Sino Jet has shared candid insights into its operational environment in 2020. The company believes that the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a shift in public perception of business jets from a luxury product to a safe and efficient transportation tool and alternative to commercial options. Despite ‘third-wave’ restrictions now tightening in Hong Kong, Sino feels confident that if cohesive stakeholder cooperation can be achieved, international travel in Asia could resume as early as Q4 2020.

The operator received over 2,000 enquiries in the period January to April 2020, many from first-time users of business aviation. These passengers included students studying abroad and stranded businesspeople. A company spokesperson said, “These passengers would ordinarily fly with airlines. However, flights were either cancelled or deemed unsafe, and we saw an increase in business jet charter as a result. From June, the volume of flight requests has slowed due to completion of repatriation flights, however demand from business users remains strong.”

The operator has reported an uptake in new entrants, including technology and start-up leaders. “Our clients rely on face-to-face interactions, especially in Asia. When travel is essential for businesses to survive, we pride ourselves on making the difference between a company's survival or its collapse. The impact of one business trip can affect jobs across the whole supply chain, and we take seriously our part in keeping businesses moving.”

Across the region, restricted border passage and crew visa requirements present further issues in allocating crew to missions. Sino Jet has adjusted to this challenge by making use of its extensive, international and local crew network, dual headquarters in Beijing and Hong Kong SAR, and skilled operations team. The company has introduced a dedicated, 24-hour team to monitor the fast-changing operational and regulatory environment, and stringent regulations relating to crew health, aircraft cleaning, disinfection and administration.

“Despite all the obvious issues, we see an opportunity for the industry to play a role in the region's economic recovery. With increasing understanding of the value of business aviation, we can operate essential flights that would otherwise be impossible,” the spokesperson continues.

Border control has been one of the most challenging elements of the operational environment in 2020. Often policies change quickly, leaving little time for repatriation before, for example, a border closes. Sino Jet has invested significant manpower in staying abreast of changes and providing solutions to ensure its clients can travel when needed. With dual headquarters in Beijing and Hong Kong, and offices around the region, the company is well placed to navigate policy changes and border restrictions faster than many industry players.

Sino Jet began implementing precautionary steps to its operations when COVID-19 was first detected in early January. The company's cabin service department introduced new aircraft disinfection and safety guidelines including temperature checks, wearing PPE and coating the aircraft with an antibacterial sanitisation product. In addition to stringent crew and passenger hygiene policies, Sino Jet crew also self-quarantine after every trip.

“With all the new measures in place, we deliver a clean, safe and healthy environment for all our clients and employees. In 2020, as always, our priority is as a responsible employer and member of the aviation community. At the heart of this is our commitment to defining a safe new normal that allows businesses and economies to recover, and families to be together.”