NewswireTODAY - /newswire/ - Palma, Spain, 2008/12/18 - The uncertainty behind the dangers presented by the increase in piracy off the horn of Africa is the main reason for the escalation in private air charter requests.

A surge in pirate attacks has proved costly to international shipping resulting in private aircraft charter businesses such as Eurojets.com cashing-in from the increasingly tentative shipping climate.

Reportedly there have been 42 successful hijackings off the coast of Somalia this year with fourteen foreign ships and their crew of over 200 still being held. And whilst merchant vessels such as the Sirius Star are making the headlines, Somali pirates have shown that they are indiscriminate when it comes to hijacking vessels by taking over smaller private yachts as well.

It is such clientele that Eurojets.com claims is now beginning to see come through their doors seeking a more secure yet equally luxurious method of transport. According to a spokesperson at Eurojets.com “trips that would ordinarily be done via private yacht around the horn of Africa are now taking place via air” and that “enquiries for private flights on such routes are up threefold”.

The cost of buying insurance cover to send ships through volatile areas has soared since piracy began to take root off the coast of Somalia, with premiums rising more than tenfold since January. Costs vary depending on the journey taken and the value of the ship’s contents, but it can cost up to $1.5 million to insure a fleet of ships for damage to their hulls alone on a single journey through the Gulf of Aden.

Soaring insurance costs coupled with the potential loss of a costly vessel and contents means that the security and comfort of flying via private air charter is now a more cost effective alternative which wealthy private boat owners are now taking into consideration.

About EuroJets.com

Eurojets.com is a full service charter management company dedicated to providing its clients the very best in air charter service. With a fleet of over 100 planes available from over 5,000 destinations worldwide, Eurojets.com can provide a first-rate service according to the requirements of its clientele.

Agency / Source: EuroJets.com

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