How will economic conditions in Europe affect business aviation operators?
Shane O’Hare. These are undoubtedly very difficult times for business aviation, with European brokers reporting a 30 to 50 percent downturn in corporate market business compared with a year ago. But none of this changes the primary reason for business aviation. The equally significant fall in commercial airline traffic and consequent flight cancellations means that it is now becoming ever more difficult to complete timely business deals at destinations away from the main hubs, with many cities served less frequently than before, and some no longer served at all. Business aviation in Europe is primarily a business tool both of large companies and governments, who represent some 80 percent of users. Royal Jet’s recently opened charter brokerage, based in Dubai, provides travel solutions sourcing appropriate aircraft for charter through a network of carefully audited operators. Already inter-European bookings are showing a high level of uptake. The brokerage service is a key aspect of Roy
