It’s no secret that private jet usage in Europe increased during the peak of the pandemic, but the upward trajectory continues to reach new highs thanks to loosening government restrictions across the continent and a renewed interest and unprecedented demand for premium leisure and business travel.
Europe’s leading private jet provider Flexjet reports unprecedented demand for travel
First established in the U.S. in 1995, leading luxury private jet company Flexjet expanded into Europe in only 2019 but is already experiencing unparalleled growth, reflecting the overall trend in the wider world of private aviation. The company recently announced a 400-percent increase in flight activity in Europe during 2021, while also achieving IS-BAO accreditation for its European operation, the gold standard and worldwide benchmark for safety and excellence in business aircraft.
As the pandemic isn’t over, safety concerns continue to fuel the considerable growth, as does lessening travel restrictions. Within European countries, covid measures are also being relaxed or phased-out, promoting face-to-face business interactions and the return of big-ticket events, which has sparked an influx of leisure travel.
This January, the ultra-exclusive Snow Polo World Cup returned to St. Moritz in January, and Flexjet—whose sleek fleet is no stranger to St. Moritz’ small private airport of Samedan—was there as the headlining aviation partner, as part of a three-year commitment.
Flexjet was one of this year’s sponsors at the Snow Polo World Cup in St. Moritz
“We are operating more flights to Samedan this winter for the Snow Polo World Cup than ever,” says Marine Eugene, Flexjet’s European Managing Director. “And the increase is not only due to Flexjet’s considerable growth in Europe. The ability to fly into the private airport of Samedan—just minutes from the town and the event venue—is very attractive…Of course, with Flexjet [owners] also travel in exceptional comfort, on their own schedule and can minimise exposure to others, something that now has a very strong appeal.”
About 60 Flexjet owners attended this year’s prestigious polo event, and as honored guests of the sponsor, they were spoiled with VIP access; private dinners at members-only clubs; and tickets to the sold-out gala dinner. Among the owners, Eugene observed renewed vigour and excitement: “It’s a beautiful place to get everyone together, and on the back of the last year and a half, a lot of our customers were demanding ideas of where to fly and of where to travel…We work hand-in-hand with all the best partners locally to provide experiences. We don’t want this company to be just about transportation from A to B; we think the company’s culture, the DNA, the value of our service is in the fact that we actually provide a lot more. It’s a whole experience, and we are a people business,” says Eugene.
Flexjet was prepared for the influx of interest with an expanding fleet of Legacy 500s, Praetor … [+]
While putting a premium on people has certainly proved a success for Flexjet (around 70 percent of new business comes from word-of-mouth, according to Eugene), the company’s growth can also be attributed to their preparedness for the upswing in demand. Following the example set by their well-established U.S. operation, Flexjet’s European fleet expanded by 40 percent in 2021, and further investment is confirmed for 2022, with more super-midsize Praetor 600s and the addition of the ultra-long-range Gulfstream G650 with a year-round European base.
Yet, this is all being done with the utmost restraint and caution. “The last thing that our customers want to feel is that they’re just a number. We’re one of the only operators that still has a personality and time to invest in hospitality. Everyone else has oversold their fleet, so they have no time to tailor or personalize. That’s one of the biggest threats to our industry: if we get greedy and take too many people on, then we won’t be able to deliver the magic of flying private. That’s the lesson that I’m applying daily at Flexjet,” says Eugene. “We take the time to do it well.”