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CBAJET sees pockets of optimism despite virus turmoil
It has been a troubling time for China, and business aviation has not escaped unscathed. But CBAJET's Jason Liao says that it is possible that the most major effects of COVID-19 will be short term, not long.

Jason Liao of CBAJET has outlined the impacts of Coronavirus on business aviation China. He says: “The outbreak of coronavirus has created huge challenges to our countries, businesses, families and individuals. Business aviation and general aviation will be affected inevitably like other industries. We are very pleased to see that business and general aviation has stepped up and is playing a very active role in the “War“ against coronavirus by providing transportation of critical supplies and key personnel. Unlike scheduled airliners with fixed flight routes and schedules, business aircraft’s routing and timing flexibility makes it perfect to quickly bring badly needed critical supplies to Wuhan. This is the first time in Chinese history that general and business aviation has played such critical role.

“Many enterprises have donated their business aircraft for the transportation of emergency relief supplies during the epidemic. Many companies are taking urgent actions around the world using their own aircraft to transport urgently needed medical supplies to Wuhan and other places. For example, 4,300 sets of medical protective clothing donated by German Chinese were transported directly to hospitals across Hubei by business aircraft. A total of 700 kilograms of medical supplies and equipment were transported to the People's Hospital of Wudu by business aviation enterprises urgently.

A company bought a batch of medical protective clothing in a small city in Europe and planned to ship back to China by commercial flight. If so, the shipment needs to fly to a city that has flights to China first, then fly to city like Beijing for customs clearance, and finally fly from Beijing to Wuhan. However, many countries have temporarily suspended commercial flights to and from China, which makes it very difficult to find a suitable flight and would delay the shipment for many days. In the end, the perfect solution is to transport the shipment using business jet from the small European city to Wuhan directly.

“Helicopters have been widely used to send medical supplies, rescue workers, and critically ill patients. For short distance door to door transports, helicopters are the best choices due to the fact that no runways are needed. Many general aviation enterprises, under the command of Hubei Emergency Management Department, have transported protective clothing and other medical supplies for Union Hospital, Central War Zone Hospital, and other hospitals using helicopters.

“Many people has stopped taking commercial flights due to concern of catching the virus. Business aircraft have become sometimes the only choice. You can fly by yourselves or only with the people you know. Many people were overseas on vacation during the Chinese New Year. Suddenly their original return flights were canceled and many countries have implemented temporary entry restrictions for Chinese nationals. A simple trip home has become a huge challenge. For many people, business aircraft was the only choice. Business aircraft flight activities and charter flights have increased substantially recently.

“The impact of Coronavirus outbreak on the Chinese economy is huge, and business aviation is no exception. I believe coronavirus has very negative impact in business aviation in the short term, but the long term impact is very positive. The slowdown of the economic activities, the decrease of corporate profits, and personal wealth will affect the purchase of business jets for a relative short period. Throughout the epidemic, the government, the public, the media and potential customers have realised the benefits of business aircraft. More people will buy. The government will establish more robust National Emergency Management System. More helicopters and fixed wing aircraft are needed.

“More people will buy business aircraft. But not all of them can afford large long range aircraft. More medium and small aircraft will be purchased. The demand for low-cost business charter flights and business aircraft sharing services will also greatly increase."