Van Nuys, California-based operator Planet Nine has added a fifth Gulfstream to its Part 135 managed charter fleet. The Gulfstream GV is available for charter immediately, and features a recently refurbished three-zone interior, with 12 soft cream leather executive seats and two lavatories. The aircraft will be based at Naples airport in south west Florida, a new operating base for the company.

Planet Nine has added two more pilots to support the new aircraft. It is also looking forward to working closely with Naples Aviation for aircraft handling, inflight catering and concierge services.

The 6,500 nm-range GV is suitable for up to 14 hours' flying time. Its spacious 1,812 cu ft cabin is flexibly designed for work and relaxation. The aircraft also features a well-equipped, sizeable rear galley and forward crew galley. Inflight entertainment is via eight large iPads, each loaded with a variety of movies. Connectivity is accessible via Gogo/Swift broadband.

“At a time when the commercial aviation industry is reeling from the effects of the global coronavirus pandemic, the business aviation sector has really stepped up to offer both repatriation and special flights when the airline industry dramatically scaled back the number of scheduled flights,” says Matt Walter, co-founder and director of business development. “This has enabled us to get on to the radar of new flyers who hadn't considered private charter before. These last few months we have widened our customer base, adding a number of first time (and also younger clientele) choosing us for (primarily) domestic and USA to European flights.

“This Gulfstream GV, with its high spec comfortable interior, will be popular in the charter market, and we are very pleased to be adding it to our AOC, especially from a new Florida base, which complements our Van Nuys and Teterboro, New Jersey operations.”

Planet Nine's latest Gulfstream GV takes its managed and charter fleet to 11 aircraft. The fleet includes two further sister Gulfstream GV aircraft, a Gulfstream G550, Gulfstream G650 and a Bombardier Global Express. Planet Nine also owns and operates for charter four Dassault Falcon 7Xs.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the company has been working daily to conduct international operations while managing and mitigating any risks associated with the virus and air travel.

Employees perform twice-daily health check-ins as a pro-active health quarantine measure in response to any illness. Passengers are greeted warmly by flight crew, but at a distance, wearing appropriate personal protective equipment.

Its cabin service department has worked tirelessly to fine-tune its VVIP service, adhering throughout to strict hygiene, sanitisation and PPE best practices. Hygiene practices are in effect even when off-duty. Flight crew follow strict layover practices to minimise exposure, and all its jets are professionally and meticulously cleaned after every flight, as well as being cleaned by the flight crew, before, during and after each flight. Each aircraft is stocked and sanitised with commercial-grade disinfectant, specifically tested on commercial aircraft.