NetJets Could Bring Up to 2,000 Jobs to RDU, N.C. Sources Say
By Rick Smith, Editor WRAL Local Tech Wire
Posted: Jan. 3, 2008
Updated: Jan. 4 3:03 p.m.
Raleigh — As many as 2,000 jobs and a new jet aircraft facility could be coming to Raleigh-Durham International Airport, WRAL News has learned.
In the first confirmation by Triangle officials, WRAL News has been told that NetJets, an international private jet operation run by a Warren Buffett company, is considering whether to relocate its operational headquarters to RDU. The center, which includes an 850,000 square foot aircraft facility, currently is based in Columbus, Ohio.
“The whole thing†could be coming to RDU, one source told WRAL News.
Another official confirmed the negotiations and possible relocation.
RDU officials remained quiet about the matter.
“We don’t have any comment,†said RDU spokesperson Mindy Hamlin.
RDU maintains two major runways. A third runway is dedicated for general aviation or private aircraft.
A decision is not expected immediately. One source said Thursday that NetJets recently pushed back an announcement about the project to March from January.
State, local and RDU officials have put together a package of economic and tax incentives designed to land the NetJets project. Land has been designated at RDU for where a NetJets center would be built, a source said.
“RDU would be the base for operations as well as some of their rental aircraft,†the source said. “There would be a lot of people involved.â€
While many people would be transferred from Columbus, 1,000 or more local people would need to be hired, according to the source. Jobs would include pilots, ground crew and maintenance personnel.
One appeal of the Triangle to NetJets is the availability of workforce candidates from the region’s universities. Another is the region’s quality of life and cost of living.
“It’s a lot cheaper to locate here than someplace like San Jose,†the source said.
News first broke in November that NetJets was considering either expanding its Columbus operation or relocating it to another airport. According to a source close to NetJets and to media reports in Columbus and Florida, NetJets has eliminated Orlando and other sites as possible locations.
While NetJets has confirmed it is considering an expansion, the airline has declined to comment about specifics. Its corporate headquarters are located in New Jersey.
North Carolina economic development officials and RDU have consistently refused any comment about the NetJets project. “We’ve all agreed to stay mum about this,†one executive said Thursday.
It’s standard policy for N.C. officials to decline comment about possible economic projects. RDU has also stayed silent on the matter.
NetJets is operated by Berkshire Hathaway, a company that is part of the Buffett empire. Buffett was ranked as the world’s second richest man – just behind Microsoft’s Bill Gates – in 2007 by Forbes magazine. Buffett, who routinely flies about the private corporate jets of the NetJets fleet, has a net worth of more than $50 billion.
The company sells fractional ownership in a growing fleet of small jets and caters to business executives as well as Hollywood stars and jet-setters. It provides service across North America, Europe and the Middle East. NetJets also is considering offering service to China.
The airline works often on an on-demand basis, delivering jets for specific flights on a few hours notice.
Should RDU land NetJets, one source said the deal would be bigger than RDU’s landing of the American Airlines hub in 1987. American shut down much of its RDU operation in 1994, and the terminal built to accommodate the airline is being totally replaced by a new structure.
A new terminal, called Terminal 2, will be completed late summer this year with a cost of $570 million.
The number of daily departures from RDU is 245, including 45 cities that have non-stop service from RDU. Nine airlines and 18 regional carriers operate out of RDU.
NetJets operates a fleet of 722 aircraft and touts itself in terms of planes “equal in size to that of the world’s second airline.†American Airlines and its affiliates operate more than 1,000 aircraft. FedEx has 669 planes.
The NetJets fleet makes more than 370,000 flights annually, offering 15 different aircraft. Its planes fly to more than 150 countries. The airline also has placed more than $1 billion in new aircraft orders.
Just kidding 
