Discovery Jets (Fort Lauderdale Executive) is looking to add three Cessna Aircraft Company Citation X aircraft by the end of 2025, expand into the commuter aircraft segment, and re-enter the cargo sector, CEO Darren Banham said in an exclusive interview with ch-aviation.

The boutique business jet operator currently operates two Citation X jets, with plans to add a third leased one in the coming months and a fourth in early 2025, with the fifth likely coming by the end of next year, according to Banham. The expansion strategy is centred on acquiring and operating the Citation X, but it also includes stable cargo operations and broader growth in commuter aviation.

“By the end of 2025, we aim to have five Citation X in our fleet,” he said, adding that Discovery Jets has capitalised on the super mid-category aircraft segment for a while, mostly focusing on coast-to-coast travel, as those routes maximise aircraft utilisation. “We try to avoid bouncing them around on short sectors too much.”

Discovery Jets' most common routes include Teterboro-Aspen, Teterboro-Van Nuys and Santa Ana, CA-Washington, according to Banham. However, the CEO noted that there has been a slight uptick in some inland routes, particularly from New York and the West Coast to Texas and some of the Midwestern states.

Discovery Jets currently operates two Citation X aircraft, N107AV (msn 750-0107) and N905VR (msn 750-0105). One is company-owned and the other is leased.

According to Banham, Discovery Jets aims to achieve flexibility and agility through its fleet. “We can launch an aircraft in 90 minutes, providing clients with a level of responsiveness that is critical in aviation,” he said, pointing out that the company prefers staying relatively small.

Discovery Jets made a “conscious decision” in the past year or so, he said, to move away from managed aircraft, unlike many competitors, and focus on owned aircraft in a floating fleet, allowing for more flexibility and more hours. A single Discovery Jets aircraft operates around 1,000 hours per year on average and has a cycle ratio of 2.7 hours.

Having a floating fleet also means that Discovery Jets focuses on partnerships for maintenance while also employing its own mechanics to handle AOG matters.

“We have established partnerships with 145 facilities on the West Coast, on the East Coast, and in South Florida,” Banham said, adding that road support is essential.

Opportunities in commuter aviation

Beyond its core business of chartered flights, Discovery Jets is exploring opportunities in the commuter aircraft sector. Banham explained that the move towards commuter aviation, where he expects to see the most growth over the upcoming period, comes from South Africa’s NAC Charter, which has a 25% stake in Discovery Jets and focuses on commuter aircraft. "We’re evaluating which options are best for us," he noted.

Discovery Jets also plans to re-enter the cargo sector, having previously operated a Beech 1900(F) for six months. Although cargo is not expected to drive the bulk of the growth in 2025, the chief executive stressed that Discovery is looking for another cargo aircraft, potentially another Beechcraft 1900, that would be available “on a longer-term basis”.

Despite the expansion into commuter aviation and cargo, Discovery Jets still expects the corporate side of the business to remain its core. In 2024, it made up 85% of total operations.

Navigating crew challenges

As the aviation industry deals with crew shortages, Discovery Jets has managed to retain its pilots, opting to keep crew members employed throughout the pandemic, the CEO said. "We didn’t furlough a single pilot and instead chose to operate at break-even," he explained. The approach has proven effective, as pilot availability is now improving, although challenges remain in training and retention.

The company currently employs thirteen crew members, thus maintaining a reserve to mitigate potential staffing shortages. "With training slots being difficult to secure, having additional crew on hand is essential," the CEO stated.

Market trends, new clients

As the market normalises, Discovery Jets has observed a shift in client preferences. While pre-pandemic, around 70% of flights were business-related, the current split is approximately 60% leisure and 40% business.

"Many new clients who transitioned to private aviation during the pandemic were typically business or first class travellers," Banham noted, underscoring the lasting impact of the pandemic on travel trends.

Discussing client acquisition, the executive explained that the operator’s business model focuses on collaborating with charter brokers to find new business. “We don't go out and actively pursue direct clients. We just focus on being honest and transparent with our existing brokers, and building our building our volume that way,” he said.