PJ-Mag Spring Summer 2024 full v7 - Flipbook - Page 15
Q & A : G R E TA D R A G O T TA
S/S 2024
Q&A
BEHIND TH E SCE N E S W I T H
AIR PARTNER’S G R E TA D R AG OT TA
ZAKYN THOS
With impressive experience, a
wealth of industry relationships,
and an unwavering commitment to
providing extraordinary customer
service, in January 2024, Greta
Dragotta was charged with
managing Air Partner’s private jet
o昀昀ering in Italy. An absolute expert
in her 昀椀eld, Greta is already o昀昀 to a
昀氀ying start. We got together to chat
about her love for all things aviation,
emerging trends in the industry, and
how she ensures a seamless service
time and time again.
Tell us about your role at Air Partner.
As Private Jet Manager for Italy, I look after
the needs of our existing clients, build and
maintain strong relationships with operators
and industry partners, and expand our
ever-growing portfolio and client base in
the region. The role is incredibly dynamic,
so I’m loving it. As a business, our goal is
always to provide top-notch service and
or at short notice, so it allows us to always
ensure that every aspect of our clients’
be ten steps ahead and mitigate any
experience exceeds their expectations. From
potential issues before they arise. There is
the feedback so far, I feel we are already
a huge amount of work going on behind the
achieving that and can only build on this
scenes that, because we do our job well, the
great start.
customer will never know about!
What is your background in the industry?
Do you value building relationships?
My journey in aviation actually began at
Absolutely. Relationships are very important
Air Partner back in 2017. I was here for
from both a client and an operator
two years before joining a small private jet
perspective, and it is one of the things that
brokerage that also owned some aircraft, as
really sets us apart in the industry. Having
I was keen to gain experience developing
strong operator relationships ensures our
a team from scratch as well as 昀椀rst-hand
clients can bene昀椀t from increased 昀氀exibility,
knowledge of the operator side of the
better prices, and better cancellation
industry. While the start-up experience was
policies. It also makes it possible for us
invaluable, I returned to Air Partner to further
to secure the ideal aircraft whenever it
my career as part of a globally respected
is needed. For example, I recently had to
organisation with a worldwide presence.
昀氀y a client to Zurich at very short notice
I’m thrilled to be back and am looking
and managed to not only access the right
forward to growing the Italian team.
aircraft but have them in the air in under 1
companions are, no matter how big, small,
and beautiful islands. I’d choose somewhere
hour – this wouldn’t be possible without the
or furry they may be. On our 昀氀ights, pets
I haven’t explored before, so perhaps a bit of
relationships we build.
can freely roam the cabin, enjoy custom
island hopping to visit Milos and Zakynthos.
menus, and receive lots of attention from
My dream jet would be the Lineage 1000 so I
What 昀椀rst attracted you to working
in aviation?
Navagio beach, known as
‘Shipwreck Bay’, Zakynthos.
I’ve always been passionate about travel and
From a customer perspective, our strong
our experienced crew, which many of our
can travel with friends and family, but I’d take
exploration, so I knew I wanted to work in this
industry reputation helps us to build
customers really appreciate.
a Citation XLS for a smaller group.
sector, but I just wasn’t sure which part of it.
trust. But our personal relationships, 24/7
When I 昀椀rst entered the private jet industry,
availability, and seamless service delivery,
Do you get many bespoke requests?
I instantly fell in love. It’s challenging,
even in high-pressure situations, are what
I love special requests and bringing people’s
fast-paced, and every day is di昀昀erent, which
really cements it. I also think that little
ideas to life. My favourite was when we
I enjoy. Interacting with UHNW and VIP
touches go a long way – from remembering
decorated the jet for our client’s honeymoon
clients is also a rewarding experience, and
what newspaper a client likes to their
昀氀ight from Milan to Zanzibar. We lined the
their appreciation for the service we provide
dietary preferences and preferred plane
approach to the aircraft and the stairs with
makes it even more ful昀椀lling.
con昀椀guration.
candles and had their wedding 昀氀owers and
We hope you’ve enjoyed getting to know
Greta. If you’d like to 昀椀nd out more about
our Private Jet o昀昀ering in Italy, please get in
touch with us at privatejets@airpartner.com
cake inside, as well as both their country
How do you ensure a seamless service
for your clients?
Have you seen any emerging trends in
the industry?
I think an area where we really excel is in
A trend I love is the increase in clients 昀氀ying
make their trip even more memorable.
with their pets. Private 昀氀ights don’t just give
goes into getting a customer from A to B,
you 昀氀exibility and control over your itinerary,
Where would your dream private jet
destination be?
especially during periods of high demand
but they let you determine who your travel
De昀椀nitely Greece! I love the food, culture,
the level and detail of our planning. A lot
Greta Dragotta: Manager,
Private Jets, Italy.
昀氀ags. They were blown away, and it helped to
15
Lineage 1000 private jet.
