SATSair, a provider of on-demand air taxi services, said it surpassed five million passenger miles since the operation began nearly three years ago. It predicts it will reach 10 million passenger miles as early as next summer, nearly half the time it took to reach the first five million. Velocity Group forecasts a demand for about six million passenger trips per year in a mature air taxi system. It’s assessment of U.S. air taxi opportunities included an analysis of demographics and current services levels. Related Story
SATSair, Smart Air Travel Solutions, is the first company to offer the air taxi service based on extensive research and strategic relationships with agencies such as NASA and the FAA. The two agencies long-ago partnered in a joint venture entitled Small Aircraft Transportation System (SATS) designed to develop the concept of providing on-demand, point-to-point air service, using four- to 10-passenger aircraft with the newest technologies at the nation’s 5,400 public-use airports. SATSair’s service area includes much of the eastern United States, and the company plans continued expansion.
“We’re very excited about this key milestone in the growth of our organization,” said Phil Quist, SATSair’s vice president of business systems. “We’re not only excited about this key landmark, but about how our customers have helped us reach this point in our operation. This really validates the desire and demand for an affordable air cab system.”
SATSair flew its first passenger air taxi flight in November of 2004 when the company began with a single Cirrus SR22 aircraft and eight employees. The company now flies 26 aircraft and employs more than 80, which will continue to grow as the operation expands.
As one of the first next generation, air taxi operators, SATSair has shown the effectiveness of the air taxi concept, it said. With over 25,000 passenger hours completed and an average passenger load of nearly two passengers, SATSair has saved their customers approximately three hours for every hour flown, totaling 75,000 productive hours. Based on average time, meal, and hotel costs associated with traveling by car, SATSair’s customers saved an estimated $11 million during the five million miles.
“SATSair passing the five million passenger miles mark is an incredible accomplishment not only for SATSair, but in what it means to the rapid growth ahead for all of our members in the next generation air taxi industry,” said Air Taxi Association President Joe Leader.