Soaring Demand for Private Jet Travel Creates Aircraft Shortage, Delays Ahead of Holidays
With one of the busiest travel seasons of the year around the corner and private jet travel at an all-time high due to the pandemic, one jet charter company is urging travelers to book early and be more flexible than ever.
“We’re working around the clock to accommodate our clients and provide a consistently reliable private jet travel experience,” says Joel Thomas, CEO of Stratos Jet Charters. “With the holiday season quickly approaching, we’re expecting this demand to become even more exceptional.”
According to a recent article published online by CNBC, more than 300,000 private flights took off in July, making it the busiest month on record for the private aviation industry. While the request for private flights typically slows down during the early fall, the holiday season is set to be the busiest time in the history of private aviation and blow past that record set in July. This will undoubtedly strain the industry even more.
Demand for private jet travel has largely increased due to travelers seeking safer travel methods amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. With fewer touch points and interaction with other travelers and airport staff, private jet charters have become one of the most popular ways to travel. As more and more travelers discover the benefits of flying privately, demand is straining already limited supply of jet charter aircraft. That’s because with a global shortage of new and used aircraft for sale, more people are turning to charters. Aircraft parts are also hard to source right now, and that’s causing delays and lengthy groundings. The industry is also facing crew and pilot shortages.
In response to this unprecedented demand, Thomas says, “Offering departure time flexibility to our clients has been a bit of a challenge lately. Most aircraft are scheduled for multiple flights per day, and air carriers are enforcing strict wheels up times to stick to their rigid schedules.”
Although flexibility is one of the reasons why many travelers prefer private jet travel over purchasing a seat on a commercial airliner, Thomas says given these trends, travelers will benefit from being more flexible in their travel plans.
“Educating our clients and helping them make the most informed decisions is incredibly important to us. By sharing the state of the industry with our clients, we can work together to mitigate potential delays and make traveling during these busy times an easier and more relaxed experience,” says Thomas.
When travelers have a better understanding of the challenges charter brokers and other key players in the industry are facing, it may be easier to secure high-quality air carriers, peak travel dates, and the preferable and appropriate aircraft amidst the growing demand.
ABOUT STRATOS JET CHARTERS INC.
Based in Orlando, FL, Stratos Jet Charters Inc. has been providing private jet broker services across the United States and around the world for nearly two decades. Since that time, Stratos has developed a reputation for outstanding service and safety. With strong industry relationships, a trip support department and a unique additional $10 million liability policy above operators’ insurance, Stratos strives to provide private jet travel that offers value and convenience as well as the height of service and safety.
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