US firms highlight the growing impact business aviation makes to their operations
LAS VEGAS, OCTOBER 24, 2024 — Some 95% of senior executives at large U.S. corporations who use private jets believe they are a vital business tool enabling them to reach destinations more quickly, have more face-to-face meetings with clients and business partners, and generally use their time more efficiently. This is according to a new study1 commissioned by Airbus Corporate Jets (ACJ).
Some 83% of senior executives interviewed believe they can work more effectively on board a business jet than in their own office.
Some 86% of those surveyed believe that U.S. companies that own or lease their aircraft will increase their utilization of them over the next two years. This is partly explained by the fact that 83% of those senior executives surveyed say the level of continental and intercontinental travel has increased in the past two years. Overall, 88% say their company’s budget for business travel has risen.
In terms of why senior U.S. corporate executives expect their organization to make greater use of business aviation, the main reason – cited by 62% of respondents – is the increased flexibility it provides. This is followed by 60% who cite a growing focus on personal security, 48% who highlight the greater technology on board aircraft, and 47% who cite a greater focus on the well-being of staff.
Over the next five years, 85% of those surveyed expect to see an increase in large U.S. corporations buying aircraft to provide a ‘shuttle’ service to transport employees. Some 77% say a key reason for this is their desire to provide greater comfort and a better working environment for employees.
Plans to upgrade
Given the growing importance many U.S. corporations place on business aviation, ACJ’s study reveals that of those companies surveyed that own or lease a private jet, 95% expect to upgrade them to better, newer models over the next five years.
The main reason for upgrading is to have a more fuel efficient aircraft – cited by 76% of those surveyed. This is followed by 49% who say they have a growing need for a bigger aircraft as more company executives are using business aviation, and 47% who say it is because they are placing a bigger focus on managing operational costs.
“Many U.S. corporations are clearly making greater use of business aviation as they see it as a valuable tool to support impactful business decisions and positive global change,” says Chadi Saade, President, ACJ. “Our research suggests that more employees within large U.S. corporations are using business aviation, and this is fueling demand for larger business aircraft.”
ACJ offers a range of large business aircraft. The recently launched ACJ TwoTwenty is carving out a whole new market segment – ‘The Xtra Large Bizjet.’
The ACJ TwoTwenty offers twice the cabin real estate compared to similarly priced ultra long range (ULR) business jets, combined with market-leading fuel efficiency and unrivaled reliability. It occupies the same parking footprint as competitive ULR jets and can take off from the same airports, but the ACJ TwoTwenty operating costs are one-third less.
With a range of up to 5,650 nm (more than 12 flight hours), the ACJ TwoTwenty can meet the requirements of 99.9% of all U.S. departures,2 connecting city pairs including Los Angeles to London, Miami to Buenos Aires, and New York to Istanbul.
As with all ACJ aircraft, the ACJ TwoTwenty is capable of flying with up to a 50% blend of kerosene and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) while keeping to the technical specifications of Jet A. All Airbus commercial aircraft and helicopters will be capable of operating with 100% SAF by 2030. This capability will play an essential role in the sector’s decarbonization journey.
Notes to Editors:
Airbus Corporate Jets commissioned the independent research company Pureprofile to survey 101 senior executives of large U.S. corporations with annual revenue of $500 million or more who said their employer uses business aviation.
Airbus Corporate Jets analysis of WingX data, January 2024.
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