It’s no secret that the pandemic has affected every area of our lives. The travel and tourism sector was impacted massively by travel bans because of the grounding of flights and the closure of borders. However, since borders have begun to open again and countries are welcoming tourists back, tourism is rebounding at an unprecedented rate.
As a result of everyone’s heightened awareness of travelling during a pandemic, one industry that has seen a boom in numbers is private air travel. The private jet sector has recovered faster than commercial airlines as wealthy flyers opt for a more exclusive flying experience.
One report by Vista Global found a 67% increase in global flight hours across the Vista brands as private air travel takes off. But which countries use the most private air travel?
The Middle East
The Middle East is quickly becoming a favorite destination of millionaires. Dubai currently boasts the second biggest number of millionaires in the Middle East, behind only Istanbul, and as such has seen the largest growth in private air travel. Vista Global figures found a 153% increase in Middle Eastern flights. Currently, there are over 1,500 private aircraft that operate in the Middle East/ North Africa region.
North America
The home of Hollywood, Silicon Valley, and 22 million millionaires, the USA is the number one country for private jet ownership in the world. With 12,717 registered private jets, it’s the country with the largest fleet of privately owned private jets.
Private jet flights in North America tend to be domestic, with flights from coast-to-coast accounting for the majority of flight hours.
Mexico
A popular holiday destination for North Americans, Mexico is home to 950 registered private jets. Stats show that Mexico accounts for 4.4% of the world’s private jet ownership and is second behind North America.
Brazil
Brazil has 786 registered private jets, making it the third biggest market for private jet ownership. However, following a tumultuous three years and growing political instability, the country has seen a decrease in demand for private air travel.
The Changing Faces of Private Passengers
Typically, it was celebrities and CEOs, politicians and royals who owned and traveled by private jet. However, with a change in attitude towards air travel and health, more and more people are considering chartering their own private jets. With last-minute single-leg flights operating at discounted rates, it’s becoming more accessible for the “average” high-earner.
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