With Covid-19 now putting the world’s largest and most fragile communities in harm’s way, rich Chinese have been pulling out their wallets to bring children studying abroad home. In one case, the world’s only private Boeing 787 Dreamliner was charted to fly with 40 passengers from London to Shanghai.
Most airlines may be on the brink of bankruptcy (many already are) but business in the private jet sector is booming. A spike in inquires and flights began about a month ago, as the big boys of aviation stopped flying and the coronavirus took hold.
Christine is a marketing manager at a private jet firm in Beijing. Not authorised to speak with media, she gave only her first name in a story published by ECNS.
“We have surging inquiries for international flights, mostly parents of students studying in Europe, especially London and the US”, she said.
“The parents watch the news about the US situation. They fear their children would contract the disease or be discriminated against in the US.”
- 11,800 Km Airlift; Nanjing via Alaska to New York and Michigan!
- Trains and Railways to the Rescue in Fight Against Covid-19
- Nice to See You Again! When Can I Take off My Face Mask?
Life, of course, comes before money. For those who have it, private jets, such as the 14-seat Bombardier Challenger 850, go for an hourly rate of about US$10,000.
The price tag did not put off the parents of two Chinese students studying at university in San Francisco. An aviation consultant helped to source a private jet to bring the pair home for US$250,000.
This isn’t just another story about Chinese conspicuous consumption; tickets on commercial airlines have become gold dust. The government’s restrictions on the continuation of air links with other countries are for only one weekly flight to one destination in any one country.
- When will the Schools Reopen and what Happens then?
- Nanjing-Helsinki Looks Safe but Airlines to Lose US$252 Billion
- Korean Air on Brink of Collapse; Most Airlines Bankrupt by May
Demand is through the roof; supply is almost zero. As a result, a ticket between the US and China that used to cost US$600 now goes for more than US$2,000. The private jets are looking increasingly competitive.
So it was that last month, the world’s only private Boeing 787 “Dreamliner”, flew from London to Shanghai, via Geneva, bringing home 40 passengers. Each had shelled out ¥180,000 for the flight that took place on 18 March.
Operator of the “luxury evacuation”, Deer Jet is the private jet division of Beijing Capital Airlines. According to the Deer Jet website, their 787 Dreamliner and its crew present “7-star hospitality standards to deliver best-in-class inflight butler services”.
The US$200-million aircraft features first-class style, fulling-reclining seating, a spacious lounge with sofas and dining for 16 persons, plus a master bathroom and bedroom for two.
Not surprisingly, all 40 seats were sold out quickly, reported Beijing News.
The private jet boom for flights to China is certain to not last long. Tougher restrictions are expected that may also curtail private jet operations. In the meantime, the mantra for private jet firms everywhere remains make hay while the sun shines.
