Punctuality, precision and prestige: how private air charters are done in the DACH region

Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, collectively referred to as the DACH region, are situated right at the heart of Europe and are known not only as industrial and economic powerhouses, but also as major transport and logistics hubs. Home to some of the busiest airports on the continent, the region is also a bustling hub for private air charters, an increasingly popular way of getting around among the local business community.

The size of the market is a challenge in and of itself

 The DACH countries have some of the biggest and busiest airports in Europe, with those in Frankfurt and Munich being the 4th and 9th, respectively, while those in Zurich, Vienna, and Berlin make the Top 30. Unsurprisingly, DACH is also a significant force in private and business aviation. It is estimated that up to 20% of Europe’s entire private jet fleet is located in those countries.

 The popularity of both private and charter flights is perfectly illustrated by the fact that Switzerland routinely records the highest number of them per capita in Europe. This can be attributed to both a high standard of living and also to the fact that DACH countries regularly feature on various lists of the best places to develop one’s business in.

 The fact that in DACH, private and business flights are quite common is both an opportunity and a challenge, says Edvinas Finenko, Business Development Manager at KlasJet and an expert on the DACH region.

 “Every day, thousands of flights of every kind commence in Frankfurt and Munich. Traditional carriers handling flights from such major transportation hubs have to exercise next-level attention to detail. And when it comes to organising air charter flights, there is the added complexity that comes with the requirements from VIP passengers,” Mr. Finenko says.

 The sheer volume of flights creates additional work for every member of KlasJet’s team. This is especially true of its extensive office staff, which is responsible for negotiating with the administrations of various airports and attempting to book the best timeslots for the company’s flights.

 “The scheduling of business flights is tightly linked to the busy agendas of corporate travellers. This means that sometimes a last-minute need arises to take off right after lunch on the same day. Booking timeslots, which is not a trivial task to begin with, becomes a masterclass in  negotiation and relationship management,” explains Mr. Finenko.

High standards and demanding customers

 The popularity of business flights in DACH countries means that the passengers are more accustomed to this way of traveling and can therefore be very specific about their expectations when it comes both to airlines and cabin crew, highlights Šarūnė Valaikaitė, Senior cabin crew member and instructor at KlasJet.

 “The main distinguishing feature of this market is arguably the need for exceptional precision and punctuality. DACH passengers will choose quality over quantity every time. Clients expect strict adherence to schedules and proper protocol, but if something is genuinely out of your control, even the most demanding clients are typically very polite and understanding,” Ms. Valaikaitė says.

 The higher standard of living also means that a fairly wide range of DACH residents can actually afford private flights. It’s not that uncommon to book a flight for one’s birthday trip to some exotic country. However, such leisure travel is not as frequent as business-related trips.

 “A more common type of travel is where companies fly their employees to conferences or other high-profile events. And business trips have come with specific requirements. For instance, the crew’s goal is to be as inconspicuous as possible and to leave the passengers as much private space as possible for their work and communication among themselves. Respect for one’s space and time is valued everywhere, but even more so in DACH countries,” says Ms. Valaikaitė.

 According to Edvinas Finenko, Business Development Manager at KlasJet and an expert on the DACH region, the clients in this region approach private aviation with a utilitarian mindset. Rather than viewing it as a status symbol, they treat private jets or charter flights as sophisticated business tools designed to help them solve entirely practical transportation challenges.

 “Western European clients rarely broadcast their private aviation usage. Their decision-making is centered around efficiency: the possibility of modifying itineraries on short notice, direct routing to regional airports that commercial airlines don’t serve, and the security they feel in knowing that weather delays or missed connections won’t derail critical business opportunities,” he says.