Industry Insights

It has started cautiously, and it’s still carefully controlled. But we’re confident: the business aviation industry will start to return to normal. Even if this winter sees a resurgence of the virus, we are better prepared.  Skies will be busier, borders will start reopening, and FBOs will see a stream of travelers passing through.

Undoubtedly, Covid-19 has changed our priorities. Travelers are rightfully demanding more control of their environment than before, prioritizing personal safety, hygiene and cleanliness. Here are three reasons why the nature of business jet cabin design, usage patterns, and upkeep, make this the healthiest way to fly.

A breath of fresh air

There has always been discussion around air quality when flying and, now more than ever, the perceived risk of spreading airborne viruses in the cabin has brought the use of High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters to the fore. This system uses 50/50 fresh air from outside the cabin and recirculated air, which passes through filters. For those aircraft types that don’t have a 100% fresh air system, entirely replenishing the air every few minutes (as found in all Gulfstream models), HEPA filters are the main form of purification.

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Download a PDF version of this guide here.

As a passenger on a business aircraft, you are very much in control of your world and your environment. With Covid-19 bringing cabin air quality into sharp focus, we have developed this guide to show what options are available from each aircraft manufacturer to remove pathogens and bacteria from the air in aircraft cabins. Health and safety are our priority and this guide is designed to provide reassurance of the health benefits afforded by business aviation.

There are many ways to ensure high quality cabin air, and the systems used will largely depend on the aircraft type and what it is used for. Many business jets use 100% fresh air systems, compressing and sterilizing air before it enters the cabin. For systems that recirculate a proportion of the cabin’s air, HEPA (High-Efficiency Particle Assurance) filters are the most used on airlines and are also found in business aircraft. A HEPA filter must capture a minimum of 99.97% of contaminants at 0.3 microns in size. As well as on aircraft, they are largely used in medical facilities and surgical rooms where pure, high-quality air is needed.

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If you want to survive and thrive in turbulent times, you need to be flexible, inventive and tenacious. The business aviation industry is no exception. It requires clever thinking to close major deals during Covid-19.

Bringing buyers and aircraft together safely for viewings during lockdown has been a challenge, but it’s hard for clients to place a deposit on a multi-million-dollar private jet they haven’t seen in person. In some cases, we’ve used high-resolution photos and video to bring the viewing experience to the customer. In others, we’ve flown the aircraft directly to the buyer’s hometown for a viewing.

I’m proud to say that Jetcraft recently facilitated the closing of a US-based Embraer Legacy 450 aircraft in a record-breaking seven days.  This is not typical, though.  Every deal is different, and whatever logistical challenges we face, they can be overcome with a little imagination. A complex European sale of a Dassault Falcon 7X, which closed on April 1, is one such example.

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This year, everything changed. But that hasn’t stopped our global team supporting you at every step, wherever you are. We’re providing you with the expertise you value from Jetcraft. And we’re expanding our offerings to bring you new opportunities. So, when the world can take off again, you’ll be ready.

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I’ll come right out and say it: I love airplanes, I love flying, and I love the business of business aviation. The combination of short-field landing capabilities, range and speed make private aircraft a perfect corporate tool. But something that’s often overlooked is how business aviation has an exceptionally broad range of utilizations, particularly in times of crisis, supporting air ambulance, cargo, and governmental missions.

Many industries have done an excellent job pivoting to meet the demands of the Covid-19 pandemic – distilleries making hand sanitizer, fashion brands stitching surgical masks and car manufacturers producing ventilators.  At Jetcraft, we are proud and privileged to be part of a sector that was ready to act when needed.

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It’s easy to forget we haven’t always had technology at our fingertips. Over the past 20 years, digital innovations have revolutionized our social lives, work habits and learning abilities in a way we could never have imagined.

When mobile phones and the internet were first introduced, they were privileged items to have in your home. According to a census taken in the US, only 51% of households had a computer in the year 2000. Today, it’s hard to imagine a world without one. How else could we talk to family members who live in other countries, complete business deals in different time zones, or facilitate cross-border transactions?

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Coronavirus (COVID-19) has brought much uncertainty to the world and, unfortunately, the future is still unclear. On behalf of the Jetcraft team, I want to personally reassure you that we are in a strong position to remain open for business and we are ready to transact. Moreover, our team is available to help you navigate your important aircraft-related decisions during this period. Here are some of the most popular questions we’ve recently been answering for our clients.

Should I consider an aircraft purchase now?

If you are in the position to do so, absolutely.  While these are challenging times, we encourage those who can to take a long-term view and consider aircraft purchases or upgrades to meet their needs.  However, it’s important to understand how to maximize your benefits and navigate the current market.

Good quality inventory is becoming available, interest rates are low and bonus depreciation still applies, so there is plenty to take advantage of if this is an option open to you. At Jetcraft, we are well-versed on how to leverage the current market to negotiate the best deal for our buyers.

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The outbreak of coronavirus continues to evolve, along with the travel advice, and restrictions have been placed on all aspects of flight, including business aviation which are being updated almost daily.

This is déjà vu for me as I recall only too well the outbreak of SARS in 2002/2003 and the devastation this brought, especially to Asia. The difference today is, unlike 17 years ago, China was less integrated into the world’s economy. As such, the impacts were far more regional, and Asia was hit hard economically. Today, the world is a different place. China is the second largest economy having grown many times since 2002, supply chains are being impacted and travel is far more restricted than before. Millions more Chinese travel externally, so tourism and the hospitality industries will feel a huge impact.

In terms of aircraft manufacturing, Boeing, Airbus and engine maker Safran have all confirmed disruption due to factory and assembly line closures and travel restrictions. For the service facilities in China the work has slowed significantly, but the China owned/based fleet was in a slight decline mode before this factor emerged. It’s hard to say what the long-term impact will be as it’s simply too early.

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2019 was a strong year for business aviation, with private jet deliveries at their highest level in a decade, as the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) reported this week. Aircraft deliveries increased in value by 10%, up to $26.8bn in 2019, compared to $24.3bn in 2018.

Growth by manufacturers is needed by the pre-owned market as buyers continue to trade up to newer models, so the 2019 results are extremely encouraging – particularly for long-range aircraft manufacturers such as Gulfstream, Bombardier and Dassault. As owners upgrade, they release relatively young pre-owned jets onto the market, creating value alternatives for buyers who can or will consider pre-owned options.

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