Planet Nine Private Air enters turboprop market with Pilatus PC-12
Why It MattersLarge-cabin charter operators increasingly pair long-range jets with a lighter turboprop tier to cover regional demand without turning away shorter, lower-yield trips.
What happened
Planet Nine Private Air, based in Van Nuys, has expanded into the turboprop segment with the induction of a newly acquired Pilatus PC-12. The aircraft, built in 2015 and registered N35WH (msn 1546), is configured for up to eight passengers and is now available for charter.
Planet Nine said the turboprop will introduce new and existing clients to the local market with a cost-effective regional option, complementing the company's intercontinental offerings. The company's Part 135-certified active fleet comprises six Global Express jets, three Global Express XRS aircraft, a Global 6000, a GIV-SP, a G550, two G650s, and a G650ER.
Separately, one of Planet Nine's Global Express jets, 2001-built N954JJ (msn 9055), has returned to service following an approximately six-month interior refurbishment and Starlink connectivity installation. Planet Nine's fleet currently features eight Starlink-equipped aircraft, with further installations expected later in 2026.
Industry impact & what to watch
Adding a turboprop alongside a long-range jet fleet is a common way for large-cabin operators to widen their client base without diluting their core positioning. A Pilatus PC-12 configured for up to eight passengers serves shorter regional trips at a lower cost per hour than a Global Express or Gulfstream, letting Planet Nine keep local and short-haul flying in-house rather than referring it elsewhere.
In charter and management, fleet mix decisions like this reflect how operators try to capture the full range of client trip lengths, from regional hops to intercontinental crossings, under one operational umbrella. Pairing the turboprop addition with the return of a refurbished, Starlink-equipped Global Express also signals a parallel push to keep the long-range fleet's cabin technology current.
Whether the PC-12 addition is a one-off or the start of a broader turboprop push will depend on how utilization develops and whether Planet Nine adds further aircraft in this class, as it has already signaled further Starlink installations across its jet fleet later in 2026.
