Already a Cirrus operator, SATSair plans to add five of Cirrus Design’s SJ50 Vision Jet to its fleet to be able to offer aircraft that go beyond the 200- to 250-mile range of its current SR22 fleet. The jet, which took its maiden flight last month, includes Cirrus’ unique aircraft parachute.
"The Cirrus Vision Jets will bolster our successful business model by extending the scope of SATSair air cab services beyond its traditional range and will enable our customers to extend the reach of their businesses in a timely, efficient manner," SATSair President and CEO Steve Hanvey said. "The jets will allow SATSair to remain on track in providing its growing customer base with extended reach, speed and safety while it delivers exceptional personal service through convenience, luxury and affordability."
Jet service is another milestone for SATSair, which calls itself the “global pioneer in the next generation air taxi market.” Based in Greenville, it is the first air taxi operator to announce use of the Cirrus Vision SJ50, said the company which currently operates a fleet of 26 Cirrus SR22s, and it will integrate the Vision jet into its operations after the jet's certification is completed.
SATSair (Smart Air Travel Solutions) claims to be the first company to offer air cab service based on extensive research and strategic relationships with agencies such as NASA and the FAA, is ordering five Vision Jets initially, adding them to its current fleet of Cirrus SR22s. The Cirrus Jet took to the air for the first time on July 3, when it made a 45-minute flight from Cirrus Design Company’s worldwide headquarters at the Duluth International Airport in Minnesota. Related Story
"The Vision layout, developed for the personal transportation market, fits very nicely with our requirements in the air cab market and is a great complement to the SR22," Hanvey said. "Our goal is to continue to deliver the highest satisfaction ratings among our air cab customers and maintain the excellent operational results with the current SR22s, currently flying more than 80 hours a month and using a phase maintenance schedule."
SATSair is increasing the alternative to business passengers, who face the decreased accessibility and timeliness of major airlines that have been created by high fuel prices, long drives with heavy traffic, and economic concerns, said the company.
"The Cirrus Vision will meet the additional demands of the personal air market and will fit our business model perfectly," Hanvey said. "Our business model is based on operating single pilot and single engine planes at the lowest cost of operation, when utilized in a network across a given geographical area. We do not plan to operate a single pilot plane without a parachute option. Therefore, the Vision is an excellent next step to a mixed fleet that will continue to provide personal service to our current customer for legs longer than our traditional 200-250 mile trips."

SATSair Reports Dramatic Grouth
The company recently reported it experienced more than 60 percent growth in the number of flights from 2006 to 2007. 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.
The most noteworthy year-to-year growth took place in Florida, which saw a 314 percent increase in flights over 2006. Though Florida showed the most notable growth, every state SATSair flew to in 2007 saw an increase in flights from the previous year, including considerable growth in the company’s core six-state region in the southeast.
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.
Traditionally, the use of the air cab service has been a remedy for driving trips of 2-5 hours, not a replacement for other forms of air travel, said the company, which added that 2007 saw a shift with a significant number of new SATSair customers using the point-to-point air cab operation as a solution to their hub-and-spoke airline frustrations by decreasing door-to-door travel times.
“We’re extremely pleased with our 2007 and 1Q 2008 numbers and the growth they represent,” said Hanvey, CEO and president. “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.”