Qatar Airways said revenue at its private jet subsidiary rose 26% last year, reflecting continued growing demand for its more exclusive product as wealthy families and business groups opt for the flexibility of smaller aircraft.
“Demand is strong,” said Thierry Antinori, the airline’s commercial director, in an interview in Dubai. “We are capturing a larger share of the market and are therefore able to sell even more flights than we have on offer.”
Private jets became a hot luxury item during the pandemic as wealthy travelers sought isolation and security, although that demand has waned in recent years with the resumption of scheduled commercial services.
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Qatar Airways’ fleet includes 20 corporate jets, mainly from Gulfstream, which operate globally. A flight on one of these aircraft can cost three to four times more than a premium ticket on the company’s commercial flight, according to Antinori.
As the company seeks to expand its presence in the sector, it is considering obtaining an air operator certificate in Europe to facilitate services on the continent, Antinori said. The most popular routes for its private jets include leisure destinations such as the Maldives and Seychelles, as well as important business centers such as London and New York.
Group travel has been a growing trend since the pandemic, with the majority of bookings made by families or corporate teams, according to the company.
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Other airlines in the region also operate private jets, including Saudia, Saudi Arabia’s national airline, and Flynas, a low-cost airline based in Riyadh. Emirates, from Dubai, operates an Airbus SE business jet, while Middle East Airlines, from Lebanon, offers two Embraer Legacy 500 jets for private charters.
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