Several aviation experts yesterday proposed using private jets to operate an “air taxi” — a customized flight service targeting business travelers — but aviation officials said this might not be feasible given current regulations.
Lin Chin-e (林清一), a professor at National Cheng Kung University, promoted the concept of an air taxi service at a seminar hosted by the Aviation Education Foundation to discuss regulations governing personal aircraft.
Lin said it was expensive to own a private jet as it would cost about NT$1.5 million (US$45,600) to maintain. But with an air taxi, businesspeople could enjoy the convenience of a private jet service without having to pay for maintenance and other miscellaneous costs.
“Business groups could invest in an air taxi by purchasing the aircraft, while leaving the maintenance and management to an air taxi operator,” he said. “Different air taxi operators could jointly solicit customers by organizing an online ticketing system.”
An air taxi service also gives businesspeople the advantage of being able to choose the time of their departure and arriving at an airport near their destination, Lin said.
The cost for using these charter flights would help big companies save money in the long run, he said.
To avoid compromising comfort, Lin said the service was better suited to flights under three hours.
However, Billy Chang (張國政), chairman of the Aviation Education Foundation and a former director-general of the Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA), said the proposal could run counter to existing aviation regulations.
Chang said the local aviation sector is divided into three categories: airlines, general aviation and private aviation.
Airlines like EVA Air (長榮航空) or China Airlines (中華航空) operate passenger or cargo flights on a regular schedule for the general public, he said.
Daily Air (德安航空) or private jet owners offer flight services to a niche market or special class of customers. Daily Air owns licenses to provide helicopter and commercial charter jet services.
“At present, only airlines can solicit customers and sell tickets,” Chang said. “In that case, they are legally qualified to offer an air taxi service. Others can't.”
Lee Dong-yang (李東陽), a CAA official, said that the cross-strait aviation pact only allows airlines from Taiwan and China to offer cross-strait services.
“Both sides have not allowed aircraft with a capacity of below 19 passengers to target businesspeople. These aircraft can only be used for humanitarian or medical charter flight services,” he said.
A number of Taiwanese entrepreneurs are reported to own private jets, including Hon Hai Group chairman Terry Gou (郭台銘), Ruentex Financial Group chairman Samuel Yin (尹衍樑) and Evergreen Group chairman Chang Jung-fa (張榮發).
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