Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.

Managing Editor

Charles Alcock

Robert Plhak, founder and CEO of charter flight marketplace VOO, is not the first software entrepreneur seeking to coax the private aviation industry in overcoming its apparent resistance to tapping the full power of digitization. However, his own background sets him apart in that he spent the better part of the past two decades working either for aircraft charter operators or charter brokers, which is why he feels sure he can see all the dots that need joining up to make the process better.
Almost no one in the sector denies that it takes far too long to book charter flights, with operators commonly complaining that their teams are drowning in quote requests from brokers and struggling to assess all the variables needed to generate accurate and profitable pricing. While several existing software providers and online marketplaces are already seeking to close this gap, Austria-based VOO is convinced that a lot more progress could be made and that a combination of cultural issues is blocking acceptance of breakthrough technology.
“The biggest problem with prices in business aviation is that there is so little transparency, and some of this is deliberate in that some don’t want transparency,” Plhak told AIN. “There is still not enough digitization, and everything comes down to human factors with Excel spreadsheets still being used for price calculations and scheduling crews.”
VOO’s mission is to bridge the data gap between operators and brokers, securely exchanging information between flight operations systems and brokers' customer relationship management systems. “We’ve created a booking platform, but the bigger picture is that we have become a data distribution system,” Plhak said.
The company works closely with flight operations software providers including FL3XX, RediFly, Leon Software, and Skylegs. Plhak said he views this week at NBAA-BACE as a prime opportunity to connect with U.S. brokers and charter operators, who he feels are more open to trying new technology.
According to Plhak, operators are wasting hours dealing with quote requests because the information they need covers aircraft and crew availability, airport slots, and the multitude of logistical considerations affecting each and every potential flight. At the same time, brokers often don’t have an efficient way to convey all aspects of their customers’ needs to potential service providers, which can result in glitches in how the service is provided and inaccurate pricing that either deters bookings or results in operators’ margins being excessively squeezed.
<h2>Automation Doesn't Mean Loss of Control</h2>
VOO’s modus operandi is to ensure that the entire data exchange process can be handled automatically by integrating the flight-booking platform with any or all of the software used by brokers and operators. Plhak stressed that automation doesn’t mean operators can’t “react to the market” by tweaking the database to take account of seasonal demand and other factors shaping their appetite and ability to take some flight bookings.
For instance, they may simply not want to deal with certain brokers or charter customers. Or they may want to quickly adjust desired margins on flights to maximize fleet utilization, taking account of factors such as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2024-09-17/voo-makes-empty-legs-visible-charter-booking-platform">empty leg repositioning flights</a> that VOO has sought to make more visible to all concerned.
Included in the data that can be shared and crunched in the VOO platform is real-time information about the maintenance status of aircraft and their engines. This can automate decisions such as when the most efficient window could be to withdraw an aircraft from charter availability to complete the necessary work with as little disruption as possible.
VOO also seeks to incorporate more data from brokers, such as full details on the composition of groups traveling and any factors that might impact how a trip goes. A group of five traveling for a quick turnaround business trip is going to have different needs and priorities than a family group, and then there are considerations such as possible visa, diet, and disability needs.
Around 500 brokers and operators have signed up for the platform since the company launched it at EBACE 2022. However, Plhak acknowledged that, for now, many are only listing limited numbers of aircraft, apparently to conduct limited trials of how it could impact their operations. While continuing to expand its customer base beyond Europe, VOO is urging clients to maximize their use of the technology to get a more complete view of how it can achieve the company’s objective of making private charter bookings as streamlined as airline flight bookings.
Now the VOO developers are working to expand the platform’s ability to be more predictive in assessing responses to quote requests, and this will likely involve increased use of artificial intelligence. Through its Tech Brokers project, the company can integrate the system with the backend of applications used by brokers so that their clients can have some visibility of the process.
At EBACE 2024 in May, VOO launched an instant booking option, allowing brokers to click a direct booking request to generate a contract without the operator having to reconfirm anything. Austria-based charter group <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2024-05-29/voo-launches-instant-booking-capability">GlobeAir signed up</a> to be the launch customer for this feature.
“Education has been the biggest part of my job, and I didn’t expect that,” Plhak concluded, who expends much of his energy encouraging his former charter operator and broker colleagues to embrace the power of digitization. He previously held management positions with charter companies Skyline Aviation, Jet Travel, Avcon Jet, and JetAlliance, among others.

News and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

Air Charter Flight Booking Platform VOO Closes Broker/operator Data Gap

Former charter flight executive says industry needs to abandon its fear of data transparency

Private charter flight marketplace VOO is seeking to bring automation and transparency to a sector it says is stifled by a refusal to embrace digitization.

Air Charter Platform Closes Broker/operator Data Gap

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Joby, Lilium, and Electra are all making their case at NBAA-BACE 2024

eVTOLs and eSTOLs Could Reshape Private Aviation

Sarah Rose

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

The Falcon is the first factory new bizjet delivered in Romania

Dokia Air Adds Dassault Falcon 2000LXS

Kerry Lynch

Charter broker standards was key issue at ACA inaugural roundtable in U.S.

ACA Highlights Need for U.S. Charter Broker Standards

News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

Charter flight operator has launched a partnership with its parent company, Qatar Airways

Qatar Executive Offers Airline Loyalty Program Benefits

Hanneke Weitering

Booking platform includes 3,300 operators and 15,000 aircraft

Avitor Enhances AI-powered Private Jet Marketplace

Conference will take post-election look at regulations, taxes

Post-election Session Kicks Off CJI Miami 2024

Latest CJ3+ becomes the 16th of the model in the AirSprint fleet

AirSprint CJ3+ Addition Grows Fleet to Nearly 40

News and developments about everything that goes into the cabin of an aircraft, from floor coverings to headliners, with a special emphasis on in-flight entertainment, communications and other electronics for passengers. If it is in the cabin of an aircraft, it’s covered here.

NBAA-BACE 2024

More In Charter & Fractional