Today we’d like to introduce you to Javier Diaz.
Javier, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I founded Wings Air in 2002 after working in investment banking for years. There are many pilots in my family and I was already a licensed pilot myself, on both fixed wing aircraft and helicopters. First, I bought a small helicopter for flight training and hired an instructor to give lessons in it. Within a few years I realized that the demand for air charter in the New York area is very high so I expanded the fleet and applied for the FAA Air Carrier Certificate (received in 2005).
After the 2008 recession the demand dropped so I had to reinvent the company and that’s when we moved into aerial film production. Wings Air has worked on many big budget movies (latest: Fast 8, Transformers), commercials and documentaries, providing helicopters and aerial camera system.
Today Wings Air remains a premier helicopter charter and tour operator, experience provider and flight school. We continue expanding our services into medical transport and other ventures as well.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Not smooth but even the difficult days offer valuable lessons and allow the company to evolve.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Helicopter charter in the Northeast region is extremely competitive – operators fly the same aircraft at nearly the same prices. A few years back we started developing luxury travel experiences with luxury hotel partners and service providers, to stand out from the competition. These include a racecar driving experience with trackside helicopter transport at the Monticello Motor Club, Hamptons Beach Picnic and fly-fishing in Vermont.
As a result, we recently became the first helicopter company ever named Virtuoso Preferred Partner. We have also won several Certificates of Excellence by TripAdvisor and other business awards.
What were you like growing up?
Always had aviation my blood.
Pricing:
- Private helicopter charters between New York and Boston start at $3,800 and take only 90 minutes.
Contact Info:
- Address: 53 Miry Brook Road, Danbury, CT 06810
- Website: wingsair.net
- Phone: 866-445-5434
- Email: info@wingsairhelicopters.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/wingsairheli
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/WingsAirHelicopterCharterNYC
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/wingsairheli
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/wings-air-helicopters-west-harrison
- Other: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g48883-d3439307-Reviews-Wings_Air_Helicopters-White_Plains_New_York.html
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