Press Release

Issued by FXAir.

April 20, 2010

The few aircraft spotted in near-empty UK skies over recent days have been propeller airplanes, whose piston-operated engines have allowed them to fly while jet engines are grounded. These old-fashioned aircraft have fallen out of favour in recent years due to their lower flying speed and range, smaller size and noisier engines – while private jet aircraft have become the first choice of the discerning private aviation passenger. But, in one of the ironic twists of the travel chaos, these Davids of the sky have defeated the jet engine Goliaths - and are getting numerous travellers home.

Online private charter aviation network PrivateFly.com has been inundated with urgent requests from customers during the crisis and have been working with piston operators across Europe to get passengers moving. Those stranded have been able to use ground transportation to make their way to smaller French airfields such as Le Touquet, from where traditional piston aircraft have flown them across the channel to local UK airports. CEO of PrivateFly and former RAF pilot Adam Twidell comments "In the midst of so much travel chaos, there's great nostalgia in seeing these traditional aircraft owning the skies once more".