Silver Air Expands Fleet with Charter Focus
Silver Air, a U.S.-based private aviation company headquartered in Santa Barbara, CA, is set to expand its fleet with a strong emphasis on charter management growth. Focused on offering premium, customer-driven service, Silver Air’s strategy involves maintaining a manageable fleet size to ensure high service quality. CEO Jason Middleton shared at the NBAA-BACE in Las Vegas that the ideal fleet size is projected at around 50 aircraft, allowing the company to scale without compromising its relationship-driven approach.
Currently operating 35 aircraft, Silver Air’s Part 135 fleet consists of 22 jets, ranging from light models like the Hawker 400XP to larger jets such as Gulfstreams (GV and G550) and Globals (Global 5000 and Global Express). Silver Air’s charter model emphasizes availability, ensuring that most of its aircraft can operate under Part 135 charter certification, while only a select few are in Part 91 management. Middleton highlighted that Silver Air seeks to partner with owners interested in chartering, aligning with the company’s core focus on high charter availability.
Silver Air’s personalized approach sets it apart in the charter management market, offering services tailored to individual owners’ needs and charter demand. “Every owner and aircraft are different,” Middleton noted, emphasizing the company’s flexibility in meeting owners’ specific flight goals. Silver Air considers factors like aircraft age, maintenance quality, and onboard Wi-Fi to ensure compatibility with its high standards. The company typically opts for aircraft built post-2000, seeking well-maintained jets with modern features to enhance client experience and reduce maintenance downtime.
Aircraft location also plays a crucial role in Silver Air’s charter operations. The company strategically bases aircraft at locations with high charter demand, like Van Nuys, CA, Teterboro, NJ, Miami Opa-Locka, FL, and Dallas Love Field, TX. For example, an aircraft owned by a client in Bakersfield, CA, is based in nearby Van Nuys to optimize charter availability. Similarly, a jet for an owner in Spokane is based at Seattle Boeing Field, maximizing charter utilization in high-demand areas.
Silver Air’s unique charter management model has allowed it to bypass the recent decline in charter demand affecting the industry. Unlike price-driven companies, Silver Air operates on a relationship-driven model that prioritizes customer loyalty and retention. This approach has protected Silver Air from the volatility in the charter market, with most clients reaching out directly rather than booking through brokers. The company’s retail sales team is integral to maintaining direct relationships with clients, further supporting Silver Air’s mission of building lasting customer connections.
Although Silver Air does not own a Part 145 maintenance facility, it actively manages maintenance operations by sourcing parts from third-party providers to avoid the markup that can come with in-house maintenance. Supply chain challenges have pushed Silver Air to be more proactive in sourcing parts, allowing it to expedite maintenance and minimize downtime for clients. Middleton noted that supply chain issues remain a challenge, particularly for legacy aircraft, which face longer lead times and limited support from manufacturers.
Looking ahead, Silver Air plans to further expand its charter operations and continue growing its fleet to meet the increasing demand for private charter services. By staying true to its relationship-focused model and providing a high level of personalized service, Silver Air is well-positioned to thrive in the competitive charter management industry.
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com