NetJets has launched its long-range

programme, meaning it will be basing

long-range aircraft in Europe and will

simultaneously drop all ferrying

charges for fractional owners of those

aircraft that fly to destinations in the

US (including Hawaii), Canada,

Mexico and the Caribbean.

Initially, the company will offer

Gulfstream IV-SPs and Gulfstream Vs

and intends to add the Dassault

Falcon 2000EX in the latter part of

the year. NetJets says this move

represents a commitment to capture

the high-end transatlantic market

once occupied by Concorde and

is in response to the increased

demand in the current high-security

travel environment.

It claims this decision will offer

guaranteed service to fractional

owners and that scrapping of ferrying

charges means that fractional

purchasers will not have to pay extra

to have their aeroplanes positioned at

the airports they’re departing from,

nor will there be additional charges

based on length of stay.

NetJets Europe ceo Mark Booth

noted that the company had already

pre-sold one Gulfstream aircraft in

Europe and that he expected demand

for its long-range aircraft to grow

sharply in the months ahead.

Meanwhile, some of the biggest

names in professional football

recently flew on NetJets aircraft to

Basel, Switzerland for a UNDP charity

fund-raiser.

David Beckham, Luis Figo,

Michael Owen, Sol Campbell, Thierry

Henry, Ryan Giggs, Ronaldinho,

Gianluigi Buffon, Raul, Ruud van

Nistelrooy and Robert Pires were

among the many top international

stars and coaches who participated in

the event which raised money for

UNDP anti-poverty events around

the world. Ronaldo and Zinedine

Zidane captained the teams.

NetJets’ contribution to the event

was providing special transportation

to Basel for the players and coaches

onboard its private aircraft. The

match raised urgently needed funds

for the charity’s projects.

“These men are stars both on and

off the pitch: monumentally talented

footballers, as well as real

contributors in the fight against

world poverty,” said Booth. “I’m very

pleased that NetJets has had an

opportunity to contribute to this

worthy cause.”

NetJets vice president Francisco

Carvalheira stated: “Ronaldo and

Zidane deserve special recognition

for organising this charity event.”