New startups count on ‘anti-airline’ sentiment
Phil Garfinkle has nothing to fear but the lack of fear itself.

Phil Garfinkle has nothing to fear but the lack of fear itself. Garfinkle founded Executive Private Aircraft Corporation (EPAC) to fan airline customers’ fears of traveling with unknown passengers, and their impatience and growing aversion to airport security checks. The EPAC mission is to provide “members with safe, convenient and value-oriented private air travel in a country-club environment.”

The startup Part 135 operator, based in Herndon, Va., plans to take flight in September, but possibly as early as July, with the first two of six deliveries of the Fairchild Dornier Envoy 3. The company has 12 more options over two years, although the outcome of the airframe manufacturer’s current bout with insolvency will decide these plans.