Snowstorms Boost Growing Private Jet Travel Industry
Time Magazine’s recent article Why the Snowpocalypse Is Paradise for Private Jets reports that the recent snow storms and blizzards that wreaked havoc on commercial air travel and left hundreds of pleasure and business travelers stranded, was a boon to the growing private jet business. Some private jet operators reported doing 200% more business than usual in December alone. In fact, the article indicates statistics from the the industry data provider, Avinode Business Intelligence, says charter departure requests in the US peaked on Dec. 26 at 1,478 – which is more than double the number one year prior.
Why can private jets fly when other commercial flights can’t takeoff? There are a couple reasons. Private jet flights can file flight plans with short notice prior to takeoff, and they have many more alternate airports they can use for takeoff and landing. There are thousands of more airports available to private jets, that commercial jets can use.
The snow and storms just helped an industry already rebounding from the recession. Demand for private jet travel around the world was up 50% last year. While they still aren’t back to pre-recession numbers, it’s been a slow steady growth.
One more reason the industry is optimistic is the new market in Asia, China and India. This is a new market that didn’t exist 10 years ago. Experts say the market is small right now, but starting to take of
Corporate business travelers in the US are turning to private jet travel in record numbers due to the time saved and the ability to fly when and where they want. Long security lines, flight delays and traffic jams to and from large airports adds to the delays for business travelers.