While some large airlines are furloughing employees, canceling in-flight services, and consolidating flights, a Dallas-based hop-on jet service has found itself positioned to step up. JSX, a subsidiary of Dallas-based private jet charter company JetSuite, is using its fleet of small charter jets to perform special missions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The charter jet company recently helped bring 106 Americans home from travels, many of whom were 65 or older. For the mission, JSX CEO Alex Wilcox assembled a crew of pilots and charter jets to meet passengers on DFW Airport’s runway and ferry them to 22 cities across the United States in under 48 hours. “I know of no other non-military group or organization that could assemble a complex airlift that quickly,” Wilcox said.
JSX and JetSuite fly smaller planes than commercial carriers with competitive rates—JSX charges $6,500 each way for a charter while competitors charge upwards of $50,000 per hour for a plane of similar proportions. Wilcox hopes to undertake similar projects in the future. “We are available for any kind of special mission—whether it is medical equipment, medical personnel, or politicians that need to get around—JSX and JetSuite have charters for all kinds of personnel,” he says.
The impact of the pandemic on JSX’s business has been costly thus far. Still, the CEO remains optimistic that his business model and the special trips that it enables will help keep him and his employees airborne.
“We are still servicing all of our markets, but we cut down to one plane a day,” says Wilcox. “Having said that, we believe that more people are going to be interested in flying JSX than major air carriers.”
JSX planes accommodate a maximum of 30 people—20 during mandated social distancing.
Wilcox believes JSX flights will become even more attractive to consumers should a recession follow the COVID-19 pandemic.“When people start to go out again and see if it’s safe to travel, [summer travel trends] will shift toward micro-travel,” says Wilcox. “Regional getaways, such as the communities we serve, will be more appealing.” Wilcox has reason to be bullish. JSX has doubled business every year since its inception in 2016.
For now, Wilcox’s two companies will continue flying and resume expansion into new markets as soon as possible, aiming to add routes through the Lone Star State soon.
