DALLAS, May 26, 2015 – Flexjet LLC, offering travelers access to the world’s most luxurious fleet of private jets, today announced that D.J. Hanlon, a 13-year veteran of the private aviation industry, will join the firm as Senior Vice President of West Coast Sales. Hanlon will help meet the growing demand for large-cabin extended range aircraft Flexjet is experiencing. Flexjet is the only fractional provider offering access to new long-range aircraft from Gulfstream, providing direct connections between North America and locations throughout the world.
Most recently, Hanlon served as Vice President of Sales for California-headquartered private jet charter company XOJET and as founding partner of integrated large-cabin charter management company Jet Edge International. Earlier, he was responsible for California and Pacific Northwest sales at fractional provider NetJets for nine years. Hanlon was educated at Boston University and lives in Newport Beach, California, with his wife and two children.
Hanlon will report directly to Flexjet’s Chief Executive Officer, Michael Silvestro. “D.J. Hanlon is a proven leader in the private aviation industry, with deep experience in both the West Coast fractional market and large-cabin products,” said Silvestro. “As Flexjet expands its global capabilities through the newest, most luxurious and most capable fleet in the fractional ownership industry, D.J. will provide the outstanding service our Owners have come to expect from us.”
Hanlon added, “Flexjet has a reputation for providing not only distinctive, technologically advanced aircraft but also an exceptional level of service. I’m proud to join the Flexjet team, and look forward to helping the company continue the phenomenal growth it has enjoyed.”
Backed by the resources of Directional Aviation, which acquired Flexjet in 2013, the company is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2015 by making a major investment in its fleet. The company already has made firm orders for 207 new planes and options from Bombardier, Gulfstream and Embraer that could bring the total number of aircraft to 445, an investment that potentially could top US$8 billion.
Large-cabin aircraft including the Bombardier Global Express have recently joined the fleet and will soon be complemented by iconic Gulfstream planes including the G450TM, Gulfstream G500TM and Gulfstream G650TM, which begin to enter the fleet starting in June. These additions will further expand the company’s ability to provide nonstop service to European, Asian and South American destinations.
Additional aircraft already being delivered under various contracts include the Challenger 350LXi, the successor to the venerated Challenger 300, as well as lighter aircraft including the Learjet 75LXi and the Embraer Phenom 300.
About Flexjet
Flexjet, LLC first entered the fractional jet ownership market in 1995, and celebrated its 20th anniversary in May 2015. Flexjet offers fractional jet ownership and leasing. Flexjet’s fractional aircraft program is the first in the world to be recognized as achieving the Air Charter Safety Foundation’s Industry Audit Standard, and Flexjet is the first and only company to be honored with its 14th FAA Diamond Award for Excellence. Flexjet’s fractional program fields an exclusive array of business aircraft—some of the youngest in the fractional jet industry with an average age of approximately six years—including the Learjet 45LXi, Phenom 300, Learjet 75LXi, Challenger 300/350, Challenger 604/605, Global Express and the Gulfstream G450, G500 and G650 business jets. Flexjet is a member of the Directional Aviation family of companies. For more details on innovative programs and flexible offerings, visit fxmultiprod.wpengine.com or follow us on Twitter @Flexjet.
About Directional Aviation
Directional Aviation is a private investment firm whose singular focus is private business aviation. Combining strategic aviation ownership, unmatched experience and revolutionary vision, Directional continues to innovate and reshape private aviation. Directional’s unique industry expertise enables them to quickly understand business aviation companies and provide the financing and operational strategy needed to take advantage of evolving market opportunities. For more information, visit www.directionalaviation.com.
