Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&amp;P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.

Editor-in-Chief

Matt Thurber

JetSuiteX, which had planned to <a href="http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2016-12-14/jetsuitex-start-air-service-santa-monica-airport">begin serving Santa Monica Airport</a> (SMO) on February 6, has delayed its launch date after entering into a standstill agreement with the city of Santa Monica. The public charter operator had planned to begin flying its Embraer EMB135s on scheduled flights between SMO, Carlsbad and San Jose, California, on February 6, but “has agreed not to operate at Santa Monica prior to February 15,” according to a JetSuiteX statement. The city of Santa Monica signed a settlement agreement with the FAA on Saturday, <a href="http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/general-aviation/2017-01-29/faa-caves-city-demand-close-santa-monica-airport">allowing the city to close SMO</a> at the end of 2028.&nbsp;The consent agreement also allows the city to shorten SMO’s 4,973-foot runway to 3,500 feet with 30 days' notice. With only 3,500 feet of runway at SMO, none of the JetSuite airplanes that fly JetSuiteX trips could use the airport (Phenom 100, Citation CJ4 and ERJ135).


According to JetSuiteX, it sold flights to more than 1,000 customers after announcing the service on December 14. JetSuiteX has now cancelled all SMO flights from February 6 through 24 “to avoid uncertainty and confusion…and will issue full refunds for all affected customers.”


More than half of the ticket buyers were residents of Santa Monica, and the charter operator planned to offer discounts to any Santa Monica resident after their first ticket purchase to encourage residents to benefit from using SMO. “I think we need to give the city and the residents a reason to use the airport,” JetSuiteX CEO Alex Wilcox told AIN in December.


“Given the uncertainty surrounding the status of the airport,” he said, “we have entered into this standstill agreement to provide time for an orderly process to negotiate with the city. We apologize to our clients…who have been&nbsp;adversely&nbsp;affected by the unprecedented recent events concerning SMO.”

News and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

JetSuiteX Delays Santa Monica Service Plan

The charter operator's scheduled service between Santa Monica, San Jose and Carlsbad, Calif., has been delayed.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charles Alcock

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

The Hong Kong-based operator now has almost 50 business aircraft

China’s Sino Jet Expands Charter Fleet with Second G700

Jessica Reed

Program launches with HondaJet HA-420 and Bombardier Challenger 3500

Honda Aircraft Unit Backs Thrive Fractional Jet Program

Amy Wilder

Elite Jets, MaxAir keep names, add Priester co-brand

Priester Aviation Unifies Companies under One Brand

Program lets non-members compare pricing before booking

BlueSky Extends Pricing Access to Non-members

Hourly rates range from turboprops to VIP airliners

Paramount Business Jets Guide Details 2026 Charter Rates

Kerry Lynch

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

More In Charter & Fractional

China’s Sino Jet Expands Charter Fleet with Second G700

The Hong Kong-based operator now has almost 50 business aircraft

Honda Aircraft Unit Backs Thrive Fractional Jet Program

Program launches with HondaJet HA-420 and Bombardier Challenger 3500

Priester Aviation Unifies Companies under One Brand

Elite Jets, MaxAir keep names, add Priester co-brand

BlueSky Extends Pricing Access to Non-members

Program lets non-members compare pricing before booking

Paramount Business Jets Guide Details 2026 Charter Rates

Hourly rates range from turboprops to VIP airliners

ACA Forum Probes Broker Role in Fighting Illegal Charter

Brokers need to verify operations based on a standard

ACA Forum Explores Changing Role of Air Charter Brokers with AI

ACA is hosting its second U.S. forum as membership grows

FAI Grows Charter Fleet with Second Global 6000 Bizjet

Ultra-long-range jet is now available for worldwide charter

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN