The Flight Options owners and customers were clearly undeterred by high industry-wide jet fuel prices, a sluggish economy or a lack of snow fall at many ski areas this season. Flights to Colorado and the Caribbean rose by 9 percent and 5 percent, respectively.
"Despite many reasons to stay home this holiday season, a white Christmas or the allure of a sunny beach still hold a powerful appeal for our owners and members," said Michael J. Silvestro, Flight Options Chief Executive Officer. "Aspen and Vail (Eagle Creek, CO) have been our most popular ski resort destinations this December, while Nassau and St. Maarten have attracted the lion's share of travel to the Caribbean. And for the second year in a row, the mountains were a more popular destination among our clientele by a two-to-one margin."
The data reflect flights provided through the company's fractional ownership, membership and jet card programs from December 1 through December 29, 2011, and exclude repositioning, maintenance and FBO to FBO flights.