NETJETS have come up with a novel yet simple solution to the Irish government”s dilemma over its air transport aircraft requirements for both head of state and prime minister. It is submitting a tender to the Department of Defence that will provide the Government with all the benefits of private travel at what it says is a fraction of the cost of buying a jet. NetJets is proposing that instead of involving itself with a single private jet aircraft, the Government buy a unit in NetJets” fractional ownership programme. Such an approach would mean that the government would only pay for the flying time it required and would not incur costs for ”idle time”, whilst the aircraft was not in use or undergoing maintenance. With more than 50 jets in service in Europe alone, NetJets is able to guarantee aircraft availability 7 days a week, 365 days a year. ABTN can see the idea catching on with other small countries although there could be substantial resistance, and not just from the chief executive”s office but from the military also. They would miss out on the selection process. http://www.NetJets.com