The visionary behind Call a Jet

The visionary behind Call a Jet is its founder, Joe Kurta. With a background that might surprise you, Joe transitioned from the music industry, where he owned several record labels, to business aviation in 2008 when vinyl sales were declining. His passion for aviation had always been there, but it was a chance meeting with an old friend while DJing that sparked the idea to enter the business aviation market.

“I was always interested in aviation and had started getting my private pilot license before COVID,” Joe explains. His experience at EBACE (European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition) sealed the deal, inspiring him to launch Call a Jet from scratch.

Joe’s background in the music industry provided valuable skills for the aviation sector. “I learned a lot from music—handling your own shop, being strict with payments, managing artists, which now helps me manage clients.” This unconventional background gave Call a Jet a fresh perspective in an established industry.

The situation: Building a family-owned business with independence and authenticity

Since its inception in 2008, Call a Jet has maintained its commitment to independence. Today, Joe works with his wife, Yuliya Kurta, and his cousin Otto Kurta. The family’s dog Sherlock serves as the motivator at the Budapest office.

Starting from zero, Joe employed creative guerrilla marketing techniques to build his client base. From placing business cards on luxury cars to handing out flyers on the street, his persistence paid off.

Today, Call a Jet operates with a small but effective team based primarily in Budapest. It has additional offices in Puebla, Mexico, and a growing presence in North America. It serves a diverse clientele, with about 30% from Hungary and the remainder primarily from Germany, Austria, and other English-speaking markets.

As a long-time Avinode member since 2010, Call a Jet has leveraged the platform to expand its reach and streamline its operations while maintaining its unique identity in the market.

The solution: Maximizing efficiency with tools designed for charter brokers

In the competitive world of private aviation, Call a Jet recognizes that efficiency and reliability are paramount. Their clients expect swift, seamless service, particularly for last-minute bookings. The challenge was finding a solution that could accelerate their quoting, booking, and payment processes while enhancing client communication.

Streamlined communication and booking process

Call a Jet found its answer in Avinode Group’s integrated solutions. Trip Manager has become central to their operations for quoting and invoicing, while the Avinode App helps them respond to last-minute requests with agility.

“Communication between brokers and operators is a lot quicker and smoother with Avinode,” Joe explains. “With online booking, we’re sending fewer emails back and forth. Links on WhatsApp make everything a lot easier. Even if clients are out and about, it’s easy for them to sign contracts.”

Unified data management

One of the most significant advantages has been the consolidation of data into a single system. This unified approach has eliminated information silos, allowing the Call a Jet team to collaborate more effectively and provide consistent service to their clients.

Secure and simplified payments

The integration of Paynode into their workflow has further enhanced the booking experience by simplifying the payment process. Signing is easier, and receiving payments is more streamlined. This has removed a significant friction point in completing bookings, particularly for time-sensitive flights.

The results: A trusted Broker with authentic connections

For Call a Jet, success isn’t just measured in numbers but in the quality of relationships they’ve built. Their authentic approach to air charter, supported by reliable technology, has established them as a trusted Broker in the industry.

Building trust through reliability

Joe observes that the Avinode Marketplace only has reliable operators and serious brokers. This quality assurance gives Call a Jet confidence when sourcing aircraft for their clients, knowing they’re working with reputable partners.

Enhancing client experience with innovation

Call a Jet’s commitment to authenticity extends to their marketing approach. They have recently launched a YouTube channel to demystify private aviation for potential clients, showcasing the real experience of flying private without actors or scripts.

A collaborative partnership built on trust

The relationship with Avinode Group has evolved far beyond a typical vendor-client dynamic. At the heart of this partnership is Åsa Vidner, Call a Jet’s dedicated Customer Success Manager for the past year and a half.

What stands out for Joe is the responsiveness of the support team. This collaborative approach demonstrates Avinode Group’s commitment to working alongside members as true partners, enhancing the platform based on real industry needs while building relationships that transcend typical business interactions.

What’s next for Call a Jet

Looking ahead, Call a Jet is cautiously expanding into the US market, maintaining its “slow and steady” approach to growth. It’s also focusing on enhancing its digital presence, with its YouTube channel allowing clients to better understand the private aviation process.

For the upcoming busy summer season, Joe offers valuable advice to fellow brokers:

• “Have a big enough workforce to share the workload, organize the work so people don’t get overwhelmed.”
• “Don’t try to multitask—do everything step by step, otherwise you will make mistakes.”
• Focus on regional hotspots like “Palma, Ibiza, and Mykonos,” which Joe predicts will be popular destinations yet again this season.