The Cryptonomist had the pleasure of interviewing Mauro de Rosa, CEO of Fast Private Jet, a private jet company which has decided to accept payments in Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum and Ripple.
In these times when many trips are impossible due to the Coronavirus, it is certainly interesting to understand how companies are reorganizing.
Can you briefly comment on the current situation in the private jet charter industry, how would you describe it?
Based on the data in our possession, requests in recent weeks have increased exponentially from all over the world but especially for Italian citizens who were in London, Paris, Madrid or even the United States or other countries. The main problem has been to process all requests and then the planning of flights with all the problems related to restrictions that are occurring on a daily basis across the different countries.
How do you view the changes in the aviation industry during these uncertain times?
There is certainly more awareness in the use of private planes not as a mere luxury service but as a tool capable of having a function of social utility in such a serious moment not only for Italy but for the whole world. One example among many was the repatriation of students from London who were no longer able to return to Italy by any means whatsoever. Five families have adhered and allowed students to return to their families at home.
How is the Fast Private Jet team working in these days of lockdown?
From day one, Fast Private Jet was born using all the technological systems developed internally by the team and through online platforms in order to always offer flexibility to our customers, guaranteeing a 24/7 service for any need or urgent necessity via smart working. Nothing has changed in our operational processes, we were ready for any eventuality.
How can Fast Private Jet guarantee the safety of passengers?
Excellence, punctuality and extreme dedication translate also into the guarantee of accurate and constant monitoring to offer optimal security prior, during and after the flight.
All flights managed by Fast Private Jet, operated by executive airlines holding an Air Operator Certificate, require a sanitization process of the aircraft ensuring that all crew members are in good health with body temperature control.
Chartering a private jet is the best solution for safe travel and can reduce the risk of exposure to the virus, by limiting interaction with other travellers on commercial flights or avoiding crowded airports and terminals.
Planes meet high safety standards in terms of maintenance and, in compliance with total transparency and professionalism of the services offered, before booking each flight, customers are given access to all the documentation relating to the operators and the history of the aircraft chosen for their flight. Experience, training and formation of pilots are guaranteed to protect the safety of each customer.
We have also made the payment service easier for our customers by providing a variety of options. Our customers can pay by bank transfer, credit card and Apple Pay. In line with our innovative approaches, we are the first private jet charter company in Italy to accept Bitcoin payments and other common cryptocurrency payments such as Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum and others through the BitPay service.
Why do people travel these days? Is it safe?
People fly back to their homes, young people coming back from school abroad, people on vacation, many people stuck abroad for work.
We are actively following the COVID-19/Coronavirus situation and we are closely monitoring updates from the World Health Organization, various healthcare entities, European and worldwide governments to help our customers reach their destinations.
The Fast Private Jet team has the expertise to support all those who need information and provide our clients with the best solutions, as well as to recommend the most suitable private jet for the type of flight required.
Where do you see the future of the private jet industry after this critical situation?
We are in the process of rediscovering the use of the private jet no longer seen as a luxury service but with a social purpose, that of reuniting people with their loved ones at home.
These days the mission of the Fast Private Jet team is to bring people back home. The service is undoubtedly expensive compared to a traditional airline ticket but this is because the costs of management, maintenance, crew, fuel, landing fees, costs of positioning the aircraft at the departure airport are not redistributed on 100 or 200 passengers but usually between four or six people.
For example, the cost of renting a private jet for 4 people from London to Venice is 9,000.00 euros, with margins reduced to a minimum to support all those who want to return to their homes.
