New Air Taxi Revolution Takes Off as Nick Roberti Joins NectAir to Transform Regional Travel:Travel & Air Innovation 2026

In Toronto, Canada — an exciting development in air travel innovation has taken shape with travel industry veteran Nick Roberti joining the Toronto‑based air taxi startup NectAir as head of business development and sales, signalling a bold new chapter in regional, flexible flight services for Ontario, Quebec and northern U.S. destinations. The move represents a rare crossover between luxury travel expertise and aviation technology, aiming to reshape how travellers — from business executives to leisure tourists — think about short‑haul flights.

Air Taxi Startup NectAir: A New Travel Option Between Cities

Founded with the mission of offering tech‑enabled, flexible point‑to‑point air travel, NectAir is positioning itself as a modern alternative to traditional commercial flights. The company’s network includes more than 1,000 regional and executive airports, allowing travellers to access smaller facilities rather than major international hubs.

By focusing on turboprop aircraft — including the Piper M700 Fury, designed for short runways — NectAir enables flights between destinations that are often underserved by larger airlines. The concept allows customers to choose their own schedule rather than adapt to fixed flight times, reducing congestion, long security waits and extensive ground travel.

Nick Roberti’s Transition from Luxury Travel to Air Tech

Nick Roberti is a well‑known name in the travel industry, having spent more than a decade working with top travel brands such as Virtuoso, G Touring, The Travel Corporation and Collette. In his most recent role as director of global partnerships at Virtuoso for Canada and the U.S., he built deep relationships across luxury hotels and travel consortia. His transition to NectAir reflects both a personal and professional shift toward the innovation side of travel, bringing his expertise in partnership building and sales strategy to a rapidly evolving aviation segment.

Roberti described the opportunity with NectAir as “the next disruption in air”, emphasising that the service aims to make travel more flexible and more sustainable. His responsibilities include expanding partnerships with travel advisors, helping them offer NectAir’s customizable flights — either at net rates or with commission structures built in for agents.

Regional Air Mobility: Flexible Flights Beyond Big Cities

NectAir’s strategy focuses on connecting smaller communities and airports that traditional carriers typically overlook. For example, flights can depart from places such as Kitchener and Collingwood and arrive in cultural hubs like Montreal or smaller leisure destinations such as Niagara‑on‑the‑Lake or Muskoka. This network extends beyond Canada into U.S. border regions including Detroit, Buffalo, Cleveland, Pittsburgh and parts of New England.

By using aircraft capable of operating from short airstrips, NectAir removes the reliance on major airports and the travel hassles that often come with them — including long lines, heavy traffic and extended security checks. Travellers can arrive just 10 minutes before departure and reach their destination more directly, a huge advantage for busy professionals and time‑focused travellers.

Time Efficiency and Convenience at the Core

A central theme in NectAir’s pitch is that “time is valued more than ever.” Roberti explained that clients can undertake same‑day business trips that would be impractical with standard flight schedules. Because the aircraft operate on a flight‑on‑demand model, travellers can depart from their hometowns, complete their mission and return on the same day, often with the aircraft waiting on the ground for them.

Although NectAir’s planes are smaller and carry fewer passengers than a commercial jet, they offer a cost‑effective alternative to private jets, with prices that are competitive when total travel time and convenience are factored in. For instance, a flight from Toronto to New York on NectAir might start around $6,500 for up to four passengers — a premium travel experience that is still more affordable than chartering a private jet, especially considering savings on airport time and connections.

Corporate and Leisure Market Opportunities

While corporate travellers — particularly executives needing efficient regional connections — make up a significant portion of demand, NectAir is also positioning itself to attract leisure travellers with disposable income who value convenience, speed and comfort. The ability to access private or smaller airports near resort areas or regional attractions opens up recreational travel markets beyond business use.

NectAir’s service also appeals to clients with specific travel needs, such as pet owners who prefer to travel with their animals in the cabin rather than in cargo holds. This kind of customer‑centric flexibility reinforces the startup’s emphasis on user experience and convenience.

Urban Air Mobility and Future Electric Flight Goals

Looking beyond turboprop operations, NectAir is already positioning itself to tap into the electrification of air travel, including technologies such as electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. These next‑generation vehicles are being developed to support urban air mobility networks — for example, in major metropolitan areas such as Los Angeles and Miami — and could eventually revolutionise inner‑city and regional air movement in Canada too.

While electric air taxis are still emerging, NectAir’s leadership clearly sees them as part of a longer‑term strategy to further reduce environmental impact, lower operational costs and expand its footprint. Roberti emphasised that air travel represents one of the last major segments of transportation not yet fully disrupted by technology, signaling potential for rapid evolution ahead.

Personal Perspectives: Career and Family Balance

For Roberti, the NectAir role also holds personal significance. After years on the global travel circuit, he stepped away from a lifestyle of constant travel to focus on family, including recently becoming a father. His LinkedIn announcement reflected gratitude for his time in luxury travel and excitement about transitioning into aviation, reinforced by his longstanding passion for airplanes and innovation.

What This Means for the Future of Travel

The combination of aviation expertise and travel industry relationships positions NectAir to be more than just a boutique air taxi service. It could become a model for future air mobility solutions that emphasise time, efficiency, regional connectivity and sustainability. As travel patterns continue to evolve post‑pandemic, demand for flexible regional flights is increasing, particularly in markets where ground travel is slow or commercial aviation options are limited.

By leveraging Roberti’s industry connections and travel advisor partnerships, NectAir is poised to accelerate adoption among both corporate clients and affluent leisure travellers, while also exploring emerging technologies like eVTOL aircraft to stay ahead of the innovation curve.

Conclusion: A New Era for Regional Flight Travel

NectAir’s recruitment of Nick Roberti marks a significant milestone for travel and aviation convergence in 2026. The startup’s air taxi model — designed around flexibility, speed and personalised service — responds to changing traveller expectations and could influence how regional flights are marketed and sold across North America. With a growing focus on time efficiency and customer‑centric routes, NectAir represents a promising new option in the future of air travel.

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