When it comes to aircraft you might think that newer is always better, but actually it’s not as simple as that.
Aircraft used for commercial purposes are expensive to manufacture however they are built to last, Aircraft age is something we’re often asked about.
Aircraft age
For the majority of commercial airlines, it is a regular occurrence for an aircraft to remain in regular service for over 20 years. A good example of this is the British Airways 747 fleet. In January 2018 the average age is over 20 years old. Although the data shows that Admiral Jet customers in the last 3 months have been chartering private jets with an average age of 4 years old.
Irrelevant of age, safety is our priority. Aircraft chartered from Admiral Jet come with FULL aircraft operators’ certificate, type rated crew and full public liability insurance. We can even get you named on the insurance specifically if you request it.
AOC Certificate
The requirements for an AOC (Aircraft Operators’ Certificate) do vary by country. As a general rule it includes a detailed audit of safety policy, management and organisational procedures, crew training, aircraft maintenance, flight and fuel planning. On average it can take an airline or operator over 24 months to be issued with an AOC. It is a long and detailed process and no stone is left unturned.
Its not just the age of the aircraft that’s important, date of refurbishment is also an important point to consider when choosing an aircraft.
Similar to a car the value of a brand-new aircraft can deprecate fast, so lots of aircraft owners seek to get value for money. An aircraft that’s 3 – 5 years old can be worth less than 50% of the original purchase price. With that kind of saving potential purchasers use the money save to re furbish the aircraft to the exact specification they require and every fine detail can be made bespoke to them. A fully refurbished aircraft has a total brand-new feel to it. Re upholstered seats, new carpets, paneling and even added extras such as USB charging ports Bluetooth connectivity and even an integrated Wi-Fi hub.
Admiral Jet customers may prefer to choose an older aircraft that has a brand-new interior, rather than a 3 or 4-year-old one, that has not yet been refurbished. We feel that its more important to choose the right category of aircraft for the trip in hand so that you can arrive in your required destination on time, in comfort and ready for what the day has in store.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact the team and they’ll be more than happy to help