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Brazilian on-demand marketplace Flapper announces plans to launch Mexico operations in Q2 2020

The company, created in 2016, will offer shared flights and on-demand charters

 

 

Flapper, considered the first boutique private airline in Brazil, has announced its intention to open Mexican operations in the second quarter of 2020.

The company cites a large domestic market and low utilization of technology as the key motives behind selecting Mexico as its first international market. Paul Malicki, Flapper’s CEO, is confident that it will leave a permanent positive impact on the local business aviation scene:

"The Mexican market is attractive to us for a number of reasons, including a large domestic fleet, proximity to the US, and an existence of a private aviation hub in Toluca Airport, he says. "At the same time it faces the same challenges as Brazil, with little utilization of technology and large fragmentation of air taxi segment.

"Our intention is to turn private aviation into the mainstream travel option and increase the size of the existing market," he added.

More than 35% of Flapper's customers never flew private before, according to Malicki. By offering seats in general aviation aircraft and simplifying the charter booking process, Flapper claims to increase the use of such services, especially among corporations and end clients. The app, which currently counts 160 thousand users in Brazil, is yet to be localized to the Spanish language and the local currency - the key project that the company undertook for 2020.

Flapper Fonders Paul Malicki and Arthur Virzin.

Flapper Fonders Paul Malicki and Arthur Virzin.

Flapper has already registered its first 10 air taxi operators and is in advance discussions with the Mexican investors who will finance its expansion. It evaluates the size of the market to be of around $700m. Its plans include offering high-season flights between Toluca and Acapulco, as well as offering empty legs across the country. The proprietary quotation system will be used by charter clients who can receive prices in real-time.

To date, Flapper has transported more than 10,000 customers in Brazil, currently utilising 350 of the 450 fixed-wing and rotorcraft approved for commercial operations in the South American nation. The company also highlights its association with Wyvern - a milestone achieved in December - certifying its compliance with international operational safety standards.

Flapper's most popular destinations are located along the São Paulo coastline.

Flapper's most popular destinations are located along the São Paulo coastline. Strategically located between Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, cities such as Angra dos Reis, Paraty, Ilhabela, or Juquehy are a perfect target for high net worth individuals - many of them owning yachts and condominiums or visiting the region’s exclusive hotels. The route to Angra dos Reis is the most popular, as the company expands its scheduled weekly flights, which departs from Campo de Marte Executive Airport in São Paulo. The Caravan Grand-based flight costs less than US$ 300 per person, offering a space for up to 9 passengers.

Despite Brazil being its main market, Flapper states that it has already made several flights in neighboring countries and intends to increase its offer in Spanish-speaking Latin America.

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Flapper

 

BlueSky Business Aviation News | 12th March 2020 | Issue #548

 

 

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