Private flyers’ club swells; business jets, charters popular amid COVID-19 pandemic

New Delhi: Business jet and helicopter operators registered growth for the first time in almost a year during the festive month of October. Travellers avoided commercial flights due to Covid-19 and politicians used helicopters while campaigning in the recently-concluded Bihar assembly elections.General aviation movements increased 9.4% to 23,140 from 21,160 a year earlier, government data shows. One take-off and landing comprise two aircraft movements. The last time monthly premium travel increased was in November 2019, when it rose 1.7%.Operators attributed growth to the beginning of festive season last month. Demand continued in November. “The premier reason for growth in traffic movement in October can be attributed to the festival season — when travel usually sees a spike — the nationwide unlocking and easing of travel restrictions,” Kanika Tekriwal, founder of New Delhi-based JetSetGo, told ET. “Many of our guests preferred taking long getaways during Dussehra and the long Diwali weekend by hiring a private jet… most people now have started realising the benefits that charters provide, including safe travel with minimal touch points,” Tekriwal added.Business jet operators said charter flights are no longer about luxury.“Private flying, typically associated with the rich and famous and all about luxury, is now focused on health and safety,” Rajan Mehra, chief executive, Club One Air, told ET. “Launch of exclusive general aviation terminals in places like Delhi have further widened the contrast between travelling commercial and private — no airport queues, no crowds, known crew members and small, sanitised aircraft.”Mehra, former India head of Qatar Airways, said, “Business jets were clocking double-digit growth, but (not) helicopter operators... Bihar elections boosted demand for helicopters.” 79437823Business jet operators told ET they expect demand to peak by year-end. “I predict that this trend will only increase in the coming months,” Mehra said. Tekriwal said demand for business jets could return to pre-Covid levels soon.

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