A new way to Scout out web booking

An innovative new charter sales platform, Jet Scout, has been introduced to the African and Middle East market. Vincent Chappard finds out why it is receiving a positive reaction.

Stefano Costi, managing director of the Swiss-based Jet Scout, sees positive signals emerging from the business aviation industry following the launch of his new platform at the Middle East Business Aviation Association (MEBAA) show in Dubai.
In a very “fragmented market”, the Jet Scout platform provides the business aviation community with improvements in price, timeliness, quality, comfort, security, flexibility and efficiency.
The operational system is the most important aspect of the new charter sales platform, according to its MD.
“We strongly believe that the new system will provide an innovative market approach, not only for the business jet traveller but also for charter operators and charter brokers,” said Costi, who has flown 7,700 hours on business aviation jets.
The user-friendly interface has been thoroughly tested and developed “to serve even the most complex booking scenarios”.
A team of experts studied what Costi described as “the inefficiencies of current marketplaces, apps and websites” before coming up with the system, which, he said, would streamline the industry.
“We know the expectations of the industry and how ‘uberisation’ has revolutionised end users’ bookings. We can serve all the needs of the modern private jet users.”
Jet Scout’s algorithm combines more than 200 parameters to find the optimum offer for the traveller’s journey, while respecting all safety and security regulations. It offers a streamlined search engine running on one unique platform for B2B and B2C use.
After registering and giving fleet details, operators can use their own integrated sales platform and have direct access to new clients. The ‘white label platform’ opens new perspectives as a sales tool. “We are opening the door and everybody is welcome,” said Costi.
“Operators will enjoy some specific features, such as ad-hoc calculated route distances, custom operational costs, negotiated handling fees for specific airports, rule-based fees and many other customised options,” he said.
The new system offers freedom of choice to the client and is designed to boost charter sales with its rapid confidential search and personalised options. “You have no influence on your clients. They have the total freedom,” said Costi.
The platform also simplifies jet chartering with “a fast and easy booking process”. The public platform is free to end-users and is opened to private jet flyers across the world. Personal assistance is available at every stage.
Costi, who has been in business aviation software design since 1989, said full-time support and video tutorials were available at every step. There’s also a constant update of information and data.
“We are spreading our wings worldwide. We are showcasing our sales platform and meeting software providers,” he said.
Africa is “a very promising market” for the software company. “It is a vibrant continent with more and more people going into and outside. I’m so confident. If we split it into three zones (south, equatorial and north), we can then connect the whole market.”
Many more additional features, currently being beta-tested, will soon be available.