Research Reveals More US Corporates Are Considering Buying Business Jets

Orlando, October 19, 2022 – New research among board directors and senior executives of S&P 500 companies and other major U.S. corporates with annual revenue of at least $500 million, reveals 60 percent said the companies they work for
own at least one private jet. Of those that do not, 58 percent think they could buy one within the next three years.

When asked to select their top three reasons for why their companies might buy a jet, 86 percent cited the fact that there has been a big increase in their company’s use of business aviation, 71 percent said it is due to a growing focus on the health and well-being of managers, and 43 percent said the growing focus on sustainability within the private jet sector. Some 43 percent highlighted difficulties in the commercial aviation sector, including canceled routes and flights as one of their top three reasons, as did 38 percent who highlighted new and innovative models of business jets that have recently launched, made purchasing one more appealing. 

Of those senior U.S. business executives interviewed whose companies own private jets, 90 percent said they believe they may want to upgrade over the next five years with the main reason being the fact that newer and better models have recently launched, a view cited by 76 percent of respondents. Some 67 percent said it is because they will look for newer models that can make greater use of sustainable fuel, 44 percent said it will be because of a growing focus on operational costs, while 44 percent said they need a bigger aircraft because more executives will want to use it.

ACJ’s research found that of the business executives interviewed whose companies own business jets, 34 percent anticipate their utilization of these will increase dramatically over the next two years, and a further 38 percent expect their use to increase slightly. ACJ offers a range of large business aircraft, the latest of which is the ACJ TwoTwenty. This launched in October 2020, creating a whole new market segment – ‘The Xtra Large Bizjet.’

The ACJ TwoTwenty is a new and unique value proposition for business aviation buyers. It combines intercontinental range, enabling the aircraft to fly over 12 flight hours, with unmatched personal space, providing comfort for each passenger with 786 square feet of floor space. It is the only business jet featuring six wide VIP living areas of around 130 square feet each.

“Given the growing use of business aircraft by large U.S. corporates, it can make sense for some to own their own aircraft as opposed to using charter services. said Sean McGeough, VP Commercial ACJ for North America. “Our research shows that more U.S. companies are considering buying their own jets and this is being fuelled by a number of factors including greater usage, and a growing focus on the well-being of managers.”

The ACJ TwoTwenty offers unbeatable economics and unrivaled reliability at the same price as ultra-long-range (ULR) business jets. It occupies the same parking footprint as competitive ULR jets and can take off from the same airports, but its operating costs are one-third less. It also is the quietest and most eco-friendly aircraft in its category. ACJ is working as part of the global Airbus family to optimize its environmental performance, reduce noise and create responsible solutions that support both its sustainability ambitions and customers’ goals.

As with all ACJ aircraft, the ACJ TwoTwenty is certified to fly with a 50 percent blend of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). The goal is to achieve 100 percent SAF certification by 2030.

More than 210 Airbus corporate jets are in service worldwide, flying on every continent, including Antarctica.
 

Notes to editors:

Airbus Corporate Jets (ACJ) commissioned the independent research company Pureprofile to survey 53 senior executives of S&P 500 companies, and 47 senior executives of U.S.- based companies with an annual revenues of over $500 million. 26 of the respondents were CEOs, 27 were CFOs, 33 were senior executives and 14 held other Board Director roles. The study was conducted in June 2022.