Stratos Jets has unveiled what it claims is the private air charter industry’s first franchising programme that could revolutionise the $15 billion industry by bringing the gold star standard in procedures, safety, technology and customer experience to the masses.

Qualified agents, brokers and brokerages now have the opportunity to join an established organisation with the full resources and support of a large, national air charter brokerage. This opportunity eliminates barriers to entry for experienced agents, brokers and entrepreneurs who want to own their own jet charter business in private aviation. Franchising with Stratos Jets reduces start-up and operations costs and provides access to capital and backend support, allowing them to focus on their clients and scaling their franchise.

Stratos says franchisees are afforded a number of benefits designed to strengthen their business and the trade, such as comprehensive industry training, operational insights and information sharing among the greater franchise network. Knowledge sharing fosters collaboration, enhances problem-solving capabilities and accelerates the learning and growth of franchisees.

Stratos Jets' shared services model provides franchisees with all backend coordination and accounting services. This allows them to scale their business without the need to hire, train and manage staff.

To standardise processes that result in a consistent customer experience, franchisees are provided access to Stratos Jets’ proprietary Flight Management System (Stratos FMS). This native Salesforce technology platform provides an end-to-end suite of services, for example aircraft sourcing, quoting and trip management. It also provides franchise clients with access to all of their current flight and past travel data through a secure client portal.

Franchisees adopt Stratos standards for safety and professionalism, namely, adherence to its rigorous vetting of aircraft operators and verified safety protocols including those outlined by the ARGUS Certified Charter Broker programme.

“The franchising programme Stratos Jets offers provides the organisational structure and operational excellence for agents, brokers and brokerages of all sizes,” says president Joel Thomas. “Through our franchising model, we’re spearheading a critical consolidation that will result in a better customer and air carrier experience through streamlined coordination processes, greater information sharing and a higher safety standard.”