Offering 'Air Taxi' Service In DC Metropolitan Area

Stealing a march on the many companies lining up to provide so-called "air taxi" service using the upcoming crop of very light jets, start-up charter company Open Air, based out of Montgomery County Airpark (GAI) in Gaithersburg, MD, told ANN Wednesday it's now doing so... just not with jets.

Open Air earned certification from the FAA under FAR Part 135 on January 24. It's the first carrier this year granted a certificate pursuant to the revised mandatory safety standards and operations specifications in accordance with FAA Notice N8000.347 (effective 12/28/06).

The company says it will provide on-demand "air taxi" services for the Washington, DC metropolitan area. With its principal base of operations at GAI, less than 20 miles from the nation's capital, it's the most convenient airport for travel to or from DC according to Open Air.

Instead of VLJs however, it will operate a fleet of brand new Cirrus SR22 aircraft. The company says it chose the SR22 because it's one of the world's best selling, technologically advanced, and safest aircraft flying. And to coddle its passengers, Open Air has equipped the planes with leather seating and XM Satellite radios which passengers may listen to using Bose noise canceling headsets.

The new Part 135 carrier says it will offer "luxury, non-stop, and 'door to door' concierge service throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions" flying to airports and destinations not served by scheduled airlines.

Open Air says it's offering a twist on traditional charter service costs too -- all prices will be one-way with no charge to fly the empty plane back to the originating airport. According to information on the company's website, customers may purchase block time in increments up to 50 hours. Cost per flight hour for the 50 hour package is $420 and increases with lower block times.

Non-block pricing -- Open Air calls it "air limo service" -- is $595 per hour.

The carrier obtained FAA certification with the professional oversight of its general counsel, Gregory S. Winton, a former FAA and US Department of Justice attorney, 26-year pilot, and certified flight instructor. The company says Winton personally examined its management structure, policies, procedures, and aircraft.

According to Winton, "Open Air is a professional organization, run by qualified aviation professionals in the most technologically advanced aircraft available to the traveling public."

FMI: www.flyopenair.com