Are the fractionals recession proof?

[gunfyter]

We already know what happens during a recession. Been through it Airlines furlough and the fracs do not. Then airline pilots come to the fracs and do not return to the airlines.

 

[Sparse]

We already know what happens during a recession. Been through it Airlines furlough and the fracs do not. Then airline pilots come to the fracs and do not return to the airlines.

The fractional industry took off as a result of 9/11 and the hassle factor of airline flying. The airlines may have hit a recessionary environment after 9/11 but the US economy did not. The fracs have not really been through a recession. My prediction is it will weed a few out but for the most part will be ok. I agree, the business may see new customers as some individuals and companyies sell of their fleets. The revenue side could be minimally effected but the expense side is iffy (airline tickets, fuel cost for deadheads, etc). When gas is high everything goes up.

 

[doh]

We already know what happens during a recession. Been through it Airlines furlough and the fracs do not. Then airline pilots come to the fracs and do not return to the airlines.

That has been my experience.:beer: Let's hope it holds true.

 

[climbhappy]

i'd say given the wealth accumulated by the baby boomers, that demand will far outpace cyclical changes in the economy.

 

[Gator1999]

Proof that we are in a recession...Tiger Woods trades down to a G200 from his G4...God, that's almost as bad as riding in the back of a CRJ. Tough life...

 

[Galaxy]

Proof that we are in a recession...Tiger Woods trades down to a G200 from his G4...God, that's almost as bad as riding in the back of a CRJ. Tough life...

Wow times are getting tough. What next for ole Tiger??? Will he start pushing KIA's or the Smart car when Buicks don't make the sales quota.

 

[flyzimex]

XOJet?

I know a lot of you guys don't consider XOJet a frac, but since this could be an issue for any section of aviation, I think I got a valid question here.

Since XO is heavily backed by big financial institutions, Lehman being one of them, are they at greater risk than others or is the promised funding (unless XO already got it in full) at risk. Could this jeopardize their expansion plans?

Yes, I do know that Lehman today beat the WS expectations, but we have all very recently seen how quickly things can turn much for the worse (Bear).

FZ

 

[RCA]

Tigers like a F.A.R.

Part $80,000,000/1 year

A. No one is recession proof, except Tiger Woods.

 

[7777]

Your question is a good one. It is the kind of stuff I have been thinking of as well and ultimately the reason I started this thread for others opinions.

I don't think the 9-11 type situation hurts fractionals as much as it would a 121 carrier. I think that was proven pretty much during that time. Other than SWA which wisely hedged it's fuel prices, all the other airlines took it in the shorts (NWA, DAL, United, AA) some way or another.

As was mentioned, the people with the money have ways around stuff like this (alot of money, wise investments, overseas investments, ect.) that allow them to continue using the fractionals as needed. Fractionals still stay more viable as a form of pilot employment than the majors.

If said fractional has big time backing (BerkshireHathaway, Citation/Textron, ect.) they have the means to stay afloat and 'weather out the storm'.

I am not saying I am correct on this but I am thinking this may be the case. Who really knows? I certainly don't and that is why the thread was started.

I have a GREAT military flying job. The military pilot weathered the aftermath of 9-11 very well. Yeah we have been busier than a 1 legged man in an ass kicking contest since then, with the numerous deployments and all, but we have job security.

I have been looking at NetJets, Citation Shares and others and think they should do o.k.. If for nothing more than their customers can and have kept them busy during this post 9-11 time frame.

NetJets has shown the most growth. Citation Shares has shown good, stable growth as well. With their goal of not wanting to be the biggest, that will work in their pilots favor as well, IF the time comes to downsize and cut some of the 'fat.' Planning for lean growth during these times is a wise idea in my mind.

Again, I am just a military pilot that has watched the aviation industry from the military side for over 20+ years and am forming these ideas based on that. I could be totally wrong but that is how I am seeing it right now.

I would like for nothing more than the economy to boom and aviation to continue growing and getting stronger. I don't honestly think this recession is going to be as bad on our industry as it could be. I believe the American economy has turned for the betterment of aviaiton following recessions of past.

Again, just my .02 cents. An observation from a hard working American.

 

[Publishers]

It would be very naive to think that a terrible economy is not going to have a negative impact. Let's look at a couple of different areas. First, the jet cards. I think the Marquis card kind of customer may well be the first impact that will effect the fractionals. Secondly, even the wealthy tend to get concerned and push off buying decisions when there is uncertainty in the air. Demand having been so strong has meant that sellers have been able to move their problem aircraft to that demand especially overseas and so pressure has not really hit many as hard as it could if they were stuck with it. Netjets Europe is expanding well so it might help the year rather than hurt as in the past.
Even so, these companies need to sell new aircraft positions and dispose of old ones and if anything impedes that, things could get ugly quick.