Georgia Jet Ends Part 135 Jet Listings Amid Charter Suspension

Georgia Jet has ceased listing any Part 135-certified jets following the phase-out of its last Hawker 400XP, marking a significant change after the company suspended charter operations in February 2024. The retired Hawker 400XP, registered as N442GJ with manufacturer serial number RK-442, is a 19.8-year-old jet designed for up to eight passengers. It had been parked at Lawrenceville since January 26, 2024, before flying to Stuart Witham on September 19, where it has remained active since December.

The decision to suspend charter operations was driven by a shortage of pilots, according to CEO Lea Williams in a statement to Private Jet Card Comparisons. Despite the suspension, Williams confirmed that a sister company operating a maintenance, repair, and overhaul facility would continue to function. At the time of the suspension, Georgia Jet had maintained a Part 135 certificate that covered five Hawker 400XP aircraft. However, following the phase-out, the company no longer lists any Part 135-certified jets.

Of the five Hawker 400XP units previously operated, one has been completely removed from the Part 135 certificate, while another was exported to Brazil in October 2024 where it now operates privately. The remaining three aircraft are currently in storage; one has been parked at Lawrenceville since April 2023 and the other two have been stored at Stuart Witham since September 2024. These storage arrangements reflect a broader restructuring within Georgia Jet, as the company adapts to current market conditions and operational challenges.

The suspension of charter operations and the phasing out of the Part 135 jets come amid an industry-wide trend of operators reevaluating their fleet compositions in response to pilot shortages and fluctuating market demand. Georgia Jet’s move has left the company without any active Part 135-certified jets, signaling a temporary halt in its charter service offerings. However, the ongoing operation of the sister MRO facility suggests that while charter flights are on hold, the company continues to maintain a presence in the aviation support sector.

This strategic shift comes at a time when many operators are experiencing similar challenges, with pilot availability being a critical concern across the industry. The operational difficulties have forced companies like Georgia Jet to reexamine their business models and focus on areas where they can maintain stability, such as maintenance and overhaul services. The decision to keep the Part 135 certificate intact, despite the phase-out of active jet operations, indicates that the company may be positioning itself for a future relaunch of charter services when conditions improve.

For now, Georgia Jet’s focus appears to be on managing its existing assets and navigating the pilot shortage while continuing to offer support through its MRO facility. The changes implemented by the company reflect a cautious approach to a challenging market environment, one where flexibility and the ability to adapt to rapidly changing operational conditions are more important than ever. As the aviation sector works through these challenges, industry observers will be watching to see if operators like Georgia Jet can leverage their existing capabilities to eventually resume full-scale charter operations.

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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com