The novel coronavirus that caused the 2021 pandemic may have put many industries on a halt, but it is not enough to stop private jets. Surprisingly, the private aviation industry was booming during the year when traveling was a bad idea.
A Short Recap of What Happened
When a person says 2021, what comes to mind first are the pandemic, coronavirus, quarantine, and lockdowns. It affected most industries, most specifically travel and aviation.
Early in the year, commercial flights across Asia were canceled. It happened in fear of spreading the virus that originated in Wuhan, China to the rest of the world. By March, the whole industry had gone down. Of course, this negatively affected private aviation, which was seeing continued growth since the recession in 2018. Fortunately, this ended when May arrived. When lockdowns across the US ended, wealthy flyers eager to travel came looking for aircraft. This event fueled the recovery of private aviation.
On top of that, even if airports were closed, aircraft manufacturers did not stop producing the latest and trendiest private aircraft. So when their wealthy consumers came looking for jets, they were able to provide.
Here are some of the noteworthy events that happened to the industry in 2021.
Jet Deliveries
Bombardier Global 7500
The world’s largest and longest-range business jet is nothing but an aircraft that is to be desired. With its 7,700 nautical mile range, top speed of Mach 0.925, and exceptional short-field performance, it is unrivaled by any competitor. On top of that, the experience it can provide to its passengers is the epitome of luxurious travel. It houses four living spaces, an available Master Suite and full-size bed, a dedicated crew suite, and a kitchen. Owners can even opt for a shower.
Needless to say, this beast of a jet costs a fortune. There is even a business firm that is tasked to sell a brand new model worth $70 Million.
The charter operator, Vista Jet’s acquisition of the Bombardier Global 7500, one of the rarest private jets currently flying, will undoubtedly take their business to new heights.
Bombardier Global 5500 and Learjet 75 Liberty
Bombardier is not defined by a sole aircraft. So, even if the Global 7500 was a huge success, the manufacturer did not ignore the rest of their models.
They made improvements to the Bombardier 5000 and Learjet 75. The former led to Bombardier 5500 which was delivered in June. While the latter gave birth to Learjet 75 Liberty, sold to a customer in October.
Flexjet Gets Its First Embraer Praetor 600
Phenom 600 is Brazillian manufacturer Embraer’s latest executive aircraft. Embraer calls it the world’s most disruptive and technologically advanced super-midsize business jet. Phenom 600 can travel nonstop from Paris to New York. Also, it can access Europe’s most challenging airports.
Flexjet took delivery of one Preator 600 for its European division as part of a $1.4 billion order. The addition of this new aircraft to Flexjet will improve their business.
New Jets
Introduction of the Airbus Corporate Jet “TwoTwenty”
Airbus 220 had controversy surrounding it. Boeing kept on trying to keep the aircraft out of the US. It seems the manufacturer does not intend to give up on it as they unveiled a private jet counterpart of the said aircraft.
The TwoTwenty is designed to please private flyers that were seeking larger aircraft. Aside from its size, the luxurious interior is also hard to ignore. It was designed by the private jet operator and aircraft interior completion firm, Comlux.
TwoTwenty’s biggest selling point, however, is the cost savings that come with an aircraft as big as it is. Compared to previous-generation airliners, the fuel consumption of TwoTwenty is reduced by 25%. This wonder is made possible by new engines and aerodynamic features.
Creating this aircraft was a high-risk high-reward situation. Fortunately, Airbus won the gamble. There are already six orders placed for the TwoTwenty – two of which came from Comlux.
Dassault Aviation Unveiled Falcon 6x
Falcon 6x Private Jet is the newest addition to a family of aircraft that has been flying in the skies since the early jet age. It is billed as an “ultra widebody” since it is wider than most aircraft from its class. The twin-engine jet can fly up to 5,500 nautical miles, enabling city pairs like Los Angeles-Moscow, New York-Tel Aviv, and London-Hong Kong.
Aside from that, the $47 million has other cool features that make it worth the money. Falcon 6x has oversized windows, a skylight, and a heads-up display in the cockpit that can see through the clouds.
Dassault expects to make deliveries in2022.
Otto Aviation Introduced the Celera 500L
Startup company Otto Aviation made a stir when they unveiled the Celera 500L. A product of innovation, this aircraft is capable of flying 500 nautical miles at speeds of 450 miles per hour. However, unlike other aircraft, it flies with costs lower than even the smallest private jet.
The concept behind this jet is the company is looking for ways to make private aviation more affordable and environmentally friendly. The Celera 500L is scheduled for certification in 2023.
Private Aviation’s Response to Covid
Aside from making preparations for when the pandemic ends, the industry also made efforts to thrive while covid-19 is still a thing. For instance, Aircraft operators are adopting health measures like frequent disinfection, to ensure the safety of flyers. Moreover, some companies like Comlux introduced jets that include ionization systems that they claim can kill the coronavirus.
In addition to that, private aviation’s most commendable contribution in the fight against covid is helping with the transport of personal protective equipment from China.
Who Is Behind This Success?
Leisure travelers are the ones responsible for the recovery of private aviation in 2021. Before covid-19, private travel was mostly used for business matters. However, due to the pandemic, they got stuck in their own homes. Even when lockdowns have been lifted, most businesses stayed in a work-from-home setup to prevent employees from contracting the virus.
Luckily, leisure travelers exist and they need a safe way to fly. They used private aircraft for a variety of reasons. Some used them for vacation and some used them to escape lockdown in the UK. There are even instances where private aircraft are used to go home for election.
These events highlight that private aviation is more than a way to fly in style. Here is hoping that the success and growth of the industry continues. Who knows, with the recent advancements and innovations, maybe someday, private aviation will not be exclusive to the upper echelons of society anymore.
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