Writer: AYODELE AROWOSEGBE
In recent years, there has been a growing trend of Africans becoming increasingly business savvy. The continent has seen a surge in entrepreneurs and small business owners, with a growing number of young people pursuing their own business ventures in reaction to the high unemployment rate.
As these individuals become more involved in the business world, they are finding that they need to travel frequently to meet with partners and investors, attend conferences, and explore new opportunities.
This is driving demand for business aviation services in Africa, as individuals seek faster and more convenient travel options.
One country that is experiencing a surge in business aviation demand is Nigeria. The country’s economy has been growing rapidly in recent years, with a booming tech sector driving much of this growth.
Lagos, Nigeria’s largest city, has become a hub for tech start-ups and innovation.
A number of successful start-ups have emerged in recent years, including Paystack, a payment processing platform that was acquired by Stripe in 2020, and Andela, a talent marketplace for developers that has received funding from the likes of Mark Zuckerberg and Google Ventures.
As these tech companies continue to grow and expand, their executives are finding that they need to travel frequently to meet with investors and partners, attend conferences, and explore new markets.
Traditional air travel can be time-consuming and inconvenient, with long security lines, flight delays, and layovers.
Business aviation, on the other hand, offers faster and more convenient travel options, allowing executives to maximize their productivity and make the most of their time.
The demand for business aviation services in Nigeria has been growing steadily in recent years, with a number of companies starting to offer private jet charter services in the country.
These companies are catering to the needs of business travellers, offering flexible and personalized travel options that can be customized to meet the specific needs of their clients. From small turboprops and light jets to large corporate jets, there is a wide range of aircraft available to meet the needs of business travellers in Nigeria.
The world of private jet travel has always been reserved for those who have deep pockets. This mode of transportation is considered a luxury, and only a select few can afford it.
However, Falcon Aerospace Limited, the aviation company based in Lagos, Nigeria, has made it their mission to change the way people think about private jet travel by launching their new tech products, CharterXE and FlyPJX. These products promise to revolutionize the way private jet booking is conducted in Africa.
CharterXE is Falcon’s new all-in-one solution platform for charter flights. This platform is designed to give customers access to a wide range of different jets to match their needs and budgets.
With CharterXE, customers can choose from a range of aircraft, including helicopters, turboprops, and business jets, depending on the occasion, budget, and destination. The platform allows users to customize their experience, from the catering to the in-flight entertainment. CharterXE also offers a transparent pricing system, which means there are no hidden fees or charges, making the booking process more transparent.
FlyPJX is another Falcon tech product designed to revolutionize private jet booking in Africa. FlyPJX is a private jet membership program providing access to a fleet of advanced business jets. The program allows travellers to purchase flight hours of the XS-1 aircraft, an advanced business jet that can cover long distances while providing a comfortable travel experience. The membership plan comes with a fixed rate per hour of flight, so customers can save money on their overall travel costs. The FlyPJX program also offers a concierge service that can take care of all the details for the traveller, from booking their hotel to arranging ground transportation.
These two products are expected to change the private jet booking experience in Africa in a variety of ways. First, Falcon’s CharterXE platform simplifies the booking process for customers.
The platform lets them choose an aircraft tailored to their journey type and saves them time and money. Customers can access the CharterXE platform through the Falcon app, which allows them to book their flights and manage their itineraries remotely.
This process will help eliminate traditional barriers to private jet travel such as high costs and long transaction times, making it more accessible to more people.
Third-party charter brokers are sometimes known for adding commissions and inflated fees to their prices, but CharterXE streamlines the booking process, ensuring that customers receive fair pricing.
Secondly, Falcon’s FlyPJX program offers customers the option of booking a private jet at a fixed rate per hour of flight. With most private jet bookings, the flight pricing can fluctuate based on the time of year and availability. However, the FlyPJX program provides a more predictable cost for travellers, making it more budget-friendly and approachable for more people.
Third, Falcon’s new products aim to make private jet travel a more personalized and comfortable experience for customers.
With CharterXE, customers can tailor their flight experience to their desired standard, from food and drink options to the entertainment onboard. Meanwhile, FlyPJX seeks to provide members with an experience that includes personalized concierge service, making their journeys more seamless and enjoyable.
These new products are already receiving positive feedback from African travellers, who appreciate the convenience and transparency of the booking process.
According to Chukwuerika Achum, the CEO of Falcon,
“People in Africa are looking for an experience that aligns with their lifestyle. The transparency and customization of our services will provide them with a more personalized and convenient travel experience. We want to make private jet travel accessible and appealing to everyone, not just the ultra-wealthy.”
In summary, Falcon’s new tech products, CharterXE and FlyPJX, are set to revolutionize private jet booking in Africa. These products will simplify the booking process, provide predictable pricing and personalized passenger experiences, and make private jet travel more convenient and accessible. Falcon is raising the bar in the African aviation sector by providing these products, which are expected to attract more customers and change the way people think and travel in Africa. Finally, with CharterXE and FlyPJX, Falcon is making a concerted effort to make business aviation travel accessible to everyone, not just the ultra-wealthy, and revolutionizing the private jet market in Africa.
Ayodele is a Brand Development Consultant and Author. He is the Lead consultant of Brandware Nigeria. He writes from Lagos.