Vienna-headquartered JetClass has launched 'Flightpooling', a flexible, safe and cost-effective flight-sharing programme designed to provide urgent travel assistance.

The not-for-profit initiative has been launched in response to the countless people struggling globally to travel, due to the total suspension or vast reductions in operations by the world's major airlines in the face of COVID-19. Flightpooling looks to be a middle ground between expensive charters and unavailable scheduled flights.

Individuals are requested to start subscribing or creating their list of required flights online and JetClass will take if from there, making the necessary arrangements once a critical mass has been reached. The costs borne by the company to run each flight will simply be passed on and divided equally among the passengers on board, with no margin added.

All reasonable safety precautions will be taken in order to provide assurances to passengers, including the wearing of protective gear at all times, properly sanitised aircraft, COVID-negative crew and a requirement to complete a checklist and undergo a temperature check before boarding.

“We have heard some truly heartbreaking stories from people all over the world, desperate to get home since the COVID-19 restrictions were justifiably enforced, and determined that we have the ability to help, utilising the existing JetClass technology, infrastructure and resources,” says Wagas Ali, CEO and co-founder of JetClass. “Knowing that we are in a unique position to provide a practical solution to the pain that exists in the market made the decision to create 'FlightPooling' very easy.”

“As a team of aviation experts that has been in the business for many years, we felt a sense of responsibility to do something and harness the resources we have at our disposal for the greater good of both the community and the airline industry,” adds Fahim Jalali, chief business officer at JetClass. “We look forward to giving people the real hope of being reunited with their loved ones at this difficult time.”

“As an expectant mother who was stranded away from my family, I know first-hand that feeling of helplessness and anxiety,” explains Hannah O'Reilly, a UAE resident who was recently reunited with her British husband in Dubai. “I was incredibly fortunate that I was offered a lifeline by the UAE Government who are doing all they can, but there are so many around the world who aren't so lucky. With FlightPooling, people everywhere have a chance to get home. It's so heartening to see businesses such as JetClass stepping up and doing what they can to help right now.”