Private jet companies are partnering with Europe's major travel agencies, including Austria's GlobeAir, to provide safer travel solutions compared to airliners. GlobeAir reports that travel agencies including TUI and Dertour are ‘knocking at business aviation's doors’ to satisfy the growing need for high-end transport solutions for their customers. “If chartering a private jet was considered the definition of luxury just before March 2020, COVID-19 has brought about a change in perception,” the company states.

With airliners cutting down on their offering and slowly adapting to the new safety procedures, travellers are increasingly discouraged from flying on a commercial aircraft due to the risks of contamination from crowded airports, strangers sharing a small space in the cabin and busy food stalls and waiting rooms. It is no wonder then that business aviation, an industry that has long been separate from the traditional travel industry agents, is now becoming attractive. Travel agencies are now partnering with luxury transport companies by setting up exclusive travel packages to the most beloved travel destinations. The objective is to offer exclusive all-in-one solutions comprising safe transport, top accommodation and continuous support.

“We are partnering with GlobeAir to give our clientele the chance to travel safely in times of uncertainty,” says Harald Schobesberger, CEO at Austrian travel agency urlaubswelt.com. “Our exclusive all-in-one travel solutions include private jet transfers and matching signature hotels or secluded villas in top locations like Saint-Tropez, Monaco or Porto Cervo. We have just started to offer such packages and we are very happy about the public's response.”

One out of every three travellers admits that they would choose their means of transport based on the level of biosecurity offered by it. Private jet companies are investing heavily in deep aircraft cleaning before and after every flight. Also, when flying privately travellers benefit from a fresh exchange of air and the assurance that they are sharing the cabin with people who are either related to them or that they know well. For those passengers who are used to travelling business and first-class, the higher price for a private jet charter is not a deal-breaker.

With a 67 per cent increase in newly-acquired passengers who used to be frequent business class travellers since the beginning of the pandemic, there is a high chance that the new market segment will be profitable for both industries.