Affluent travelers avoiding commercial flights during the pandemic are helping fuel a recovery in pre-owned corporate aircraft transactions this year and reviving shoots of demand for new planes even as the business aviation industry braces for a slump in 2020 deliveries.
Jets built as corporate aircraft, which can carry from roughly a handful to 19 travelers, tout less risk of exposure to the coronavirus because their passengers can avoid airports and generally select who comes on board.
Private flights have mostly recovered better than those of commercial airlines, with operators like NetJets reporting improved demand this summer.
Corporate planemakers, such as Canada’s Bombardier Inc, have been watching to see whether the rebound in leisure flights would translate into new aircraft orders.
