While commercial airlines have grounded most of their aircraft due to the pandemic, private jets boomed and zoomed around. It was unexpected, but it was very welcome for the private sector of the aviation industry.
Overview
The year 2020 has brought us the covid-19 pandemic with the travel bans and lockdowns that come with it. They put an enormous dent in the industry of commercial aviation. There was even a time when almost all of the flights across Asia were canceled. Customers asked for refunds, and for a period, they were barely earning anything. With a potentially deadly and highly infectious virus going around, people did not see it as a time fit for travel.
Commercial airlines went back into business now that travel bans have been lifted. However, the industry is still struggling as potential passengers saw a better way to travel.
Charter plane services or the rental of private aircraft became popular during the pandemic, not only for the rich but also for the middle class. Through private jet travel, people were able to go to any destination with less hassle. Furthermore, private flights reduce the possibility of them contracting the virus. This is because there are fewer people involved than in commercial airlines. There is only a small number of people waiting at the airport for their aircraft. This means there is no line you would need to queue in. Also, each aircraft is reserved for one person, family, or group. Since you will not be in a crowd, like in a commercial flight, there is less chance of you getting the disease.
“In private terminals, they might have 30 passengers the whole day. Then your family is the only ones in the cabin. Private flying is naturally socially distanced,” said Giles Vickers-Jones, founder of Shy Aviation.
Private aviation has let people go on vacations and go home even when covid-19 is still a threat. That is why they were popular among travelers. Private jets companies are now hoping that this is not temporary fame. They are wishing that the comfort and convenience private flights provide will keep people coming back to their service.
This event matters so much to the industry. Typically, only wealthy businessmen and celebrities take private jet flights. Since they are paying handsomely for each flight, they were able to keep the industry of private jets going. But like this, business is just stable. It remains flat and quite stagnant. Businesses stay alive, but it is not going anywhere further.
Now, normal people are also boarding private jets. This allows for so much growth and development for private aviation. It is like a new market has opened for them, and they are looking to take advantage of that.
Plans And Developments For The Private Aviation Industry
Recent happenings have caused excitement in the industry. from private jet manufacturers to charter operators, to investors like Bill Gates, all eyes were on the future of private aviation.
Here are some of the leading news in the industry:
Wheels Up
Wheels Up, a private jet charter company that allows members to book short-and-medium range private charter flights at an all-inclusive hourly rate, is going public. Presently, they primarily serve members in the United States. But with their merging with Aspirational, people from overseas will be able to get a membership.
Vista Global is Acquiring Apollo Jets
Apollo Jets is a leading air charter provider. When the deal is closed, Apollo Jets will be added to Vista Global’s digital brand XO. According to Dubai-based Vista, this will help in accelerating membership sales and subscriptions for XO.
Aero Technologies Raised $20 Million For Funding
Aero Technologies is a luxury jet startup for “semi-private” jets made by Uber co-founder Garrett Camp. It is currently offering one-way flights from Los Angeles to Aspen for $1,250 and is planning to add more routes in the future. They were able to raise $20 Million on their Series A funding. This will greatly help with the startup’s growth.
Otto Aviation Introduces Celera 500L
Otto Aviation, a startup, introduced a revolutionary aircraft concept with its Celera 500L. The idea behind the oval-shaped private jet is to create an aircraft that is both affordable and environmentally friendly. With the amount of carbon footprint coming from aviation, this is huge for the industry.
Cryptocurrency Can Now Be Used For Jet Purchases
A $40 million Gulfstream G650ER was bought using bitcoins. AvaTrade has decided to accept bitcoins for payment to allow buyers from overseas to make purchases without being subject to restrictions.
Supersonic Jets to Be Built Soon on Melbourne, Florida
Aerion is planning to create a business jet that can fly at speeds of Mach 1.4. The aircraft will be built on its campus in Melbourne, Austria. This is part of the race to build a modern-age supersonic jet. Aerion CEO Tom Vice said that the first model will be seen flying in five years.
What to Watch For?
As can be seen from the details above, there is quite a lot happening in private aviation right now. These things are expected to help the industry keep the momentum it sees today. Private aviation firms are hoping to keep people hooked to the industry with their developments and innovations. That is why jet manufacturers continued with the production of new jet models even when the pandemic is still ongoing. Big charter operators took deliveries of some of the best private jets available. New startups keep on popping up to introduce new concepts and ideas to the table.
With all of these activities going on, we can expect innovations in the private aviation industry to continue developments. If progress continues to stay at this fast pace, it will not be surprising if the world gets a mobile app that lets you book a private jet as fast as you can hail an Uber.
Critics are saying that the hype on private jets will be short-lived and will die as soon as the pandemic ends, but people in the industry are doing their best to prove them wrong.
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