Corporates are increasingly turning to private jets during the
pandemic, according to global broker VistaJet.
The company said there had been a 49 per cent increase in corporate
interest since the crisis began. The largest proportion of this new appetite
comes from the US and the technology sector is driving these new bookings, it said.
Over the past six months, the company said its most popular routes
have been between the UK and France, the UK and Italy and the
US and China.
The company has launched a new Dynamic Corporate
Membership offer which offers sign-up in one day, the ability to pay in arrears,
unlimited flying hours and guaranteed availability of additional aircraft. The
broker will also assign a dedicated cabin host to a company to reduce risk of spreading Covid.
Ian
Moore, VistaJet’s chief commercial officer, said: “The impact that Covid-19
is having on the availability of commercial flights is clear to see and
business aviation is taking up the urgent demand to connect globally. With the
Dynamic Corporate Membership, we want to offer companies maximum flexibility
with minimum commitment, as we recognise the need for safer and more reliable
solutions as companies look to build back their business for the future.”
BTN Europe editor Andy Hoskins wrote here about how the private jet industry is confident of winning new business as corporates seek alternative ways of getting back on the road.
Other brokers are also recognising the uptick in demand. This
week, Eclipse Air Charter has opened
a new international headquarters in Mayfair, London. The company offers private
charter on a pay-as-you-go basis with no long-term commitment, initial outlay,
membership fee or management charges.
The company launched in Toronto in 2016 and expanded to New York in
2018.
Eclipse Air
Charter's founder and managing director Yasmin Alam (top right) said: “Many of
the private jet companies that have come onto the market over the course of the
last few years are app-based — but we're finding that our clients prefer the
more personal touch, the more human interaction, especially in uncertain times
when travel regulations and entry requirements to countries are constantly changing."
"Many people who were on the fence about
chartering before the Covid-19 pandemic struck are now actually booking private
travel," said Lily Karapetyan, Eclipse’s director of charter sales (top
left).
Eclipse
says it plans to expand into Europe and beyond in the near future.