Belgian private jet operators have enjoyed record profits this year, as rich passengers have become increasingly attracted by the promise of no queues, the limited risk of Covid-19 infection, and premium service.
Collectively, Belgium's four main private jet companies — Luxaviation, Flying Group, ASL Group and The Aviation Factory — operated 46,000 flights in 2022, an increase of 25% compared to last year. The number of passengers flying on private jets also rose by 63%, from 69,870 to 114,000.
Though demand for private planes has fallen slightly over the winter period, jet operators remain delighted at the strong customer demand which held almost uninterrupted from summer until autumn this year.
"Demand remained high," Ward Bonduel, CEO of the Luxaviation, told l'Echo. "The resumption of the commercial year, in September and October, was again very busy."
Bonduel's remarks were echoed by Thomas Van Meerbeeck, a partner at The Aviation Factory.
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"Until the beginning of October, the activity remained very intense, but most of the crowds have now passed," he explained. "Now it's mostly about bookings for business trips or for people who are going on a skiing holiday soon. When it snowed in London at the beginning of the month and some scheduled flights were cancelled, we sold a few more flights."
The Aviation Company has estimated that turnover in the Belgian private jet business reached €45 million in 2022, almost double the amount in 2019 (i.e. prior to the pandemic). Both Bonduel and Van Meerbeeck confirmed that their respective companies both made more this year than they did three years ago.
Private jet operators are also pleased at the Flemish Government's decision to develop three regional airports, which will likely provide further possibilities to expand their businesses. Still, come company directors remain sceptical as to whether next year will be as successful as the current one, especially given Europe's high inflation rate and deepening energy crisis.
"The decline in consumer confidence, high inflation and global instability will certainly lead to a decline in operating figures," said CEO of Flying Group Bernard Van Milders. "New attacks on private aviation by environmental groups will not help either."
