HansJet: Redefining Private Aviation for the Superyacht Visitor

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Welcome to Yacht Charter Market, the weekly newsletter dedicated to the world of yacht charter.

In today’s newsletter:

• Top story: HansJet: Redefining Private Aviation for the Superyacht Visitor

• Top charter updates: Charter the Bahamas onboard Patience | Enjoy Thanksgiving onboard Odessa | A Bahamian winter with Marea La Nautica | Exchange the mountains for the sun with Aspen Alternative | Explore the Amalfi Coast with XO of the Seas | Step onboard Orion for a Caribbean winter

• Zairos: FX & Cross-Currency Solutions for Charter & Asset Payments

• Charter insight: Charter the Bahamian islands of Exumas, Eleuthera and Abacos onboard Beachfront with 26North.

• Superyacht Spotlight: We invited a ballerina🩰 on a €8M yacht Nocturno. We captured something cinematic.

TOP STORY

HansJet: Redefining Private Aviation for the Superyacht Visitor

In a world where exclusivity and efficiency are as prized as comfort and discretion, HansJet has quietly redefined what it means to fly private. Blending Swiss precision, understated luxury, and technological innovation, the company is carving out a niche that speaks directly to today’s new generation of discerning travellers.

At the helm is Eric Weisskopf, Managing Director of HansJet, whose career in aviation spans more than two decades. A former Air Force and airline pilot turned executive, Weisskopf has held senior leadership roles at Comlux and VistaJet. His passion for the Pilatus PC-12, the aircraft that underpins HansJet’s operations, has defined much of his career.

“I joined HansJet a year ago to help scale the business into its next phase of growth,” Weisskopf explains. “The demand for a smarter, more flexible aviation model is stronger than ever: we’ve completed more than 5,000 flights in just four years.”

Europe: A Changing Market

The European charter market has long been fragmented: with a mix of brokers, operators, and intermediaries to be in contact with, communication can be choppy and time consuming. HansJet’s model is designed to change that. “We offer instant, bookable pricing,” says Weisskopf. “There’s no waiting and no uncertainty. It’s private aviation with total transparency and reliability.”

Weisskopf sees a profound shift in the market. Just like yacht owners, “aircraft owners are getting younger, and they’re thinking differently. They don’t necessarily want to own an aircraft outright. They want flexibility, sustainability, and value. HansJet sits exactly at that intersection, combining ownership benefits with the simplicity of membership.”

The Aircraft that Makes it Possible

Central to HansJet’s success is the Pilatus PC-12, a Swiss-engineered turboprop renowned for its efficiency, versatility, and comfort. “Commercial airlines require runways of at least 1.8 kilometres,” Weisskopf notes. “The PC-12 can land on strips as short as 800 metres, or even on grass or gravel.”

In Europe alone, this capability opens up a network of over 3,000 runways, connecting clients directly to destinations like St. Tropez, St. Mortiz, or San Marino, otherwise inaccessible by commercial airlines. “For our yachting clients, this is a game-changer,” he adds. “We can take them straight to the coast, right to the marina gate.”

The aircraft’s efficiency is equally compelling. “A Pilatus PC-12 burns just 260 litres of fuel per hour, compared to 2,000 litres for a Falcon 2000, while carrying up to eight passengers,” Weisskopf explains. “Per passenger, our emissions are lower than both commercial airlines and luxury cars.”

HansJet is also embracing Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), now a legal requirement in parts of Europe. “Pilatus part-owns Synthelion, a company creating synthetic fuels using only elements from the air and solar heat. It’s the future of aviation fuel: and we’re part of that evolution.”

A Premium Experience, Redefined

While HansJet’s aircraft do not carry flight attendants, Weisskopf insists the experience remains uncompromisingly premium. “Our pilots are also hosts,” he says. “It’s a pilot-hosted experience that feels intimate and personal. We curate gourmet snacks, fine beverages, and ensure every detail is tailored to the client.”

That attention to detail extends beyond the cabin. Hans Travel & Lifestyle, HansJet’s sister company, provides concierge-level services: from reservations at Massimo Bottura’s Osteria Francescana in Modena to VIP access at Monaco Yacht Show or the Formula 1 Grand Prix. “We design entire itineraries, boutique hotels, private islands, ski chalets, wellness retreats, across the most exclusive European destinations.”

“It’s all about fluidity,” Weisskopf adds. “Our clients move effortlessly between the air, the sea, and the world’s most extraordinary experiences. HansJet ensures every step, from the runway to the yacht deck, feels seamless, elegant, and entirely personal.”

Transparent Pricing and True Flexibility

HansJet’s pricing model is refreshingly straightforward. “Traditional charters charge for positioning flights: if your aircraft starts in Manchester but you’re flying from London to St. Tropez, you pay for four hours instead of two,” Weisskopf explains. “Our system is different. We price only occupied hours. That same two-hour trip is €10,000 for six passengers, every time. No surprises.”

This simplicity is part of what makes HansJet attractive to members. With a fleet of six aircraft, two kept on standby, and access to partner capacity across Europe, availability is guaranteed for fractional owners and members alike.

“We can typically confirm within 24 hours, and often faster,” he says. “Even for last-minute requests, especially for yacht owners connecting to their vessels, we coordinate with helicopter partners to ensure seamless transfers.”

Membership and Ownership: The Best of Both Worlds

For clients flying over 50 hours annually, HansJet offers a Fractional Ownership Programme, providing the stability of ownership without full capital commitment. “Fractional ownership has been around for large jets,” Weisskopf says, “but we’ve adapted it for turboprops. Members enjoy guaranteed access, predictable pricing, and the feeling of ownership, but without the hassle.”

At €4,950 per flight hour, members gain access not only to HansJet’s fleet but also to its lifestyle ecosystem. “We connect members to events like the Monaco Grand Prix and London Fashion Week, or to private yachts and intimate island retreats. It’s about experiences, not just flights,” he explains.

Weisskopf adds, “Our clients value time above all. HansJet lets them travel on their schedule, land closer to their destination, and enjoy the same consistency every time they fly.”

As private aviation evolves, HansJet’s approach feels both discreetly luxurious and deeply pragmatic: a fusion that mirrors the refined tastes of its clientele. “We’re building the future of boutique aviation in Europe; one that merges seamlessly with the yachting industry,” Weisskopf concludes. “A model that values sustainability, transparency, and the freedom to fly without compromise.”

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Charter Insight

Beachfront: A Hargrave Yacht Designed for Ease and Character

The water is always close at hand aboard Beachfront, whether she is gliding through the channels of the Exumas or resting in the calm shallows of Eleuthera and the Abacos. Built by Hargrave Yachts in 2006 and comprehensively refitted in 2022, Beachfront blends American craftsmanship with a contemporary sensibility that suits modern charter expectations. Her refreshed interior, clean exterior profile and carefully balanced deck arrangement create a yacht shaped for genuine enjoyment at sea.

At 33 metres, she offers a reassuring sense of volume without compromising her ability to navigate the shallow, shifting waters of the Bahamas. The refit brought a full repaint, upgraded air-conditioning systems, new entertainment units and a complete audio overhaul, complemented by additional updates in 2024 including new teak and revised navigation screens. The result is a yacht that feels clean, current and confidently maintained.

Interior Design & Guest Experience

Inside, the main saloon sets the tone with its soft, neutral palette and relaxed flow. A long down-sofa stretches almost the full length of the room, accompanied by two bucket chairs and a new hi-lo LED television. Forward, the dining area seats ten beneath custom glass artwork that gives the space a quiet focal point. The impression is one of calm comfort rather than formality.

The galley sits to starboard on the main deck and is arranged around a granite island that naturally becomes a gathering point. A small breakfast table faces wide windows, turning even a quick morning bite into an unhurried moment with a view. Professional-grade appliances support charter operations, while the layout invites guests to engage with the galley as an open, social space rather than a closed working room.

Guest accommodation is situated on the lower deck. Two queen staterooms lie aft, each with ensuite bathrooms and natural light through twin portholes. Forward of these, the full-beam master suite provides a generous and private escape, featuring a king-sized bed, lounge seating and separate wardrobes for extended stays. Its ensuite, finished in floor-to-ceiling granite, includes both rainfall and standard shower heads. A forward queen VIP and an adaptable twin-bunk stateroom complete the arrangement, allowing up to ten guests to stay aboard in comfort. Every stateroom has its own ensuite and follows the same subtle, tactile detailing.

Life on Deck

Beachfront’s exterior spaces are where her charter character becomes most evident. The aft deck feels made for long lunches and shaded afternoons, with dining for ten and clear access down to the swim platform. Forward, the bow lounge offers a more intimate setting, with its V-shaped seating ideal for reading, conversation or simply taking in the light and colour of the surrounding water.

The flybridge is the yacht’s most sociable space. Three helm chairs sit forward beside additional seating that faces the breeze, while a bar with fixed stools, an L-shaped settee and a large teak dining table create a natural gathering point for groups. A jacuzzi occupies the aft section, flanked by four sun loungers with adjustable backrests, allowing guests either to face the view ahead or relax privately toward the stern. The design is thoughtful, with each space transitioning smoothly into the next.

Two wave runners are stowed on this deck alongside a davit, making toy deployment quick and straightforward without interrupting the rhythm of the day.

Time on the Water

A yacht’s personality is often shaped by its toys, and Beachfront leans into an active, easygoing charter style. Her inventory includes wave runners, Seabobs, paddleboards, an e-foil and an inflatable dock, paired with a recently repowered 32-foot Intrepid tender for exploring shallow anchorages and nearby beaches. The swim platform supports these activities comfortably, giving guests clear access to the water for both high-energy play and quiet morning swims.

A Comfortable, Confident Charter Platform

Well established in the Bahamas charter market, Beachfront is presented in turnkey condition, supported by a professional crew of five who maintain a warm yet unobtrusive style of service. Her size and configuration suit a wide range of charter groups. Families appreciate the versatile cabin arrangement; groups of friends gravitate toward the flybridge; and couples value the privacy offered by the master suite and the quieter corners of the exterior deck plan.

Beachfront reflects a considered approach to mid-sized chartering. She is comfortable without excess, social without crowding, and upgraded in ways that matter. Whether days are shaped around water sports, long meals or quiet movement through the islands, she delivers a charter experience that feels both effortless and well cared for.

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