Are you a charter broker contending with an outdated legacy system or new automated software you’re not yet familiar with? Market feedback shows a growing number of charter brokers are actively considering transitioning from Excel spreadsheets, phone calls and ‘wannabe’ booking platforms to specialized software.
An automated system offers charter brokers and aircraft operators a compelling advantage. It saves time, provides real-time aircraft availability and convenience.
Add the increased productivity and accuracy of automating charter pricing calculations and converting requests into confirmed bookings, and this newfound efficiency allows greater focus on exceptional customer service while benefiting charter brokers as well as their customers with discounts on empty legs and seamless online communication.
So far, so good, right? Why, then, are so many brokers unwilling to adopt new software? VOO, a next-generation B2B marketplace for charter brokers and aircraft operators enabling business jet bookings has identified a common pain point.
“Operators are wary of B2B solutions that struggle to compete in a monopolistic market,” notes Robert Plhak, CEO of VOO (pictured below left). “The current influx of single-solution B2C platforms has failed to address the fundamental needs of most customers.”
More About the Advantages to Business Jet Charter Brokers
Following a period of high summer activity in the business aircraft charter market, brokers once again have time to consider the possible move to automated software.
Driven by both ‘pull’ and ‘push’ factors, these customers are reevaluating their software choices and actively seeking a reliable and effective solution that would cover their needs.
With market behavior data in hand, VOO understands that brokers desire more accurate and relevant flight options, which VOO’s advanced search capabilities deliver. Operators, on the other hand, value control over their offerings and pricing. Again, VOO ensures they have full autonomy over their settings and pricing strategies, allowing these to accurately reflect their sales decisions.
Industry experts recognize the significant time-saving advantages of using automatically calculated comprehensive pricing. This automated process, which would typically require the expertise of an experienced charter sales manager, incorporates multiple variables to ensure accurate pricing.
Operators also appreciate the opportunity to increase their margins by leveraging empty leg sales, and the VOO platform seamlessly integrates logistics and offers discounts on pre-paid positioning flights, aligning with the operator’s defined settings.
By leveraging VOO’s automated pricing capabilities, operators can confidently offer competitive and profitable charter rates without compromising their unique business model. This integrated approach enables them to optimize aircraft utilization and margins while maintaining their individual business concept.
Eliminating the stress of manual data cross-checking and aircraft availability, VOO offers several interaction options, streamlining communication and collaboration between brokers and operators.
Indeed, brokers can directly notify operators of their interest, request clarifications to cross-check ad hoc flights, slots, permits, initiate booking requests, and – if desired – instantly secure a charter booking for their end-client.
Meanwhile, real-time notifications keep the parties informed, while direct interactions enable quick clarifications on flight details or pricing. Booking requests offer operators flexibility to review, confirm, modify, or decline proposals. Alternatively, operators can change parameters and make a new booking offer.
This translates to real-time aircraft selection, expedited deal-making, and the elimination of manual paperwork. By automating these processes, VOO frees up operators to focus on providing exceptional customer service.
Significant Financial Opportunity for Charter Brokers and Operators
The increasing demand for software solutions is evident in the growing interest in empty leg optimization and sustainable aviation practices in Business Aviation charter.
These goals are difficult to achieve through manual calculations, and industry experts agree that a comprehensive software solution tailored to the unique demands of Business Aviation is essential to achieving such ambitions.
“We want to be part of the solution,” says Plhak. “While I can’t be ahead of the game personally, and I can try to be through our software platform.
“There’s a saying that you can lead from the front or lead from the rear. I believe a company like ours can lead from behind in its messaging – in creating a level of stability in the industry so that consumers can have a level of confidence.”
Misperception is Hurting the Charter Industry’s Progress
Yet despite similar push-points, Business Aviation charter is falling behind its commercial airline counterparts in adopting digital tools. The reluctance to embrace new technologies is evident among industry professionals who are accustomed to traditional methods. Those industry professionals who have been working with legacy systems for a long time seem to be in no hurry to switch, despite the major financial benefits.
An ill-informed belief that VOO might become a direct-to-consumer service, rather than a dedicated B2B platform, has contributed to a lack of awareness and mistrust among some industry professionals, hindering their adoption, despite the clear benefits offered.
“We continue to educate operators on how VOO works differently than traditional marketplaces,” Plhak highlights.
“We’re not a ‘second Avinode’; with VOO it’s not about requesting and quoting any longer, it’s about comparing and booking – we’re a revolutionary booking platform.
“VOO is committed to providing an efficient solution for charter brokers, aircraft operators and sales agents who exclusively utilize other operators’ aircraft without the complexities of direct-to-consumer interactions. VOO’s strategic approach includes seamless integration with brokers and operators, ensuring that aircraft sourcing data is efficiently shared throughout the ecosystem.”
The dedicated team of experts at VOO handles the operator’s setup to save them time and offers smooth, hassle-free onboarding with full technical support at any stage. The goal is to minimize the operator’s time investment and maximize the value they obtain from the VOO platform.
“Many are looking at VOO as an alternative system with the intention of a full changeover to the new software,” Plhak highlights. “Through proactive communication and education, we aim to help operators understand how VOO can improve their operations and fully support their transition.
“We have to be bolder to contribute to positive change throughout the industry.”
VOO’s digital platform is fully functional and ready to deliver immediate value. Moreover, it is constantly being developed to meet the increasing needs of brokers and operators.
Outdated systems are not future-proof, so it’s the responsibility of the industry to be proactive and implement the necessary modernization. Understanding this and actively adopting and using systems like VOO will foster innovation and a sense of collective progress in the industry, helping professionals achieve their business goals.
Adopted and published text – AvBuyer Magazine.
Ivanna is a professional journalist and communications specialist; she channels her creative energy and passion for words to shape outstanding cross-media stories for VOO and the industry’s vibrant media. Ivanna holds a master’s degree in journalism and a professional development certificate in science communication.
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