This Job Makes Astronomical Money if Successful... 'Airplane Seizure' Rivaling Spy Operations [New Jobs]

If There Is a Need to Seize a Jet
'Airplane Recovery Expert' Team Steps In

Editor's NoteWith super-aging and ultra-low birth rates, along with the advent of the artificial intelligence (AI) era, new changes are occurring in the world of occupations. We introduce the world of new jobs that open paths for new challenges in working life or a second act in life.

Aircraft are broadly divided into three types. The large passenger planes commonly seen at airports when we travel abroad, cargo planes responsible for air freight transport, and much smaller private jets designed for more comfortable personal flights. In particular, private jets are often high-end aircraft owned by individuals such as billionaires.

A representative example of a high-end private jet, the Gulfstream G650ER. The photo is an example image unrelated to specific expressions in the article. [Image source=Gulfstream official website]

These private jets are not just simple means of transportation. Sometimes, they are treated as high-value assets. This is because a significant amount of money can be recovered simply by selling them on the used market. For this reason, private jets often become targets of judicial authorities in various countries seeking to seize the assets of billionaires who have committed crimes. "Aircraft recovery specialists" are experts who seize airplanes on behalf of public authorities.

Seizing Hidden Aircraft at Airports Worldwide

Agents of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection entering the seizure procedure for a private jet attempting to flee. [Image source=Captured from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection official website]

Aircraft recovery specialists are a rare profession not only domestically but also internationally. However, situations requiring the forced "seizure" of aircraft reportedly occur more frequently than expected. Courts may order the seizure of aircraft to recover part of the illegally obtained funds from offenders, and aircraft leasing companies may need to reclaim chartered planes. Because of this, most recovery specialists are known to work closely with judicial authorities and airlines in various countries.

However, recovering assets from wealthy individuals who own high-value assets worldwide is incredibly complex. This is especially true for those who keep ultra-luxury yachts and VIP private jets at ports and airports around the world. Each country (or state, in the case of the United States) has different laws governing the ownership and recovery of assets such as aircraft, and since aircraft are very fast means of transportation, seizing them is even more difficult.

Therefore, aircraft recovery specialists operate in "teams." According to "The Sheriffs Office," a company that provides actual aircraft recovery legal services, these teams consist of criminal and civil law experts, air traffic control specialists who can analyze aircraft movement routes, technicians who can remove engines from aircraft if necessary, and others. Each member applies their expertise to carry out the complex recovery operations. The work of seizing chartered planes near borders on behalf of public authorities is said to resemble scenes from spy movies.

High-Value Jets Worth Hundreds of Millions Per Unit, Compensation Also Enormous

Continental countries with vast territories like the United States and Canada have long developed private jet businesses, and courts frequently issue aircraft seizure warrants. Although Korea has a relatively short history in the private jet business, it is known to be rapidly growing, especially among the business community.

Since aircraft are high-value assets, the amount earned by recovery specialist teams per case is also enormous. Typically, recovery teams receive a portion of the profits obtained from selling the aircraft as compensation.

The unit price of personal jet aircraft from manufacturers such as Cessna, Bombardier, Gulfstream, and Dassault ranges from 5 million to 50 million dollars, with some approaching 100 million dollars. Even if they receive only a few percent of the recovery amount as compensation, it amounts to an astronomical sum.