Many people are aware of the car shortage from dealerships nationwide. However, unbeknownst to the general population, a similar lack has occurred in the private aircraft sector. This shortage is caused primarily by COVID-19’s impact on the workplace, the domino effect that the pandemic has caused, and the desire for safe travel during this time. Here’s all you need to know about the shortage and how you can find a quality private aircraft service during this hectic time.
Various factors have caused the shortage, none of which can be pinned down as the sole cause. While COVID’s impact on the globe and travel is a huge factor, it primarily comes down to individual parts of the charter plane industry having problems that slow the entire sector down.
For one, there’s an overall shortage of new and used private planes because of an influx of travelers. As far as travelers go, 2021 has been a big year for private airplanes. According to data from CNBC, between various charter plane services, July was frequently reported as the busiest month for charter brokers. Over 300,000 charter flight bookings were made, which beats out any previous record recorded.
More people wanted to travel on private planes because of safety concerns from COVID. Those that generally would book a first-class ticket on a commercial flight were drawn to investing a bit more money for the added safety and peace of mind that comes with a private plane. On top of this, those who own private aircraft and lease their planes out have halted this service. The owners were more apt to use the private jets themselves, leaving fewer private planes readily available for the general market.
A shortage of planes isn’t the only problem the industry is dealing with. There is also a shortage of staff. Pilots and flight attendants cut down their hours and took leave due to the safety risks of the pandemic. Many also saw this as an opportunity to retire. On top of this, commercial airlines were hiring rapidly, diminishing the incentive for pilots and flight crew to sign on with a private company.
Another factor for delays in the industry stemmed from shortages of parts. Repairs have been taking longer than before, leaving many planes out of service for weeks. Normally, these repairs would be resolved within a day or two in pre-pandemic days, but with the supply chain shortage, they take weeks.
Problems are even making their way into the more minor aspects of private air travel. For instance, catering companies have found their own unique set of problems. Typically, private air customers send in their catering requests days ahead of the flight. However, those unfamiliar with flying private may not initially know this and send in their requests only a day early. For travelers who booked with an inexperienced charter broker, it can leave the catering team scrambling and the travelers disappointed.
Despite all of the problems that private air travel has faced this year, we can’t overlook the bright future the chartered plane business has. This year has brought in many new customers, most of which say they plan to continue using the private air services well into the future.
As of now, buying a private plane is difficult with, “all the manufacturers sold out anywhere from one to three years.” However, this means that the future is promising for chartering private flights.
Don’t let the statistics concern you if you’re looking to fly private. Even with the shortage, experienced brokers like us are ready to serve you. The deficit took us by surprise, and the influx of customers made us reconsider our policies and find a way to get this under control.
We’ve managed to stay ahead of the shortage in a few different ways. For one, we have exclusive availability of planes for our customers. Our particular charter service values our old and new customers, making room on private fleets for everyone. By joining our group of travelers and signing up for our exclusive Jet Membership program, you are met with endless connections and resources going ahead. The exclusivity of JetMembership has helped us stay ahead of this significant industry shortage and continue to deliver the best experience to our customers.
Plenty of new customers are jumping on the private plane bandwagon. The benefits of flying in personal aircraft are tremendous, and there’s no better way to travel than through our company. Whether you’re new to flying private and you want to take the first steps, or you’re a frequent private flyer who would like to learn more about the membership we offer, we are standing by and ready to assist. Contact us today to learn more about our services, including our exclusive wholesale pricing!
