The Growth of Corporate Aviation
Take your business up into the air with corporate aviation. Learn about the benefits of investing in private air travel.
There is no doubt that air travel is an important aspect in many parts of our lives, both personal and business. We travel for adventure, to visit family. for romantic getaways and unforgettable family vacations.
We also travel for work. This may be, perhaps, one of the most popular reasons people find themselves in the air these days – and has a lot to do with the growth of corporate aviation.
Air Travel and Business Needs
Big corporations make deals around the world. All these things require travel for multiple business locations, nearshore or offshore manufacturing facilities, conferences and networking events, potential clients, or client meetings.
Gone are the days when small businesses stay local within the community. Even if their product is sourced locally, there are still seminars, meetings, corporate connections that must be handled — and each usually requires a bit of travel.
The advancements in technology and the accessibility of air travel have knocked down any barriers to expanding business to a global level. Business travel is necessary – air travel makes it happen.
Benefits of Corporate Aviation
Corporate aviation refers to aircraft used by corporations or businesses privately – and not for commercial use. And this means of travel has a great number of benefits for businesses of all sizes.
Business in the Sky
Thanks to the private setting, you can continue working and handling business while in the air without risking any intellectual property or security breaches.
Time Efficiency
Get where you need to be – fast. If there is an issue at your manufacturing plant, hopping on a private jet can get you there and find a resolution before things get out of hand.
Transportation for Executives and Employees
With a private jet on standby, there becomes less hassle in booking commercial tickets and planning and dealing with the expense – especially of last-minute travel. Instead, everyone can hop on board and go. It presents more strategic opportunities and control.
Boost Company Image
Flying on a private jet comes with a bit of high acclaim and status. Two executives trying to win over one client – one shows up on a commercial jet, and the other has a driver meet him where his private jet lands, which one looks like they’ve got it together? Regardless of who truly does, it is good for the company’s image.
Access to all the amenities
When flying private, there are so many more amenities that you will probably never see on a commercial flight. Spacious, comfortable seating, full wireless connectivity, privacy, and more. These are just a few of the many reasons that make corporate aviation so important. The more we move forward in business and global growth, the more standard this form of travel will become.
COVID-19’s Impact on Air Travel and Corporate Aviation
It is no secret that many people are trying to avoid large crowds thanks to COVID-19 itself, as well as the new highly contagious delta variant. For many, this means avoiding large crowds at airports. Whether at check-in, going through the security checkpoint lines, waiting at your gate, enclosed on the plane, or waiting for your luggage – there are many more opportunities for catching something other than just a plane ride.
When the world shut down in the first part of 2020, commercial flights were grounded, too. As commercial airlines were trying to figure out how to stay in business while ensuring their passengers would remain safe, private and corporate jets were in the air. The idea of that exposure was just too much for most people. After all, it allowed you to travel with minimal risk.
As time went on and COVID-19 wasn’t leaving us, more and more people began to take advantage of these private flights. People who had never stepped foot on a private jet were now doing so. These flights were becoming more affordable and were more accessible to everyone. People realized that the flights they once assumed were only for top business execs, celebrities, and the elite were actually available to anyone who wanted them. And they were quite affordable, too. And businesses that still used commercial air travel found that they could keep employees safe while traveling. Business didn’t have to stop because of COVID-19.
This new realization made the demand for corporate aviation skyrocket. There were more first-time private travelers in 2020 than in any other recent year, it is safe to say.
What’s Driving the Growth?
While there have been times of regression, currently, the corporate aviation world is seeing nothing but growth and increased activity. Those who have experienced the benefits that corporate aviation offers – whether new or seasoned travelers – have made it their go-to method for any air travel needs.
As with any other industry, there will always be an ebb and flow in demand. When COVID-19 sparked fear in people, travelers turned to more private options. As life seemed to return to normal, many may have opted again for commercial air travel. But, as they say, once you know what you have available to you – such as private travel – it makes it hard to go back to anything less.
Charter flights have surely contributed to the growth. They make private air travel more accessible because you don’t have to have your own private jet but rather book a charter to fly on a jet owned by someone else.
Charter companies have made it even more accessible, with easy-to-use websites for booking and even deals like special VIP services. You can book a flight and be in the air in as little as two hours – maybe even less. In other words, private jet charter companies have worked to bridge the gap between private jets and everyone else.
The Future of Flying Private and Corporate Aviation
The growth of corporate aviation continues to push forward, adding in the tourism sector, too. Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic and travelers looking for alternate ways to get where they were going, many more people have been opened to all the benefits and rewards that come with private travel.
It looks like corporate aviation’s future may really be taking off!