The private jet use that surged in the coronavirus pandemic is showing no signs of abating, even as passengers return by the millions to commercial airlines and inflation raises the cost of a charter.
Global flights on business aircraft rose by 10 per cent in 2022 from the previous year and were 14 per cent higher than before the pandemic in 2019, according to aviation data company WingX. Richard Koe, WingX chief executive, said demand for private jets has been “record-breaking” for the past two years.
Bookings for private flights began to accelerate in 2020 as the wealthy and business travellers sought to avoid crowds and Covid-19 restrictions in place at airlines. Pilot shortages and cutbacks to service at smaller airports have also attracted private flyers.