Smart Air Travel Solutions – SATSair, a provider of on-demand air cab services, experienced more than 60 percent growth in the number of flights from 2006 to 2007 much of it coming from the diversion of passengers off scheduled air services rather than the more traditional diversion of passengers from cars. The air cab operation flew more than 16,000 flights and landed in 27 states in 2007. SATSair ended the year with over six million passenger miles flown since the company's inception in November 2004.
"We're extremely pleased with our 2007 and 1Q 2008 numbers and the growth they represent," said CEO and President Steve Hanvey. "2007 was a landmark year for our innovative business concept. In 1Q 2008, we have seen that trend continue even with the broad economic concerns of today. This is our fourth year in business; we're continuing to refine our air cab model that provides economical personal travel for our growing customer base."
The most noteworthy year-to-year growth was in Florida, which saw a 314 percent increase in flights over 2006. Though Florida showed the most notable growth, every state to which SATSair flew last year, saw an increase in flights from the previous year, including considerable growth in the company's core six-state region.
SATSair's headquarters is located in South Carolina which had an average of three flights per day into all the major economic centers such as: Greenville/Anderson/Spartanburg, Charleston/Beaufort/Hilton Head, Columbia, and Myrtle Beach. Just as importantly, of 60 public use airports in South Carolina, SATSair landed in 47 of them, providing the start of an effective South Carolina Intrastate Air Network.
Nearly 90 percent of the company's business for 2007 was in a six-state region, comprised of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. SATSair currently serves more than 600 airports throughout the Southeast.
SATSair uses a fleet of new, four-seat SR22 Cirrus aircraft with its unique Airframe Parachute System (CAPS) which will lower the SR22 safely to the ground in the event of an emergency. SATSair is the first company to offer the innovative air cab service based on extensive research and strategic relationships with agencies such as NASA and the FAA.