Blink
Join Date: Nov 1999
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Great people, and nice business plan when they launched in the good ol' days.
Not sure if it still stacks up in today's market if you just hope everyone downgrades from Netjets to Blink to save money though.
And from what their flight plans reveal, can you really make money if your core traffic just wants a 35 min flight EGLK to EGJJ or EGJB??
FLIGHT GLOBAL reports:
"The first three months have been great, the aircraft has been flying around 12h a day with quick turnarounds" says Blink co-founder and managing director Peter Leiman." and "Leiman says he is eager to take delivery of more aircraft to enable the company to build its network of destinations and deliver its low-cost air-taxi model efficiently: "Three more Mustangs will be arriving next month followed by one aircraft a month until all 45 aircraft have been handed over."
mmmm...forgive my skepticism but "flying around 12 h a day" ...?
Over the last month I believe they flew about 100 sectors on 3 Mustangs; that's an average of one sector for each Mustang a day and somehow I don't think they're averaging 4 h sectors
As for being eager for 3 more this month, well you could get 3 times the utility out of the current 3 before you needed any more; why take any more?
In the same magazine, the other UK Mustang operator seems to shed a much more realistic appraisal of the market for VLJ's today:
"We have five aircraft in the fleet and are getting 350h a year on each one," says Margetson-Rushmore, who has become increasingly sceptical of the air taxi concept. "The jury is still out on the air taxi market," he says.
"These models are based on high utilisation and low cost, but there is simply not enough business to create these operations now. Just to break even you need to be charging more than £1,100 [$1,610) per flying hour and flying more than 600h a year - these numbers can only be achieved in a very good year and even then you have the issue of seasonality."
350 h is 1h a day. That sounds more realistic and PMR talks a lot of sense.
Surely everyone wants the VLJ market to survive, in fact we want the whole industry to survive but we're all kidding ourselves if we think these huge VLJ orders are ever going to materialise at the rate they are talking about.
VLJ's have their place but so long as the operating cost is not dissimilar to the next size up, we haven't achieved any sort of radical change to the industry. Eclipse, Adams, PoGo, DayJet, One Charter, Bikk etc. all talked big in 2008 and look where they are in 2009.
As aviators, we have to do the impossible: fly high, but do so whilst keeping our feet firmly on the ground
Not sure if it still stacks up in today's market if you just hope everyone downgrades from Netjets to Blink to save money though.
And from what their flight plans reveal, can you really make money if your core traffic just wants a 35 min flight EGLK to EGJJ or EGJB??
FLIGHT GLOBAL reports:
"The first three months have been great, the aircraft has been flying around 12h a day with quick turnarounds" says Blink co-founder and managing director Peter Leiman." and "Leiman says he is eager to take delivery of more aircraft to enable the company to build its network of destinations and deliver its low-cost air-taxi model efficiently: "Three more Mustangs will be arriving next month followed by one aircraft a month until all 45 aircraft have been handed over."
mmmm...forgive my skepticism but "flying around 12 h a day" ...?
Over the last month I believe they flew about 100 sectors on 3 Mustangs; that's an average of one sector for each Mustang a day and somehow I don't think they're averaging 4 h sectors
As for being eager for 3 more this month, well you could get 3 times the utility out of the current 3 before you needed any more; why take any more?
In the same magazine, the other UK Mustang operator seems to shed a much more realistic appraisal of the market for VLJ's today:
"We have five aircraft in the fleet and are getting 350h a year on each one," says Margetson-Rushmore, who has become increasingly sceptical of the air taxi concept. "The jury is still out on the air taxi market," he says.
"These models are based on high utilisation and low cost, but there is simply not enough business to create these operations now. Just to break even you need to be charging more than £1,100 [$1,610) per flying hour and flying more than 600h a year - these numbers can only be achieved in a very good year and even then you have the issue of seasonality."
350 h is 1h a day. That sounds more realistic and PMR talks a lot of sense.
Surely everyone wants the VLJ market to survive, in fact we want the whole industry to survive but we're all kidding ourselves if we think these huge VLJ orders are ever going to materialise at the rate they are talking about.
VLJ's have their place but so long as the operating cost is not dissimilar to the next size up, we haven't achieved any sort of radical change to the industry. Eclipse, Adams, PoGo, DayJet, One Charter, Bikk etc. all talked big in 2008 and look where they are in 2009.
As aviators, we have to do the impossible: fly high, but do so whilst keeping our feet firmly on the ground
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Don't write Leiman and Blink off too soon. He's a clever young man and has gatherred experienced people around him. I'm sure that if they weather this financial crisis (Crisis what crisis?) Bllink will grow. Lets not talk an organisation with energy, enthusiasm and vigour downn just because it's easy.
And no, I'm not after a job with 'em.
Sir George Cayley
And no, I'm not after a job with 'em.
Sir George Cayley
Join Date: Dec 2004
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Re Blink
Hi they where at EBACE,Just no aircraft apart from N826CM in there colours,
busy flying everyday which is good,very professional and slick operation,
our team here are working very hard to help them achieve that,we all wish them well,And from what i have seen im sure they will do well,Peter and his team all have the passion to succeed where others have failed,and is just what this
industry needs now more than ever.
cheers.
busy flying everyday which is good,very professional and slick operation,
our team here are working very hard to help them achieve that,we all wish them well,And from what i have seen im sure they will do well,Peter and his team all have the passion to succeed where others have failed,and is just what this
industry needs now more than ever.
cheers.
Join Date: Jan 2003
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He said, rather than telling all their middle managers to go on Easyjet due to the downturn, corporations will be telling it's mid-level staff to go on micro-jets. Who'd have guessed?
Credit where credit is due, in almost no time at all they have already become the busiest jet operator at Blackbushe!
Credit where credit is due, in almost no time at all they have already become the busiest jet operator at Blackbushe!
Join Date: Nov 2007
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Phil, why so sceptical and sarcastic? These guys are at least trying to be innovative in an otherwise depressed market. I hear they are expanding fast. In fact, word on the street is that they had an enquiry from as far a feild as Guilford the other day. 
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Why are you intent on trying to bash Blink with Sarcasm and cheap digs? grow up guys and try and wish this company success as they try with the rest of you guys to keep afloat and weather this economic downturn. All comments as I am aware from customers and partners have been nothing short of exemplory.
Join Date: Mar 2005
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Loss Leader?
I'm happy to cheer on anyone launching flying machines into the sky in any 'Economic Climate'.
However, with a pile of cash secured, the temptation must be to price at a loss and so price other operators out of the market or even out of business thereby eliminating the competition. Not good for anyone in the medium to long term.
I've heard tell (this IS a rumour network) that some Blink charter quotes look very low...
Or do they just have an incredibly low cost base?
However, with a pile of cash secured, the temptation must be to price at a loss and so price other operators out of the market or even out of business thereby eliminating the competition. Not good for anyone in the medium to long term.
I've heard tell (this IS a rumour network) that some Blink charter quotes look very low...
Or do they just have an incredibly low cost base?
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I've heard tell (this IS a rumour network) that some Blink charter quotes look very low...
Join Date: Aug 2006
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The Wings, Flintstone,
Blink are not pricing anyone out of the market or attempting to see other operators go to the wall. They have a good business plan an excellent Flight Ops and Operations Dept and are quietly going about the business of building a strong customer base of very satisfied customers.
The fourth aircraft has been in the UK for some time and has just been activated, the fifth aircraft is to be delivered shortly.
For those doomsayers amongst you this is a company that is very professionally operated with airline SOP's with an excellent Flight Ops Director and management team. It is perhaps one of the few aviation companies in Europe that is hiring aircrew at the present time. The Mustang is here to stay whether some of you like it or not, importantly the customers without exception love it, it has it's limits like any aircraft but for Blink and their long term plan it's exactly the right aircraft.
I have to admit to getting very tired with all the people on this site that just can't wait it seems, to see another British aviation company go bust.
Why not celebrate a successful start up that is now established ( Blink is a year old ) and gaining quietly a good reputation amongst it's customers, who after all are the most important people with regard to a companies success.
Whilst going out on a bit of a limb I think this company is here for the long haul and long may it thrive. Good luck to all concerned.
Blink are not pricing anyone out of the market or attempting to see other operators go to the wall. They have a good business plan an excellent Flight Ops and Operations Dept and are quietly going about the business of building a strong customer base of very satisfied customers.
The fourth aircraft has been in the UK for some time and has just been activated, the fifth aircraft is to be delivered shortly.
For those doomsayers amongst you this is a company that is very professionally operated with airline SOP's with an excellent Flight Ops Director and management team. It is perhaps one of the few aviation companies in Europe that is hiring aircrew at the present time. The Mustang is here to stay whether some of you like it or not, importantly the customers without exception love it, it has it's limits like any aircraft but for Blink and their long term plan it's exactly the right aircraft.
I have to admit to getting very tired with all the people on this site that just can't wait it seems, to see another British aviation company go bust.
Why not celebrate a successful start up that is now established ( Blink is a year old ) and gaining quietly a good reputation amongst it's customers, who after all are the most important people with regard to a companies success.
Whilst going out on a bit of a limb I think this company is here for the long haul and long may it thrive. Good luck to all concerned.
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Highflight.
If you re-read my last post you'll notice that I said they were penny-wise. I'm not quite sure how that transforms into anything negative.
It's generally good form to read the whole thread before pitching into someone. Post #2 on the first page might be a good place to start. If, after doing so, you still think I'm anti-Blink feel free to let me know why.
If you re-read my last post you'll notice that I said they were penny-wise. I'm not quite sure how that transforms into anything negative.
It's generally good form to read the whole thread before pitching into someone. Post #2 on the first page might be a good place to start. If, after doing so, you still think I'm anti-Blink feel free to let me know why.
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Even an auto response would be better than nothing. An auto response stating your details have been received and if your application is to be taken further they will contact you, or words to that effect. Something simple to do. Two minute job to set up actually. Common courtesy really, don't you think?
Let's give them the benefit of the doubt. Maybe the computer literacy skills within the outfit doesn't allow them to set up an auto reply or even reply!.
Look at it this way. If they are needing people and applicants are treated like that, how are people going to be treated when they are not needed? it is also a good indicator how employees will be treated and valued within their "organization".
Let's give them the benefit of the doubt. Maybe the computer literacy skills within the outfit doesn't allow them to set up an auto reply or even reply!.
Look at it this way. If they are needing people and applicants are treated like that, how are people going to be treated when they are not needed? it is also a good indicator how employees will be treated and valued within their "organization".
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Flintstone,
You have my unreserved apology I wasn't having a go at you in particular, you will probably appreciate my drift as regards negative comments though.
As to those of you who have sent in e-mail applications I will pass on your comments about not getting replies or at least not receiving an auto reply.
Blink have had many pilot applications as you might expect and with only a small team as yet, working through them takes time.
As it happens the IT department consists of one man but he is amongst the very best at what he does.
I have been in this business for over 30 years and have sent hundreds of applications over those years with very often no response, my first reaction was not to slag off the company though and make comments about how they treat their staff etc etc. As it happens it is by all accounts a very happy company to work for, peopled by staff who respect one another whatever their role.
Show a bit of initiative and find another way of getting your cv on the right persons desk or at least make your cv stand out. In my expereince the presentation and standard of English in some of these cv's has left a lot to be desired, it's important so get it right and put a little effort into the presentation.
You have my unreserved apology I wasn't having a go at you in particular, you will probably appreciate my drift as regards negative comments though.
As to those of you who have sent in e-mail applications I will pass on your comments about not getting replies or at least not receiving an auto reply.
Blink have had many pilot applications as you might expect and with only a small team as yet, working through them takes time.
As it happens the IT department consists of one man but he is amongst the very best at what he does.
I have been in this business for over 30 years and have sent hundreds of applications over those years with very often no response, my first reaction was not to slag off the company though and make comments about how they treat their staff etc etc. As it happens it is by all accounts a very happy company to work for, peopled by staff who respect one another whatever their role.
Show a bit of initiative and find another way of getting your cv on the right persons desk or at least make your cv stand out. In my expereince the presentation and standard of English in some of these cv's has left a lot to be desired, it's important so get it right and put a little effort into the presentation.