards.
“Only companies which meet or exceed the established ARG/US standards for equipment, maintenance and crew experience can achieve a Platinum rating for safety,” said Joe Moeggenberg, president and chief executive officer of ARG/US. “Flight Options has demonstrated an unmatched commitment to continuous improvement in all areas of aviation operations, maintenance and safety, and we applaud their efforts.”
The safety rating is awarded on the basis of a comprehensive biennial assessment conducted by ARG/US that evaluates criteria including historical safety ratings, current aircraft and pilot background checks and passage of a comprehensive on-site safety audit. Air carriers that meet or exceed the criteria can receive ratings of Platinum, Gold or Silver. ARG/US first offered the ratings in 2000.
In 2002, Flight Options became the first fractional provider to receive the coveted Platinum rating, and this year is one of only two fractional providers to receive the rating. Out of the larger universe of approximately 2,159 Part 135 operators, which include commuter, charter and on-demand aviation companies, fewer than 5 percent currently hold the ARG/US Platinum rating.
Flight Options was the first fractional provider to launch an Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP). In place now for more than five years, it has helped the company tailor training programs to identify and address areas of opportunity to continue improving safety standards. No other fractional provider uses ASAP to this degree.
Flight Options also leads the fractional industry in fatigue management policies. Not only does the company exceed FAA standards for maximum service hours, but it also has pioneered innovations such as reducing a pilot’s duty day if his or her circadian rhythms are disrupted. Flight Options pilots, who are among the industry’s leaders with an average of 25 years of flying experience, also are able to withdraw from duty without penalty for any reason if they feel unsafe or unfit to fly.
Flight Options offers its clients a range of programs at a cost of up to 31 percent less than its competitors, combining the low hourly rates of charter services with the safety and consistency of private jet ownership. The company operates a fleet of more than 100 jets for over 1,300 owners and members and also operates five of its own full-service maintenance centers nationwide to ensure the highest levels of maintenance, service and safety. In 2011, Flight Options took delivery of more new business jets than any fractional operator worldwide
“With more than 1,300 owners and members and a fleet of more than 100 aircraft, we have the wings to lead this industry for years to come. The ARG/US Platinum Safety Rating affirms our commitment to ensuring the highest standards of safety, just as we provide excellence in value, comfort and convenience,” said Silvestro.
About Flight Options
Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Flight Options, LLC is the second-largest private aviation company in the United States, providing more than 1,300 owners and clients with a full suite of fractional ownership, membership and 25-hour jet card programs. The company’s fleet consists of more than 100 aircrafts, including the Hawker 400XP, Nextant 400XT, Embraer Phenom 300®, Hawker 800XP, Citation X and Embraer Legacy 600®, flying clients to most of North America, the Caribbean or Europe with as little as ten hours' notice. With five FAA Diamond Award-winning maintenance centers in Las Vegas, Teterboro, West Palm Beach, Sacramento and Cleveland, Flight Options was the first fractional jet operator to receive the ARG/US Platinum Safety Rating and is the only provider to have received the rating six consecutive times. More information is available at www.flightoptions.com or by calling 877.703.2348. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or download the Flight Options iPhone Application.