Private jet booking app JetSmarter is taking off with the help of some notable investors, including Jay-Z and the Saudi Royal Family.
This week, the company - which allows members to book private shuttle flights or schedule their own charter - revealed significant expansion plans. According to Conde Nast Traveler, JetSmarter will add new routes all over the world including in places like Asia, South America and Africa, among others by the end of 2017.
Overall, by the end of next year it hopes to have 80 new routes in service, building on its 50 existing routes.
"We have our eyes on Africa, like Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa. That'll be also closer to Q2, Q3, maybe even," JetSmarter founder, CEO, and chairman Sergey Petrossov told Conde Nast Traveler.
The company, which has drawn comparisons to ride-hailing service Uber since launching four years ago, will zero in on India during the first quarter of 2017 as it looks to connect Mumbai and New Delhi to Dubai.
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Meanwhile, the second quarter will see JetSmarter link up Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai as well as Mexico City and Miami, among other routes.
A Dubai-Hong Kong route is slated to debut in late 2017.
While private air travel is undoubtedly appealing, it comes at a cost. Members must pay a hefty $11,500 annual fee and a one-time $3,500 initiation charge in addition to the cost of initiating a charter.
Nonetheless, JetSmarter boasts as many as 6,700 members and Petrossov expects that up to 55,000 unique people will have flown with the company in 2016 when the year comes to an end.
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