'Dodo' business model with winglets and espresso
Bottom line here is, it was never going to happen....
It took NJE about ten years to make a profit (i think?) even though they had a monopoly, after they saw off the Flexjet Frax programme.
So how on EARTH could JR hope to survive head to head against Netjets, with their broader superior fleet? It was conceived, gestated and almost born a Dodo....
It was never going to work, all of us who have been around this industry in a commercial role for more than 5 years knew it...
Would the investors pour money in to it for ten years or more? Clearly they saw the light of day with aircraft about to arrive imminently and a virtually empty order book and did the right thing before incresing the risk for all employees and suppliers.
The amazing thing is, that in their heart of hearts, im sure the JR mangement knew it was a Dodo from day one.... (is that why David Marcos jumped ship early?) but they must have had fun with all that marketing start up cash while it lasted. Management salaries were no doubt commensurate with the role..........and im sure the expense accounts were well enjoyed by all.... cant see those guys in an Ibis hotel.....
back to reality now...... for our industry.....thank goodness