Bell_ringer
The definition is not in doubt - and a proposed schedule has to receive prior approval/nod from CAA etc etc.
Application of Tech is a game changer.
Much in the same way as here in UK where, thanks to Uber, we can ‘pre-book’ a ‘taxi’ at a moments notice - in effect it becoming an ‘instantaneous’ service, much like our Black Taxis. You might not know that our Black Taxi drivers required separate licensing and a specific level of knowledge prior to qualifying to convey as a ‘Hackney carriage’.
Tech now facilitates mass dynamic conjuring of departure times from a fixed-point to another fixed-point - a set service from one collection point to another, let’s say a downtown helipad to an airport.
Now, imagine that the frequency and preferred departure timings all fall into a pattern which looks remarkably the same every day, or every other day.
As it would do as customers connect with onward regular, scheduled, flights.
So, in effect, we produce a flight program that is a ‘scheduled service’ in all but name, but operated to different training, maintenance, oversight standards/levels.
Indeed, you can be sure that the backers will have seen it as providing a set number of flights/day to determine EBITDA. Agreed that financial accounting does not make it ‘scheduled’ but the preferred peaks of demand will demonstrate that departure timings will be very, very, very similar..........and expected/planned for by the operator, owner, broker......