Atlanta, Georgia-based fractional start-up Volato has officially launched an ad hoc charter service for the general public. Passengers who do not have ownership in a Volato aircraft can now book a flight and pay by the hour for a domestic trip aboard a four passenger HondaJet Elite S. A portion of the charter fees are then returned to fractional owners, a distinguishing feature of the programme.

“The launch of our charter service completes our innovative business model,” says chief revenue office and co-founder Nicholas Cooper. “We are launching another revenue stream for our owners where they can earn up to $1,250 on every live flight hour, irrespective of who is flying. It also provides the growing private travel community the ability to experience our exemplary service and our luxury aircraft for their four-or-less passenger missions. We are excited to continue to provide innovative solutions to the private aviation space.”

Volato launched its fractional ownership service in early September 2021 with just one HondaJet Elite S, and has since sold most of its current inventory, with limited fractional ownership shares available on upcoming first quarter 2022 deliveries of 15 new jets. This brings the fleet to 22 aircraft, and the additions will be located at Volato's home base in Peachtree DeKalb airport in Atlanta, as well as across the nation according to owners' needs.

“The private aviation industry has long needed an overhaul with a focus on efficiency for four-or-less passenger missions, and as we enter year three of the pandemic, it's clear the aviation industry has changed for good,” adds CEO Matt Liotta. “The ease of booking, convenience of check in, comfort and now cost are all attractive features of private flight.”