Newly published research, commissioned by Airbus Corporate Jets (ACJ), says that business aviation professionals are experiencing an increase in demand from governments and government departments for business aircraft. The research attributes this to the current geopolitical environment and an increase in global diplomacy.
The research, which surveyed business aviation financiers and brokers across the US, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and South America, found that 91% of respondents said they have seen an increase in governments or government departments looking to purchase or charter business aircraft. Just 8% of respondents said they had not seen an increase, while 1% said they did not know.
ACJ says the findings point to a growing role for business aviation beyond traditional executive transportation, with governments increasingly using aircraft as mission-critical business tools capable of supporting diplomatic travel, crisis response, humanitarian missions, medical evacuation and repatriation.
Respondents in all regions reported an increase. The US recorded the highest proportion (95%) of respondents reporting increased government demand, followed by the Middle East (94%), Asia (92%), Europe (88%) and Latin America (80%).
ACJ says around 50% of its customers are government entities using aircraft as mission-critical assets rather than simply as a means of executive transportation. The company believes that the government sector represents a long-term growth market as governments continue to invest in aviation capabilities that can perform multiple roles.
“The findings demonstrate just how significantly the role of business aviation is evolving within government,” said Chadi Saade, president of Airbus Corporate Jets. “The current geopolitical environment has increased the need for governments to be able to move people quickly, securely and reliably, often at short notice and into challenging operating environments.”
Germany’s Special Air Mission Wing
Germany’s Special Air Mission Wing operates a diverse fleet of 18 aircraft, including ACJ319, A321neo, and ACJ350 models. The fleet ensures that political leaders and officials can reach global destinations quickly, safely, reliably and on time.
The A321neo and ACJ319 models are also fitted with modular Patient Transport Units (PTUs), allowing the Wing to carry out medical evacuation and repatriation flights.
Slovakia’s Euracare flight and Shelter
The Slovak Government Flight Service’s Euracare flight and Shelter module is part of Slovakia’s humanitarian progranmme. Operated in an international partnership between the government and non-governmental organisations – the Samaritan Association of the Slovak Republic and Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe of Austria and Germany – it provides an example of how government aircraft are being deployed beyond conventional state transport.
The Slovak government operates two ACJ319 aircraft to support state, rescue and humanitarian missions. In two years of operation, the Euracare flight and shelter programme has transported more than 900 people. Missions have included complex medical evacuations from Gaza as well as rapid repatriation from countries such as Egypt, Cyprus and Romania.
The extended range and flexible cabins of ACJ aircraft allow them to support a variety of state, evacuation and medical missions. Slovakia plans to expand its humanitarian fleet to increase passenger and cargo capacity.
ACJ’s current range includes the ACJ TwoTwenty, ACJ320neo, ACJ330neo and ACJ350.
