Ultimate Jet #73 - Phenom 300E Flight Test

FOCUS I 18
B
siness aviation has always been able to cope with the various
crises that have crossed its young history. Even at its lowest
point, as in 2008, the activity has always shown a mediumterm
post-crisis recovery. The unprecedented nature of this crisis,
which was health-related before it was economic, is more pernicious.
Indeed, it is difficult to assess what the medium and long-term
consequences will be on the world economy and on this sector in
particular. Nevertheless, in the face of an exhausted commercial
aviation that is struggling to catch its breath, business aviation
could find a second wind and a new appeal to a clientele that had
abandoned the use of private jets.
If for the moment, no study has been unveiled on the subject, various
professionals in the sector, starting with operators and brokers,
have seen an increase in requests for quotes, even during the
confinement. This is the case of Sylvie Darnaudet, President of Jet
Monde, an air broker specializing in business aviation based at Le
Bourget airport, who says she has «a higher number of requests for
quotes for flights in and outside the Schengen zone». Requests that for
the moment cannot be met in view of the border restrictions still in
place in most countries. However, she is positive about the reopening
of these restrictions: «the market could pick up again very quickly
because managers and their executives have a vital need to travel. But
they don’t want to do so under any conditions. In fact, business aviation
meets their expectations, particularly in terms of health and safety. The
idea of passing through a crowded terminal, with transit flights, seems
inconceivable to them today». The second-hand market could also
benefit in part from this new awareness. The idea of companies
acquiring an aircraft to transport their management teams seems
to be gaining ground again; again for safety reasons. And,this after
years of «business aviation bashing» which no longer met the image
and marketing criteria.