Following the signing of an aircraft management services agreement in September, the first flyExclusive flights are now available on Volato Group’s private aviation booking app, Vaunt. This is the start of a larger effort to expand the flight options available to Vaunt members, with more additions and features planned in the coming months.

flyExclusive, a Part 135 operator headquartered in Kinston, North Carolina, brings a range of light, midsize and super-midsize jets to the platform, significantly expanding the choices available to users. This first step lays the groundwork for future growth, as Volato works to steadily increase flight availability and deliver a more robust platform for private travellers.

“We are thrilled to have reached this important milestone for Vaunt,” says president Nicholas Cooper. “The introduction of flyExclusive flights opens the door to even more opportunities for our members, and this is only the beginning. We are excited for our Vaunt members to experience flyExclusive’s fleet and service offering, and we look forward to continuing to expand Vaunt and enhancing the value it offers to our customers.”

Under the terms of the agreement, flyExclusive will manage flight operations, sales and expenses of Volato’s fleet of 13 fully fractionalised aircraft, 8 leased aircraft and 4 managed aircraft. The goal is to transfer aircraft to the flyExclusive certificate, which will occur over the coming months in coordination with the FAA. flyExclusive will also execute the flights for the Volato customer base of approximately 184 fractional customers and 265 block customers on the Volato certificate, until they are moved over to FLYX agreements.

This transition will allow Volato to reduce its cost base by transferring the operational responsibilities. It will continue to take delivery of new HondaJets and Gulfstream G280s, and these aircraft will become part of flyExclusive’s managed fleet. Volato will benefit from the margins on aircraft sales without the burden of operational costs, while also generating revenue from its proprietary software.

Volato and flyExclusive remain in discussions about a potential merger.