Quick thinking was needed to ensure a smooth transition from our client’s delayed scheduled flight to a private jet charter.
Overcoming delays on a Chinese family’s trip to Europe
Our team in Beijing were asked to help arrange the air travel for a Chinese family’s trip to Europe during peak season. Their itinerary included a connection in Switzerland, with the three passengers arriving on a scheduled flight and immediately boarding a private jet to France. But when their inbound service was delayed, we had to pull out all the stops to ensure a smooth transition between the two aircraft.
Our Solution
Route: Geneva > Paris
Aircraft: Cessna Citation XLS
We found a charter solution within an hour of receiving this request, sourcing a Cessna Citation XLS for the journey from Geneva to Paris. Our team initially arranged the departure for two hours after the passengers’ arrival, allowing extra time in case their scheduled flight was delayed – but when poor weather conditions led to it being pushed back by four hours, an even longer buffer was needed.
Keeping the private jet crew updated on the passengers’ status, we requested a later departure slot as soon as we knew the delayed flight was boarding. But with slots in high demand and the Citation XLS needed for a subsequent charter, we could only secure an extra 10 minutes of waiting time at the airport.
Working quickly, we offered the client three solutions – reposition a different aircraft, reschedule the charter for the next day, or arrange a private car to take them straight from the scheduled terminal to their private jet. When they opted for the car transfer, we liaised with airport staff to confirm the plans, pulling off a smooth connection despite the delays.
The Finer Details
Global Network: Our teams in Beijing and Europe worked together across time zones to facilitate close coordination with the client, private jet crew and airport authorities.
Flexible Solutions: Tailoring a number of options to meet the client’s needs, we quickly overcame the challenges encountered with delays and airport slots.