The Only Way Is Up

Private aviation navigates the global health crisis with aplomb.

- Lauren Jade Hill

THE AIRLINE INDUSTRY is, perhaps unsurprisingly, said to be the industry most affected by the pandemic. In February, the International Air Transport Association revealed that demand had fallen by 65.9 per cent in 2020. For private aviation, the outcome has been far more favorable, with data showing that while flight numbers were a little more volatile depending on who you asked, the industry as a whole saw greater recovery over the year as well as a significant rise in new interest.

NetJets revealed that after its flight volume initially dropped to as low as 10 per cent, the company was back to operating at 85 per cent volume, compared with 2019, by the end of the year. What’s perhaps even more significant is the surge of interest this industry has seen from new clientele. VistaJet reported an increase of 29 per cent in new members joining in 2020, with 18 per cent coming from Asia.

Growing Popularity

It’s a no-brainer given that private jets provide a safer way to fly with reduced exposure to health and security risks. According to Airshare, while every commercial flight presents passengers with around 700 touchpoints, private jet travelers are said to only encounter 20.