Travel forms a significant part of a CEO’s working life and is a non-negotiable part of running a successful company. In tough economic times, it is even more important for business leaders to look to other markets to discover ways to further their business. In NetJets Europe’s 2013 survey of European Merger & Acquisition (M&A) activity, it was found that 36 percent of global M&A volume and 41 percent of total value came from cross-border deals in the first half of 2012, the highest proportion on record since 2005.

But business travel is often viewed as a necessary evil, which can sometimes disrupt a productive working day.  In fact, how a CEO travels will dictate whether they are able to capitalise on the hours spent away from the office, and private aviation offers a bespoke service tailored to the specific needs of the passenger – transforming the experience of business travel from an uncomfortable chore to an efficient use of time. Flying privately enhances productivity and can get business men and women where they need to be, when they need to be.

Boosting productivity
Time is a precious and costly commodity for business leaders, so their journeys need to be used effectively.  Hours spent waiting in airport lounges or security queues are clearly not productive.  In an age when CEO compensation is under close scrutiny, and shareholders expect business leaders to demonstrate responsible use of corporate funds, private aviation allows business leaders to operate and run their organisations more effectively, and spend their time more efficiently.

When travelling with NetJets Europe, a plane can be ready within ten hours’ notice. There are no queues to contend with and executives can be in the air within 15 minutes of arriving at an airport with a business terminal. Time in the air can also be put to valuable use. Business leaders can catch up with work in private, or hold meetings without the disruptions, discomfort, noise and indiscretion associated with commercial air travel.

Driving deals
Today’s institutional investors and corporations are increasingly focused on accelerating their returns by investing in fast-growing economies, in innovative technologies or propositions, and in talent from around the world. With a growing amount of business taking place in different regions, it is more important than ever for business leaders to engage in face-to-face meetings to close deals. As markets continue to be volatile, those driving M&A deals are looking farther afield for opportunities: cross-border M&A, exploration of new energy markets, and ensuring active deal delivery are key priorities for successful M&A executives.  The power of close personal contact continues to be a major force in bringing success, which is recognised by our customers as our fleet takes them to far-flung destinations to create opportunities, forge relationships and execute business strategy.

One of the greatest assets a CEO can have when negotiating a merger or acquisition is discretion. They are aggressive in their pursuit of success, and business is increasingly dependent on international engagement for growth. NetJets Europe does not reveal details of its customer base, our jets are unmarked and shared between all our owners, ensuring a level of discretion that would not be possible when flying commercially or on a company owned aircraft.  This makes us a powerful tool to support highly sensitive deals.

Sturdy wings
Safety and security are often seen as a given when it comes to aviation. And although one can operate safely by meeting the minimum requirements, NetJets Europe is always raising the bar by pushing its own safety standards to the highest level, through continuous investment across its operations, such as crew training programmes and maintenance.

Security is another aspect of the overall safety of an operation, which demands resources, time and expertise. Often business leaders need to travel to destinations where there may be a limited infrastructure to conduct business, presenting challenges for both the company and the individual. Many customers, for example, work in the energy industry, and with new pockets of natural resources being discovered all the time, accessing hard to reach locations is a major hurdle for executives needing to move quickly to react to changes in the industry. Sites are often located hundreds of miles away from key transport hubs and in volatile regions where ground routes are often not viable or extremely protracted, running through unsafe areas or impassable terrain.  Instead with us the flight goes directly to the local secure airport. As one NetJets Europe customer working in the oil and gas industry commented: “I need to travel frequently to Kurdistan, as do executives and exploration teams, and the sums are easy. If we fly commercially, we face four days of travel and the risk of delays and forced overnight stays. If we fly with NetJets Europe, four days becomes four and a half hours. Every flight is direct and safe, offers a secure working environment and operates to our exact schedule. Ultimately it just makes better business sense.”

At NetJets Europe we fly to any destination our clients wish to go to, as long as it is safe and secure for them and our crew.  We have a dedicated security team with an extensive knowledge of these types of regions, who carry out continuous risk assessments on flight routes to ensure the safety of our clients.

Unlimited access
Business leaders are often required to visit more than one, often remote, destination in a limited amount of time. Through commercial travel, fitting in more than one meeting a day, often in different countries, is almost impossible, particularly as commercial airlines have cut hundreds of routes.

By using a private jet service, leaders aren’t restricted by commercial schedule limitations and are given access to a much wider variety of routes. NetJets Europe flies to 5,000 worldwide destinations, including the most remote locations. A customer based in the UK said: “I do a lot of business internationally, especially in mainland Europe and being able to meet with clients efficiently and easily, direct from regional airports, gives the businesses I work for a significant competitive advantage. Even the smallest regional airports serve more destinations than London Heathrow and are often close to where I need to go so that I end up saving a lot of time…allowing me to have several meetings in one day that are hundreds of miles apart.”

With CEOs already working 80-hour weeks, the time spent on a private jet can also be put to a different use – to recharge. So, when they arrive at their destination, they are energised and ready to operate at the level shareholders demand. Those who fly commercially will be well aware of some of the potentially detrimental effects of international travel, which make it tough to adjust to, especially when you consider that most CEOs have challenging schedules with little rest between their flight and meetings.

By travelling by private jet, business leaders can create a routine suited to their needs, choosing what and when they eat, and when they sleep, without being disturbed by other passengers.

Whether it is developing business relationships, visiting clients or completing crucial deals, having the ability to travel quickly, safely and efficiently has never been so important.

For further information visit www.netjetseurope.com