Claire Aston and Jason Edgeworth man the broker desk

Returnjet licenses search portal to select brokers

UK online broking platform Returnjet is planning to white label BrokerPlus, its client facing software, and offer it to selected established brokers to rebrand as their own.

The charter search engine will be exclusively licensed and white labelled to one broker in each territory. These select brokers will gain instant access to the latest technology, while generating new business referrals online via desktop and mobile apps.

Returnjet has invested more than $6 million in the last three years developing its software platform, providing instant guideline pricing and availability for brokers. In this time it has also directly contracted over 3,800 charter aircraft from more than 65 countries to its software, as well as having a direct connection to other charter aircraft globally. More recently, over 700 brokers have signed up to its BrokerReturn service, which the company claims is being widely seen as a growing rival to Avinode's market domination.

Ceo Mark Blanchfield says: “With the traditional methods of winning and managing broker business being disrupted by online broker portals such as PrivateFly, Stratajet, Fly Victor and others, Returnjet believes its BrokerPlus software can provide established brokers the online client facing technology they need to keep at the forefront of their business.”

Put simply, online visitors to the broker site can search for any flight and get instant aircraft availability and estimated prices based on operator pricing. The system sends any quote requested directly to the operator, and the operator's response is then automatically sent to the broker. The broker can amend the price and quote the client directly on the flight. The broker then contacts both client and operator and finalises the negotiations.

ReturnJet says its white labelling means that there is no development capital outlay or risk for the broker, who will benefit from the continual development in technology and data. The system is instantly available and is a proven gateway to generate new business online. It connects brokers to more than 720 contracted operators and gives direct access to every other Part 135/AOC operator across the world, thus giving a unique selling point over competitors across the territory. The system has centrally supported software and data with reduced administration time, and shows live feeds and latest empty legs from operators across the world.

Blanchfield explains: “Clients still want a broker, people with local knowledge and experience. Our software is more advanced than any system used by any online broker. It is not just a wallpaper search – it searches availability in real-time and connects and returns quotes directly from operators in minutes.

“We believe brokers and operators should be working together to exploit technology to enhance their future, and we will be providing the facility to make this happen. BrokerPlus complements our BrokerReturn service. Our business focus is to continue to grow the technology and operator network we now have to give brokers and operators a future-proofed competitive edge.”