Left to right: Amanda McGivney, Lucy Redknapp, Laura Green and Alex Fellows.
Published: June 11, 2021 | Updated: 12th June 2021
A business idea hatched over lunch last summer by four long-standing friends has taken to the skies as the UK’s first all-female aviation broker.
Sandbanks Jets specialises in global private jet charter, offering anything from a single-engine turboprop to a Boeing 787 Dreamliner carrying up to 246 people.
Twin engine helicopters are also available for charter.
The four friends – Alex Fellows, Laura Green, Amanda McGivney and Lucy Redknapp – are now Directors of Sandbanks Jets which was incorporated in November 2020.
Amanda, 43, and Lucy, 40, have 30 years of aviation experience between them while Laura, 43, has worked for many years in marketing and Alex, 42, has an extensive background in sales.
“We’re lucky that, between us, we have a full complement of skills,” said Laura.
Lucy, who worked in the aviation industry as a crew trainer and part of the base management team, said the idea for Sandbanks Jets came after the user of a private jet charter service felt the experience fell short of expectations.
She said: “We felt we could do it differently and better.
“For many it is a lifetime experience. Every aspect of the service should reflect that.
“We offer the complete travel management service, making life easier and saving time while offering a seamless luxury flight experience.”
Amanda, who worked for a leading airline from 1999, said the pandemic had provided the time and space to get processes in place as well as forge close links with agents, partners and charter companies.
“We’re able to fly from any departure airport to any destination airport in the world,” she said.
Sandbanks Jets, which has adopted the slogan ‘The Ride of Your Life’, has built a particularly close relationship with XLR Bournemouth.
Based at Bournemouth Airport, it is one of four luxury private jet centres in the UK – the others are in Birmingham, Liverpool and Exeter – and is part of regional airports operator Regional & City Airports, a subsidiary of Rigby Group plc.
Alex said: “The team at XLR could not have been more helpful.
“Nothing is too much to trouble and they have been absolutely brilliant, going above and beyond.”
Lucy, who is the daughter-in-law of Harry Redknapp, added: “We feel passionately about Bournemouth Airport.
“It’s our hometown airport and we will do everything we can to support it.”
For its part, XLR Bournemouth has warmly welcomed the arrival of Sandbanks Jets.
Martin Spraggons, Corporate Aviation Manager, XLR Bournemouth, pictured with Alex, Lucy, Amanda and Laura, said: “Sandbanks Jets provides an outstanding service and, since partnering with them earlier this year, we’ve developed an excellent working relationship.
“Their ethos is superb and our two companies share many of the same values, particularly around client wellbeing and luxury air travel.
“We are proud to be working with another Bournemouth business, generating local traffic and boosting our regional economy.”
Sandbanks Jets is also a Partner with Mayfair-based Sunseeker London Group, the official and leading distributor for new and pre-owned luxury Sunseeker motor yachts.
The all-female business has been welcomed in a traditionally male-dominated industry as a ‘breath of fresh air’, said Laura.
She said: “We’re not in the business of doing down other companies but we believe our attention to customer service, combined with our ability to be nimble, sets us apart.”
Each private charter is seen off, or welcomed, by either the four directors or their agents around the world while any special request – including food and drink – can be arranged.
Flights involving Bournemouth Airport include a luxury hamper from Rick Stein in Sandbanks.
Clients range from businessmen and women to private individuals and families.
Lucy said: “It could be a business trip, a special celebration or two families flying to the South of France on holiday.
“A typical price could be in the region of £10,000 for eight passengers one-way.
“The advantages are huge.
“No queuing and delays in airports and less exposure to germs.”
Laura added: “There are estimated to be 700 touch points if you’re flying from an airport but just five to ten if you fly privately.
“In these days of Covid that’s a big factor for many.”
With demand for private jet charters expected to soar over the coming years, Amanda said the business was perfectly positioned to make the most of the opportunities.
As for the future, Lucy said: “Our dream is one day to have a fleet of charter aircraft at Bournemouth Airport.
“That may be some way off but I wouldn’t rule it out.”
