Onesize Does Not Fit All

Not only has 2011 been a good year for the private jet charter industry in the United States, but business jet agencies in the Middle East are also expecting higher than usual profits this year, signaling a rebound in an industry that has been hit by expensive gas prices and lower sales in recent years. Many leading private jet agencies are expecting record profits and expanding markets that have not been seen since the onset of the global economic crisis and the following recessions.

Although the Arab Spring has had some impact on the private jet charter industry, overall that impact has been minimal and easily surpassed by rising profits. Some companies have reported a 30% rise in flight hours and a similar jump in revenue generated by the flights, allowing the airlines to expand services and hire much needed additional staff to meet the demand. Much of that demand is coming specifically from business flights to and from Saudi Arabia, as well as Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. These flights are often bound to destinations in Europe and the United States as well as local flights to locations in neighboring Middle East nations.

Overall this is good news for an industry that was hit by several public relations blunders that highlighted the disparity between the ultra rich and struggling families during the height of the economic recession, prompting many corporations and even wealthy individuals to opt for first class commercial flights over the flashy and posh private charters. However those times have passed, even despite the recent flop by an Australian airline that shook down passengers en route, leading many industry leaders to be hopeful about the future of their companies for the first time in several years.