The fractional aircraft ownership concept helped transform business aviation when introduced 30 years ago, drawing tens of thousands of never-before users into the community. Now another business model is gaining popularity among many who are complete newbies to private aviation: it's club membership, and billed as the "democratization" of private air travel. Several iterations exist, but essentially the arrangement involves paying an initiation fee plus monthly or annual dues. In return, members can access charter jets or turbo-props at reduced fares or even zero cost. The flights generally begin and terminate at fixed base operations at non-hub airports.
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