Evidently, 2020 is not an exceptionally good year for travelers. With the ongoing pandemic that has spread like wildfire, totaling some 15,000,000 reported cases in around seven months, the world is at a quasi-standstill, and the global economy is hurting. The tourism and air travel sectors, in particular, continue to suffer major headwinds as a result of the ongoing health crisis. Even as governments are easing lockdowns and gradually lifting travel restrictions, the impact of Coronavirus on the travel industry is bound to be a long-lasting one.

Unsurprisingly for those who can afford it, private jet travel is experiencing increasing demand at the moment. It answers the needs of passengers who want a convenient first-class experience with impeccable safety and hygiene standards. This all begs the question: how will private travel hold up in the face of rising COVID-19 cases? The short answer is, surprisingly well, here’s why.

Current Trends

Social distancing and quarantine measures have greatly affected the ability of travelers to wander about freely. While travel restrictions were declared in early March following recommendations from the World Health Organization, commercial travel started to experience sharp drops in frequency and air traffic. Private aviation activity, on the other hand, remained quite resilient for a few weeks. It was only by April that private travel plummeted by nearly two-thirds of its operational capacity amid the heart of the pandemic, mainly in Europe and North America, the two major demand markets for that niche.

Despite this initial drop, private air traffic has been recovering steadily during the following months, reaching 50% capacity in May and roughly 75% in June. The uncertainty of the situation and the fear of a second global wave makes it hard to predict whether the industry will be able to make a full comeback any time soon.

A Safer Alternative to Commercial Airliners

If one thing is true, it is that chartering a private jet is a much safer and less stressful option for traveling compared to traditional commercial flights. In fact, going through airport check-ins and being close to other passengers naturally increases risks of infection. 

This is where private travel has the advantage. The experts of https://bitluxtravel.com/ explain that choosing to fly privately, either nationally or internationally, saves you from lengthy check-in times and reduces your exposure to germs and bacteria. So, whether you’re moving back home, visiting family, or flying away for the weekend, you’ll benefit from upscale service and a safe, clean, and convenient trip. And in the event where the global infection rate spirals out of control once again, you can rest assured there will always be a reliable option to travel.

Business Travel Resumes

Slowly but surely, international business is picking up again. While most executives and high-profile employees were forced to work from home lately, the lifting of travel restrictions now allows them to resume their professional trips safely. This announcement is especially promising for the private aviation industry who charters millions of business people every year. In parallel, companies and multinationals are now formulating newer policies regarding their own travel regulations; this means they are more likely to increase their reliance on private jet providers and move away from commercial flights to reduce the risk of contagion for their staff.

Long-Term Projections

As mentioned, projecting forecasts is never easy in such uncertain and dire times, especially in such a globalized and interdependent economy. What is clear, though, is that if the world goes through a second major wave of infection, the frequency of air traffic will most likely meet those same levels of April at best or be completely shut down at worst. 

The CEOs of established private jet companies in North America seem to be quite optimistic regarding the future of their industries; for them, the demand will continue rising until it meets new highs. There’s even a belief circulating stating that private airfare will likely diminish, making it accessible to more and more people, and not simply rich executives or well-off families. However, realistically speaking, only a handful of people can afford to pay tens of thousands of dollars for a round-trip.

All things considered, the future of private jet travel doesn’t look as grim as other industries. A primary reason why it will hold up against such adversity is explained by the fact that the world is showing signs of remission from COVID-19. At the same time, even if the curve spikes up again, the demand for private travel won’t be as affected as commercial flights who’ve experienced staggering losses over recent months. Only time will tell.