The effects of Coronavirus are being felt across the travel industry—but as commercial aviation is hit hard, the private jet industry is booming with inquiries.
As Coronavirus causes drops in flight bookings, many commercial airlines announced cuts in their flight schedule. Besides, clients are looking to avoid crowded airports, packed cabins of commercial flights or to evacuate affected areas. Today, passengers want to travel as quickly as possible, avoid immigration restrictions, imposed by countries one after another.
“We noticed a sharp rise in demands for business jet charter services. Over the last days, inquiries increased by 45% YoY,” says Alain Leboursier, Head of Sales and Development at LunaJets, Europe’s leading private jet charter.
It concerns regular private jet charter flights, emergency flight for evacuation and even cargo charter.
Private aviation is perceived as a way to decrease the risk to contract Coronavirus. Passengers avoid crowds, in the airports, as they use separated private airport terminals, and on-board. Indeed, security controls at private jet terminals are faster than in commercial terminal and there are no queues.
“Flying private, clients will have limited contacts during their journey, limited to airport agents, mandatory security staff and crew. Therefore, you avoid Coronavirus potential exposure,” comments Alain Leboursier.
Aside from extra sanitary measures applied to the aircraft and crew, flights are operating normally for private jet companies.
Eymeric Segard, LunaJets’ CEO, highlights: “LunaJets only works with certified private jet operators following the European Union Aviation Safety Agency’s recommendations to protect passengers and crew. Our client’s safety is our top concern.”
Yet, the seriousness of the situation adds numerous challenges to fly in and out of affected regions. “The situation results in added complexity and longer lead times” says Leboursier. At LunaJets, the Operations team had to be reinforced to follow the situation and changes in regulations continuously
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