KEY POINTS:
Those of you lucky enough to have flown into Queenstown recently will have noticed smaller planes nestling on the tarmac like opulent birds.
They are private jets - some chartered and some owned by international visitors who don't like being at the mercy of pesky domestic airline flight schedules.
Such high-fliers may just want to pop over to Hawke's Bay for lunch, but don't want to make the decision until late morning.
For a lot of New Zealand companies, hiring a jet or a luxury helicopter is an extravagance. But if they want to woo an international visitor to make a multimillion-dollar deal, it may be worth paying the $2500-$4000 hourly rate to lease a jet or helicopter.
Private jets are increasing in numbers. They can be essential for some of our country's big players who need to move quickly on a deal outside of New Zealand.
These guys stand to make millions by being at the right place at the right time. Such business players don't see air travel as an extravagant luxury but more a necessary evil, says Mike Pero, chief executive of independent aircharter and freight operator Jet Express International.
'In the 80s [before the '87 crash] they were a status symbol and were often abused by heads of some companies,' he says.
'By contrast, today they are a tool for generating revenue.'
The small handful of jets available for hire in New Zealand are owned by wealthy individuals such as Peter Jackson and Graeme Hart. Pacific Jet leases out its Cessna Citation jet.
For those who don't own their own, several companies, including Destination64, Seasonz Travel and Luxury Adventures, can organise the complete package for you - food and drink as well as the hire of the plane or helicopter, transport at either end plus luxury accommodation, of course.
"Private jets are very comfortable and you're on your own time. It's very practical and easy if you've got the money,' says Tony Townley, managing director of Luxury Adventures, which organises high-end travel to top resorts throughout New Zealand, Australia, Tahiti and Fiji.
Sam Porter from Seasonz, who says he is the biggest booker of private jets in New Zealand, describes a private jet as "very time effective, not cost effective'.
Porter regularly takes business people on helicopter trips on weekends, flying them up to Kauri Cliffs in Keri Keri, Treetops near Taupo, or Huka Lodge.
"They might be taking clients or be giving staff incentives,' he says.
Grant Mudgway, director of Destination64, which deals with a lot of in-bound international clients, says many of those hiring private jets are investors coming here to do site inspections. Corporate clients find the investment worthwhile.
From Auckland it takes an hour and 10 minutes to get to the Bay of Islands in a private jet.
"It provides a lifetime of memories,' Mudgway says. "They leave at 9am fly up the coast, play golf at Kauri Cliffs. It's a few more dollars but what a way to impress.'
These VIPs coming into the country on private jets do not usually have to go through the usual Customs channels, he says, but are pre-processed.
First and last impressions of New Zealand are crucial when corporates are entertaining international clients, he says.
They do not want their last memory of New Zealand to be a 150-long queue of grumpy travellers.
"It's so important [what happens] when they arrive and leave the country, it can influence the whole trip.'
- Detours, HoS
