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Month: February 2023

Ten of the Best New Hotels Opening in Europe in 2023

Megha Sharma from The CEO Magazine – Reports

From boutique developments nestled atop mountains to charming estates finding a spot in bustling neighborhoods, these are the upcoming hotels to consider for your next Europe-bound vacation.It is a truth, universally acknowledged, that any traveler in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a vacation in the rolling hills and turquoise beach towns of Europe.

And this year, with a range of hotels opening their doors to visitors from across the world, the holiday spots to choose from are many. We round up a few that made our list.

Six Senses Crans-Montana, Switzerland
Located amidst the idyllic Swiss Alps in Crans-Montana, this property is reminiscent of fairy tales. The champagne skiing, mountain biking trails, paragliding, watersports, horseback or on-foot trekking, plus a range of other adventure activities, make it a must-visit spot for thrill-seekers. But that’s not all.

The culture devotees should take note that Crans-Montana is famous for its rich history and cultural heritage. In the old towns nearby, you can enjoy traditional Swiss architecture and a plethora of museums, art galleries, historic churches and monuments.

Besides this, a few winning features of the hotel are that it’s sun-soaked 300 days a year, houses a heated rooftop pool and offers the slope-side mountain living that sparks joy.

Bvlgari Roma, Rome, Italy
Italy is a melting pot of style and culture — and the Bvlgari establishment in Rome captures the spirit of both.

The highly anticipated luxury hotel boasts a sleek and modern design, staying true to the aesthetics of the brand. Its prime location in the heart of the Campo Marzio neighborhood, in close proximity to the Spanish Steps, the Bvlgari flagship store and Via Del Corso, add to its appeal.

It goes without saying that the property also boasts luxurious amenities, including more than 100 suites, a private spa, an indoor pool, a library dedicated to the history of jewelry as well as the prestigious Il Ristorante curated by Michelin-starred chef Niko Romito and The Bulgari Bar. The rooftop will offer sweeping views of the city.

COMO Le Montrachet Burgundy, France
COMO Le Montrachet offers an upscale experience in Burgundy – a French region known for its green landscapes, historical architecture and world-renowned red wines.

Surrounded by vineyards and wineries, the estate is an ideal holiday destination for food and wine aficionados, while also being a great escape from the city life. A case in point is the Shambhala retreat, a first-of-its-kind in the country, offering Tibetan Buddhist wellness treatments.

Set within four heritage buildings spread around a historical village square, COMO Le Montrachet offers luxury amenities, a huge gastronomic scene and a range of cultural experiences.

To top it all off, allow the hotel’s sommelier to guide you through the best wine selections from the region.

100 Princes Street Edinburgh, Scotland
With a design that honors the adventures of great Scottish explorers, this hotel offers a truly immersive experience to guests in the heart of a heritage city.

You can select delicious offerings from a curated menu that boasts rare libations, time-honored classics, delectable cocktails, exclusively hand-crafted spirits and Scotland’s “liquid gold”, before calling it a day at the fireside with a splendid view of Edinburgh Castle.

Inspired by Alexander McQueen, the design team at 100 Princes Street worked with local artisans to create bespoke pieces for the interiors. At the same time, the facade of the building adds to the charm of the striking architecture you’re privileged to witness in the locale.

One&Only Aesthesis Athens, Greece
Housed in a beautifully restored neoclassical building, which dates back to the early 20th century, One&Only Aesthesis is set to find favor among travelers who seek culture, quiet and seashores.

The hotel’s exclusive beachfront makes it a summer paradise, while its strategic location makes it a peaceful home just a few minutes away from the buzzing city.

Apart from several other luxury offerings, another winning feature is the Chenot Spa that combines science-based health and beauty expertise with alternative therapies.

The OWO Raffles London, England
A trip to Buckingham Palace, the British Museum and the like is the norm when visiting the English capital. The OWO Raffles is a stone’s throw away from many such significant sites, halving your hectic tube journeys on a relaxing vacation. However, that’s not why it’s one of the most sought-after hotels opening their doors this year.

The property’s elegant interior design, with luxurious furnishings and a refined decor, has a timeless appeal – something that is further enhanced by the cutting-edge amenities guests have access to.
These range from a Guerlain Spa with nine treatment rooms offering traditional beauty therapies to several restaurants and bars overseen by world-class chefs.

Apart from being an ideal holiday abode for tourists, it’s also suitable for business travelers and those attending events and weddings set to be hosted on the premises.

Pillows Grand Boutique Hotel Maurits at the Park, Amsterdam, Netherlands
If you’re visiting the Dutch capital, chances are that its range of museums, vintage stores, picturesque canals and lush parks will demand most of the space in your itinerary. But the soon-to-open Pillows Maurits is nestled snugly inside Oosterpark – a site you would spend a sunny afternoon at, in any case.

With the entire city just a few short walks or tram rides away and a calming yet lively ambience right at the doorstep, the property’s location offers the best of both worlds.

As for the indoors, the boutique hotel features a contemporary design with pops of artwork and color, luxurious rooms and suites with windows framing the green outdoors, an urban spa, authentic French and Italian cuisine and much more.

La Fantaisie Paris, France
If you visited Paris and didn’t observe either a stunning skyline or a bustling neighborhood from your French balconette, did you even visit Paris at all?

La Fantaisie, situated in the ninth arrondissement, has many such spaces that open onto beautiful Parisian streets, cityscapes and courtyards.

The property’s serene garden and spacious rooftop bar will make it stand out among sociable travelers, while the garden inspired spa offerings will make it a favored spot among those who look for a slower, calmer experience.

Son Bunyola Hotel Mallorca, Spain
British billionaire Richard Branson is all set to open his first luxury hotel in Spain. The establishment is restoring a historic finca – dating back to the 15th century.

With two restaurants, lounges, three private villas and outdoor dining terraces that overlook rolling hills and valleys, Son Bunyola promises to be a sight to behold and a luxury experience to revere.

Largely sustainable, it is utilizing traditional and local materials for the design and architecture; something that gives it an old-world charm, yet allows for guests’ modern-day requirements.

Hotel Vermelho Melides, Portugal
Culture and creativity come together at the newest offering in Portugal’s under-discovered beach town.

For those looking to travel slow and experience collected art, antique Portuguese furniture and treasured seasonal recipes, Hotel Vermelho will be the place to consider. Stationed on the Alentejo Coast, the village of Melides offers a view of the Atlantic Ocean, quiet cobbled streets waiting to be explored, vineyards and rice fields to chance upon and a lot more.

Offsetting the tranquil charm of its location are the hotel’s high-end amenities that cater to visitors’ ever-evolving lifestyle needs.

 

The Evolution of Ultra-luxury at Sea

Michael Wayne of the CEO Magazine – Reports

Experience unparalleled luxury at sea aboard the revolutionary new Scenic Eclipse II.

The luxury cruise industry is making a comeback by offering innovative, one-of-a-kind experiences at sea. One of the sector’s pioneers, Scenic, is set to reinvent the wheel yet again with a six-star ultra-luxury breakthrough. Some of the highest benchmarks in ultra-luxury travel have been set at sea. Five-star hotels and high-end travelers alike often look to the ocean for the latest innovations in luxuriant accommodation. The ultra-luxury cruise sector in particular has done the lion’s share when it comes to setting such an example, and a standout among that exclusive set is Scenic.

Since its inception nearly four decades ago, the Australian-founded company has been laser-focused on every detail of the guest experience. This has enabled Scenic to raise the standards of service, technology and all-inclusive ultra-luxury of the cruise industry to new heights.

Micro-innovations don’t send shockwaves through the sector, but they do make ripples that over time become waves. Scenic’s founders, Glen and Karen Moroney, have always believed that “true luxury is in the details”, and it’s these details that have shaped customer expectations and set what Scenic guests expect of a voyage on board Scenic Eclipse.

The Evolution of Ultra-luxury
Given the company’s impressive resume when it comes to ultra-luxury cruises and its Discovery Yachts, it may come as a surprise to learn that Scenic first took to the water in 2006, when it began to charter ships along the waterways of Europe.

After running river ships in Europe’s waterways for two years, Scenic’s owner decided to make the radical move to bring its ship design in-house. Thus, Scenic was able to create a fleet of 13 Space-Ships in seven years, and made it much easier to implement changes and redesigns that came as a result of guest feedback.

Scenic Eclipse II is really built from the bottom up to operate in the most extreme environments in the world.” – James Griffiths In fact, many of the innovations that set Scenic apart in the cruise industry have come from its customers. The introduction of Scenic’s sun lounge on its Space-Ships in Europe, for instance, is exemplary of Scenic’s dedication to opening up the world to its guests.

By combining sliding glass windows with guest balconies, Scenic provided a way for guests to enjoy Europe’s historic cities and towns passing by their suites with the touch of a button, no matter the weather. Scenic’s comprehensive range of on-board culinary experiences offer guests diversity of choice and round-the-clock dining in stark contrast to the usual cruise buffets.

A Commitment to Continuous Innovation
These improvements quickly set a formidable benchmark for Scenic’s five-star luxury river cruises, but it was the advent of the Scenic Eclipse in 2018 that elevated the company into a class of its own. The list of features boasted by the six-star ultra-luxury Scenic Eclipse almost reads like a rebuke to an industry that had become very set in its ways and happy to embrace expectations.

For starters, its 114 sophisticated suites, each with personalized butler service, allows for only 228 guests, creating a close to 1:1 ratio of guests-to-staff and a sense of exclusivity that shatters any assumptions of thousands of fellow travelers crowding the deck.

Everything else comes together to maintain the truly all-inclusive six-star ultra-luxury experience Scenic has worked hard to pioneer. Scenic Eclipse II will be the newest and most modern ultra-luxury expedition ship operating in remote East Antarctica and the Ross Sea region.” – Claudius Docekal

Scenic Eclipse is outfitted with a 550-meter-squared Senses Spa, featuring a full-bodied assortment of wellness treatments, including a dedicated Pilates and yoga studio; a specially designed marina for ease of boarding and accessing warm water activities; state-of-the-art GPS Dynamic Positioning, which spares sensitive seabeds from damaging anchor drops; and custom-built stabilizers to ensure greater stability and comfort.

But a standout feature, and one that best encapsulates Scenic’s sense of adventure, would have to be the range of elevated discovery options. While many cruises are known as floating hotels for a reason, Scenic Eclipse offers a truly amazing variety of ways for guests to explore beyond the bow.

Those looking to develop their sea legs can take a stand-up paddle board or kayak, or go exploring by Zodiac with the Scenic Discovery team, while a custom-designed submersible, Scenic Neptune, makes possible dives of up to 200 meters below deck for up to eight guests at a time.

To really get the most from Scenic’s destinations, Scenic Eclipse includes two Airbus H130-T2 helicopters for air excursions. As exciting as it is to see the world from above, this option takes on a new dimension in the polar regions.

A Seagoing Triumph
Never wanting to waste an opportunity, Scenic’s owners took the lessons learned from Scenic Eclipse’s first three years at sea and poured them into the company’s latest seagoing triumph – Scenic Eclipse II. This exciting new addition to the Scenic fleet will sail the seas of the Mediterranean, Arctic and Antarctic Peninsula before being based in the Southern Hemisphere. There, it will cruise the Kimberley, South Pacific and the seldom-explored East Antarctica and Ross Sea regions.

“Scenic Eclipse II will be the newest and most modern ultra-luxury expedition ship operating in these remote regions, setting the benchmark in providing once-in-a-lifetime journeys for our guests,” says Claudius Docekal, Scenic’s Vice President of Ocean Deployment.

“We’ve introduced these new voyages in response to the demand for exclusive destination experiences in the polar regions.”

“She’s able to go places that the absolute vast majority of cruise ships are unable to visit.” – James Griffiths

Built to the very highest standards, Scenic Eclipse II is the latest realization of Scenic’s vision of the ultimate ultra-luxury discovery and expedition ship. It is by design a Polar Class 6 vessel, meaning it can traverse the brisk waters of the poles with relative ease. This also makes an incredible 357 ports available to Scenic Eclipse II once it makes its inaugural journey from Lisbon to Barcelona in April 2023.

The ship’s list of features, which eclipses even its predecessor, makes it one of the most innovative ships to sail the world’s polar regions. The spirit of total inclusivity is alive and well from port to stern, meaning guests can achieve total relaxation knowing every element of their journey is in the most capable of hands.

“Scenic Eclipse II is really built from the bottom up to operate in the most extreme environments in the world and includes all the latest technologies available,” says James Griffiths, Scenic’s Vice President of Marine Operations and Captain of Scenic Eclipse II.

“She’s able to go places that the absolute vast majority of cruise ships are unable to visit. She really is the ultimate ultra-luxury yacht to cruise in regions around the world.”

A model of Scenic Eclipse II sits on a table in Griffiths’s office, perched on a transparent stand. The Captain gazes at the gleaming hull, the miniature decks, the compact stern. He considers the tiny approximation of the bridge he’ll soon make his workplace, and wonders what lies ahead.

This Soviet Superplane May Get a Second Life as a Luxury Commuter

Kevin Koenig from Robb Report – Reports

The hulking 380-ton Soviet aircraft, neglected for decades, signals the end of an era. But the next generation of ekranoplans could be used for luxury civilian transport.

Two years ago, Russian authorities pulled a “sea monster” from a remote military pier on the Caspian Sea, the world’s largest inland body of water. But this was no legendary Nessie swimming the depths of Loch Ness, but a 302-foot Lun-class ekranoplan. This hybrid boat-aircraft, built during the Cold War, weighed 380 tons, with a 148-foot wingspan and 340-mph top speed.

The military aircraft, designed to attack NATO nuclear submarines and aircraft carriers, entered service in 1987 and was decommissioned when the Soviet Union collapsed in the early 1990s. Since then, the Lun-class craft has spent three decades hidden away at a naval base on the Caspian Sea before being transported to a beach for eventual placement in a local maritime museum.

https://youtu.be/3VOzKuEhrMY
This was not the first of the gigantic ekranoplans devised by the Soviets. KM was developed in the 1960s and went into service in 1966. The largest aircraft at the time, the 340-footer had a reported top speed of 311 mph; some said it was closer 460 mph. Because it flew so low, it could not be detected by radar. Despite its speed and stealth powers, it was never used as a weapon of war. KM crashed in 1980 because of an inexperienced pilot at the throttles. It remains at the bottom of the Caspian Sea.

While the two failed ekranoplans sealed the fate of the giant Caspian Sea Monsters, the Russians recently announced a smaller 12-person version—nicknamed the “Little Sea Monster”—for civilian use. Other militaries and private companies in the US, Russia, China and Singapore are also experimenting with the ground-effect design.

The only model of the Soviet-made Lun-class ekranoplan is pictured on the shore of the Caspian sea near Derbent, in the Republic of Dagestan, Russia. This is the only rocket ekranoplane in the world, and it is planned to be the main exhibit of the branch of the Patriot Park in the southern military district. The ekranoplan was designed to fight aircraft carriers-unnoticed by radar, it could approach the ship at a distance of precise launch of the anti-ship missile “Mosquito”.

Positioned somewhere between a boat and aircraft, the ekranoplan does not fly like a conventional aircraft. It is a ground-effect vehicle that travels between six and 20 feet off the water. Ground effect is a phenomenon in which an aircraft’s lift increases and its drag decreases as the wings come in close contact with the ground. The air and pressure distortions can be a bane to airplane pilots, who sometimes feel their planes gliding along farther than intended during landing.

But the Soviets figured out a way to harness this natural cushion of air to create something practical, or so they thought. As tactical equipment, at least on paper, the giant ekranoplans are brilliant. They can take off vertically like a helicopter, hold as many troops as a ship, and fly as fast as an aeroplane. But the Sea Monsters never really achieved the objective of being fast, undetectable craft that could sink NATO warships. Rough weather and big seas prevented safe flights.

The market for ekranoplans is being revived—sort of. Last year, Russia announced it was selling six smaller ekranoplans to Iran for unspecified purposes, while a second Russian manufacturer recently said it had designed a 12-person ground-effect craft for civilian use.

Could there be a jump into the luxury market? That’s certainly what Singapore’s Wigetworks is planning with its Airfish 8. The craft is designed to carry eight passengers while soaring above water at 120 mph.

Regent also sees potential in the ekranoplan market, but in a much smaller envelope than the hulking Soviet warship. The US firm recently launched an unmanned, quarter-scale version of its Seaglider, the world’s first electric ekranoplan, which it is touting as a new means of coastal transportation.

Eventually, Regent plans to launch the 12-person Viceroy, with a 180-nautical mile range and top speed of 170 mph. The company says it plans to begin testing the full-scale craft later this year.

Image: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

Gulfstream Aerospace Makes the 100th Gulfstream G600 Customer Delivery

Izzy Kington from Business Jet Interiors International – Reports

Gulfstream Aerospace has made the 100th Gulfstream G600 customer delivery. The aircraft, delivered to a customer based in North America, was outfitted at Gulfstream’s Dallas (Texas) completions centre.

“The G600 continues to redefine excellence,” said Mark Burns, president, Gulfstream. “Thanks to its highly customisable cabin, fuel-efficient design and exceptional performance capabilities, we are seeing unwavering customer demand. The 100th G600 customer delivery is a testament to that excellence and surging popularity.”

The G600 can travel 6,600 nautical miles (12,223km) at Mach 0.85 or 5,600 nautical miles (10,371km) at Mach 0.90. The aircraft has set more than 35 city pair records around the world to date.

The G600 is also known for its award-winning interior and seat designs; can be configured in up to four living areas; and can seat up to 19 passengers. The aircraft features the Gulfstream Cabin Experience, designed to offer low noise levels; a low cabin altitude; 100% fresh air purified by a plasma ionisation clean air system; and abundant natural light from 14 panoramic oval windows.

The 100th G600 delivery follows the 100th delivery of its sister ship, the Gulfstream G500, which took place in the second half of 2022.

Will Bombardier’s Stock Price Keep Soaring in 2023?

Jitendra Parashar at The Motley Fool Canada – Reports

Bombardier (TSX:BBD.B) stock continues to rally in 2023. After delivering a solid 336% positive return in the last two years, the Canadian business jet manufacturer’s stock currently trades with 22.8% year-to-date gains at $64.17 per share in 2023, outperforming the Canadian stock market. By comparison, the TSX Composite Index has seen 5.8% gains this year so far.

Before we discuss whether Bombardier’s stock could keep soaring in 2023, let’s take a closer look at some key fundamental factors behind its surge in recent years.

What drove Bombardier stock up in recent years?
To find out why Bombardier stock has rallied sharply in recent years, we must first understand the key changes in its business strategy during this period. In 2015, the Dorval-headquartered company launched a five-year turnaround plan to de-risk its business and boost its earnings-growth potential with a focus on reducing costs and improving productivity. In the following years, the company announced its exit from the commercial aerospace and rail businesses to mainly focus on business jet manufacturing.

Bombardier faced massive COVID-19-driven operational challenges in 2020. As a result, its stock lost more than 75% of its value that year. Although these challenges continued for the aerospace business the next year, the demand for its business jet surprisingly showcased strength in 2021. In September 2021, Bombardier provided a major update to its extremely popular Challenger 350 platform by unveiling the Challenger 3500 aircraft, which largely received a positive response from individual customers as well as fleet operators. These positive developments triggered a big rally in Bombardier’s share prices, which jumped 250% in 2021 from $12 to $42 per share.

Besides these improvements in its fundamental outlook, Bombardier’s continued to make progress in deleveraging while maintaining the pace of its aircraft deliveries. This is one of the key reasons why its share price has been rallying lately.

Can it continue soaring in 2023?
While Bombardier stock has already surged by nearly 23% in 2023, it could just be the start of a spectacular long-term rally. Last year, the business jet manufacturer delivered 123 aircraft, pushing its revenue up by 14% year over year to US$6.9 billion. Despite macroeconomic uncertainties, it posted a surprise adjusted net profit of US$0.74 per share in 2022 against Street analysts’ expectation of a loss of US$0.64 per share.

Bombardier now estimates to deliver more than 138 aircraft in 2023. It has guided its revenue for the year to be over US$7.6 billion, reflecting a solid 10% growth from a year ago, despite continued worries about a looming recession, labour shortages, and inflationary pressures. Moreover, the business jet maker estimates its 2023 adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) to be above US$1.12 billion against its adjusted EBITDA of US$930 million in 2022.

In the last couple of years, the company has expanded its service centre network equipped with skilled technicians, which it expects to be a key driver for its business growth in the ongoing year. Given its solid financial growth outlook, focus on deleveraging, and strong demand for its aircraft, I expect Bombardier stock to keep soaring in 2023 to outperform the broader market by a wide margin.

Bill Gates Defends his Private Planes

Li Cohen from Yahoo News – Reports

Bill Gates, one of the world’s richest people, is a staunch advocate for the fight against climate change – but he also frequently uses a private jet, which has led to questions about authenticity when it comes to his activism. Now, Gates has come under fire for his response when asked last week if his jet use makes him a hypocrite.

In an interview published last week, Gates spoke with BBC journalist Amol Rajan, who asked the Microsoft co-founder, “What do you say to the charge that if you are a climate change campaigner, but you also travel around the world on a private jet, you’re a hypocrite?”

Gates was quick to defend his actions, saying he’s “not part of the problem.”
“I buy the gold standard of funding Climeworks to do direct air capture that far exceeds my family’s carbon footprint and I spend billions of dollars on climate innovation,” he said.

Gates has been fairly open about his private plane, saying on Reddit nearly a decade ago that “owning a plane is a guilty pleasure.” According to aircraft charter broker Private Jet Charter, Gates has four private jets, a seaplane and a helicopter, although CBS News has not confirmed this information.
“Warren Buffett called his the Indefensible. I do get to a lot of places for Foundation work I wouldn’t be able to go to without it,” he said, saying a year later that it’s his “big splurge.”

Climeworks says it uses technology to “capture carbon dioxide directly from the air” and place it in underground storage.

But this method of offsetting carbon emissions isn’t yet as refined as it needs to be, according to the International Energy Agency. As of last year, there are just 18 small-scale DAC plants across the U.S., Europe and Canada. And right now, according to the IEA, the process for direct air capture “is more energy intensive and therefore expensive than capturing it from a point source,” a process that entails capturing CO2 emissions from something like an industrial facility so that it doesn’t get emitted in the first place.
Commercial and large business jets contribute 10% of U.S. transportation emissions and make up 3% of the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions, according to the Environmental and Energy Study Institute, citing the EPA.

And according to the World Resource Institute, while direct air capture is a positive tool in helping reduce the amount of the greenhouse gas in the atmosphere, the reduction of fossil fuel use in the first place is just as, if not more important.

“Scientists indicate we will need both faster emissions reduction and carbon removal,” the institute says, “and the amount of carbon removal needed is inversely proportional to how deeply we are able to cut emissions.”
Still, Gates, said, “Should I stay at home and not come to Kenya and learn about farming and malaria?” referring to his trip to the African nation in January to learn about changing farming practices amid climate change.
“I’m comfortable with the idea that not only am I not part of the problem by paying for the offsets,” he said, “but also through the billions that my Breakthrough Energy group is spending that I’m part of the solution.”
Gates’ Breakthrough Energy is an initiative started to help accelerate technology and innovation to help tackle the climate crisis through five “grand challenges” – manufacturing, electricity, agriculture, transportation and buildings. According to a December report by Reuters, Gates has invested more than $2 billion toward climate technologies.

Gates, who was listed as the world’s fourth-richest person in Forbes last year with a net worth of $129 billion, has been questioned about his private jet usage before. On “60 Minutes” in 2021, Anderson Cooper asked the billionaire if he’s “the right messenger” in climate activism.
“You fly private planes a lot. And you’re creating a lot of greenhouse gases yourself,” Cooper pointed out.

Gates responded, “Yeah. I probably have one of the highest greenhouse gas footprints on the planet. … My personal flying alone is gigantic.”
But, he added that he’s “spending quite a bit” to use plant-based aviation fuel. He also said that he uses an electric car and solar panels, as well as spends about $7 million a year to offset his carbon footprint.

European Business Aviation Could Show Resilience in 2023

Avia Solutions Group – Reports

The first month of 2023 started with high private jet demand in the European region and other parts of the world. By the close of the last quarter of 2022, European private jet operators had completed over 600,000 business jet flights to various global destinations, making it one of the busiest years in flight activity in the past three years. The growing demand for private flying among air passengers signals a promising future in this aviation segment this year.

A growing number of air passengers are taking advantage of business aviation memberships to increase their access to private jet services. Noticeably, many companies in this segment have noted a surge in the number of passengers – including regular flyers and first-timers – booking charter flights, pushing the demand for private jet flights higher.

A Decline Since the Pandemic
Like other companies operating commercial passenger and cargo flights, the business aviation segment experienced a noteworthy decline in activity since the pandemic and into the last two years. During this period, almost all commercial airlines halted or slowed their operations to some destinations worldwide. At first, this situation made more passengers develop an interest in private flying, but this did not offset the challenges that the business aviation segment confronted at that time. Looking ahead, aviation experts predict a growth in business aviation activity in 2023, despite the uncertainty and volatility witnessed in this segment in the last two quarters of 2022. “As we move into the first and second quarters of 2023, the market should sustain a higher service demand and business aviation activity compared to the previous year,” according to KlasJet CEO Rita Domkute. Current forecasts indicate that the private jet segment will return an annual market growth rate of about 5%-10% in 2023 compared to pre-pandemic activity.

In spite of the promising prospects about a possible business jet demand boom, the recessionary outlook observed in many countries, particularly in the European region, could result in an unexpected market decline into 2023. Nonetheless, the business aviation market in Europe and other parts of the world, including North America, looks more resilient and encouraging, with low to modest declines vis-à-vis figures reported last year.

Findings from aviation market surveys show that over 94% of passengers who shifted to business aviation during the pandemic have continued to take private flights, primarily because of the convenience, flexibility, degree of personalization, and other advantages this environment offers. While the demand for regular private jet flights has declined in the past two years from 57% in 2021 to 40% in 2022, it is apparent that this aviation sector has become increasingly democratised, as evidenced by the high number of ‘covid flyers’ who have continued seek private flying services.

Many celebrities, prominent business persons, and government officials have been on the receiving end for their excessive use of private jets while taking short trips to various destinations. A report by a European clean transport organisation, Transport & Environment (T&E), has labelled private flying as one of the leading sources of environmental pollution. On average, private planes contribute more than 14 times air pollution per passenger compared to commercial airliners. Besides, private jets contribute more than 50% in environmental emissions than trains, which points to their adverse contributions to the global sustainability agenda on climate change mitigation.

A Current Trend of Jet Bashing
A compelling question is how sensitive operators have become and their response to the growing criticisms and shaming against private flyers. In 2022 and early into 2023, prominent business persons, oligarchs, and celebrities like Elon Musk, Bernard Arnault, Taylor Swift, and Drake expressed their sensitivity to privacy issues after learning that some social media users were tracking their private flights and raising critical concerns about their contribution to environmental emissions. With the current trend toward jet bashing and growing criticisms over private flying, there is a high likelihood that the business aviation market may lose some of its clientele as more passengers explore other travel options, including taking one-off on-demand charter flights, private jet sharing, leasing aircraft to acquire fractional ownership, or becoming jet card members.

In view of such unfavorable prospects, business aviation must justify its position and current efforts to reduce its contribution toward environmental pollution. While many operators may consider this a risky and causeless exercise, the private aviation segment stands to gain from focused investments in aviation innovation through “green aircraft” projects and other sustainability initiatives. Therefore, accelerating innovation and implementing sustainability projects to minimise carbon emissions from the private aviation segment are the central issues that jet manufacturers like Boeing and Gulfstream must deal with in 2023.

‘’Business aviation companies will continue to deal with uncertainties while predicting the ever-changing market demand from private air passengers this year’’, asserts KlasJet CEO Rita Domkute. Expectedly, the changing global economic environment may considerably impact private jet demand in many countries worldwide. However, business aviation customers will likely diversify into other travel options, which may considerably impact business travel activity and overall returns for leading players in this industry sector. Furthermore, more customers may become inclined to other air travel practices, including jet card memberships, charter flights, and fractional private jets, given their growing popularity, flexibility, accessibility, and other conceived benefits as sustainable alternatives for business flying.

 

The Europe Business Jet Market to Register a CAGR of 3.87%.

Yahoo Finance – Reports

The Europe Business Jet Market is projected to register a CAGR of 3.87%.

Key Highlights
Largest Market by Body Type – Large Jet: The increasing popularity of large jets due to their comfort, convenience, and ability to travel long distances is projected to drive the demand for large jets in the region.Fastest-growing Market by Body Type – Light Jet: Regional air travel and the capability to access remote airports/locations are making light jets more attractive to customers, therefore driving their demand in the market.

Largest Market by Country – Germany: The procurement of large jets by various companies or individuals across different sectors is driving the market’s growth in the country.

Key Market Trends
Large Jet is the largest segment by Body Type.

Business jet deliveries in Europe were affected during the COVID-19 pandemic, registering a decline of 17.5% in 2020 compared to 2019. The global travel restrictions and limited passenger travel affected the procurement of business jets, thus negatively impacting the growth of the European business jet market during the pandemic.

However, the recovery of business aviation in 2021 was more sustained compared to 2020. Major leisure destinations recorded significant growth in flight activity and passenger traffic, indicating the substantial contribution of leisure to business aviation. The growth was inconsistent across the year, as several months in 2021 saw a drop in demand compared to 2019. This growth is expected to improve in 2022 with the opening of more routes.

European business jet demand surged by 53% in January 2022 compared to January 2021. In 2020, the recovery of the European business aviation sector was better than the commercial aviation sector, which declined by around 74% compared to 12% in business aviation.

In 2021, Bombardier became the leading OEM in terms of business jet deliveries with 36 aircraft, followed by Embraer, Pilatus, Cessna, Gulfstream, and CIRRUS, with 21, 17, 15, and 10 deliveries, respectively.

In terms of overall operational fleet size, Cessna was the leading OEM, with 30% of the current operational fleet size, followed by Bombardier and Dassault, with 23% and 14%, respectively, in the European business jet fleet as of July 2022. The surge in UHNWI individuals in the region is expected to aid the business jet segment in the region. Around 200+ aircraft are expected to be delivered during 2022-2028.

Germany is the largest segment by Country.

Currently, Europe accounts for around 12% of the global business jet fleet, with Germany leading the region with 18% of the total European business jet fleet, followed by the United Kingdom and France, with around 11% and 10%, as of August 2022. The COVID-19 pandemic adversely impacted business jet deliveries in the region, with a decline of 17.5% in 2020. There has been a shift toward private flying as a safer mode of transportation among the HNWI population in the region, aiding in procuring business jets.

In 2021, air charter service providers witnessed high demand in the European region and a surge in new memberships for business aviation. In 2021, major Europe-based air charter service provider Vistajet registered a growth of around 53% in new memberships during the first half of 2021 compared to 2020. Of the new memberships, more than 50% belong to the European region.

The summer of 2021 saw 90,000+ business aviation flights, of which 38% and 15% were completed by light jets and mid-size jets, respectively. According to the major European charter service providers, demand increased significantly toward the end of 2021 and managed to surpass 2019 pre-pandemic traffic levels. Business aviation traffic has been approximately 20-30% more than in 2019 since August 2021. Due to such strong demand, charter jet service companies are expanding their fleets to meet the growing demand.For instance, in July 2021, Flexjet, part of the Directional Aviation family, received an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) for Malta as part of its European expansion. The aircraft operator increased its European fleet by 40% in the first half of 2021.

Competitive Landscape
The Europe Business Jet Market is fairly consolidated, with the top five companies occupying 91.27%. The major players in this market are Bombardier Inc., Dassault Aviation, Embraer, General Dynamics Corporation and Textron Inc. (sorted alphabetically).

Honda to Start Manufacturing Sustainable Aviation Fuel

Japan’s national newspaper, Yomiuri Shimbun – Reports

Honda Motor Co. is to start manufacturing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), it has been learned. SAF, which has been touted as a means of significantly reducing carbon dioxide emissions, can be made from used cooking oil, household waste and algae, among other materials. By using SAF, CO2 emissions can be cut by more than half, compared to crude oil-based fuels. Honda will expand its algae-cultivating business at plants in Japan and overseas, with an eye on practical application of the fuel in the 2030s. Cultured algae can be used to absorb CO2 emissions produced in automobile manufacturing.

Yomiuri Shimbun file photo

Japan currently relies on imports for its SAF, which has been attracting attention as a way to decarbonize the aviation industry. Observers say Honda’s new business could provide a fillip to domestic SAF production. Honda has begun collaborating with a domestic energy-related company over production and distribution of SAF.

Airplanes that produce high levels of CO2 emissions are often criticized overseas. According to the Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry, aircraft emitted 98 grams of CO2 per kilometer for each passenger in fiscal 2019, far exceeding the figures for trains (17 grams) and buses (57 grams).

Honda Motor Co.’s HondaJet small business jet is seen in July 2018

In October, the International Civil Aviation Organization — a specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes cooperation in the field of aviation — adopted a goal to reduce the CO2 emissions of international flights to net-zero by 2050. Global supply of SAF currently accounts for less than 1% of annual aviation fuel consumption, so competition to procure SAF among airline companies is likely to intensify in the future.

Honda believes that if it can procure and utilize SAF independently, it will be able to increase the competitiveness of its HondaJet small business jet and a “flying car,” which it is currently developing as a new generation means of transportation. The government has set a goal of using SAF for 10% of the fuel used by Japanese airline companies by 2030.

SAF is not yet being commercially produced in Japan, but changes are afoot. Petroleum wholesaler Eneos Corp. and major trading house Mitsubishi Corp. are considering jointly commercializing supplies of SAF. Real estate firm Mitsubishi Estate Co. and major plant operator JGC Holdings Corp., meanwhile, are cooperating to collect used cooking oil for use in SAF manufacturing.

UK’s First Private Jets for Pets Airline Prepares for Take-off

Milo Boyd from UK’s Daily Mirror – Reports

K9 JETS will start by flying cats, dogs, parrots and rabbits between the East Coast of the US, London, Paris and Lisbon, with tickets costing from £7,100 for an owner and their pet.

The UK’s first private jet company for pets has been flooded with request ahead of its launch later this month. Although tickets for the first K9 JETS flight don’t even go on sale until the end of February, 2,200 people have already registered their interested in the service. Owners and their pets will clamber aboard a luxury Gulfstream jet that seats no more than ten passengers with their pets and take off on routes between the East Coast of the US, London, Paris and Lisbon. Tickets start at £7,100, which includes space for one human and their pet, as well as private terminal fees, luggage and all taxes. While the service will mostly cater for the cats and dogs market, creatures including parrots and rabbits are welcomed, so long as all of their paperwork is in order.

The firm will start selling tickets later this month ( Image: Copyright Paul Clarke www.paulclarke.com Moral rights asserted)
K9 JETS was founded by Birmingham based executive assistant Kirsty and pilot Adam Golder, who currently run more traditional private jet firm G6 AVIATION which generally caters for “high net worth families, music moguls, footballers, and royal families”. They spotted a gap in the market in 2022 amid to a surge in demand from pet owners relocating from the UK to the US and vice versa, who were terrified of condemning their mutts and moggies to commercial aircraft. Anna Baines, who does PR for K9 Jets, explained to the Mirror how the system works.

“The passengers form a group and share the cost of a private charter where dogs can sit by their owner’s lap or snooze by their feet, rather than subjecting their beloved pets to cargo in a commercial aircraft,” she said.

“Chartering a private jet is a luxury service, however, with the opportunity to purchase a seat rather than a whole jet, it makes it more in reach for those who want to travel or relocate across the Atlantic.” The company has already been flooded with inquiries.

(Image: Paul Clarke. Copyright Paul Clarke www.paulclarke.com Moral rights asserted)

“People are also working more flexibly in a remote manner, which means it’s easier to work from a home in a different country, opening up new experiences for home working. The price tag of moving a pet abroad varies hugely depending on the means of transport and the destination country, but it typically costs several thousand pounds to make a UK to US move.

Madison and James Miller recently found the emotional toll was much higher than this when their dog Bluebell ended up in Saudi Arabia rather than the US following a British Airways mix-up. Anna says that some pet owners aren’t willing to fly commercial, and aren’t able to book a place on the pet friendly cruise liner the Queen Mary 2 due to very high demand. On the flights themselves dogs must be on their leads and cats in their carriers, with a member of staff providing refreshments throughout the flight. Over the past year a number of animals have flown on the non-pet specialist G6 AVIATION, including a 84kg Great Dane, an 11kg French Bulldogs and a number of different cat species.

Heike Ritter recently flew her 12 dogs to Germany aboard a chartered G6 jet.

“Everybody can imagine how stressful such a move already is on its own,” she told The Mirror.

“G6 was always available to answer any questions or concerns, but they were also proactive by sharing and communicating all kinds of logistics with us.”

The launch of the airline is unlikely to be welcomed by environmental activists, given the much higher impact of private jets per passenger than commercial ones. Broadly speaking, the more passengers on a plane, the less severe its impact on the environment is. In just one hour, a single private jet can emit two tonnes of CO2 – meaning a trans-Atlantic flight would clock up around 12.

Split between the ten people aboard a K9 JETS flights, that’s 1.2 tonnes of CO2 each – roughly four times the amount produced per economy seat passenger on a commercial jet. The average person in the EU emits 8.2 tCO2eq over the course of an entire year, by way of comparison, according to Transport Environment.

3 Key Business Reasons to Own a Jet

AZ Big Media – Reports

Owning a jet is a luxury, of course. But while it may be a significant investment upfront, private jet ownership can significantly boost your business operations—particularly if you’re a C-suite executive in any sized company. In the short run, you and your immediate sphere of influence get a massive quality-of-life increase when you own a jet. In the long run: your bottom line’s potential is the moon.

The experts at Paradise Jets say private jet ownership can be the difference between a struggling executive and a well-oiled business machine. We sat down with them to talk about the three main benefits behind owning your own jet and how it can improve your (and your company’s) life.

Reason #1: Time
It’s an age-old question: how long should you arrive at the airport before a commercial flight? The jury will forever be out on this one, but the industry consensus recommends travelers arrive about two hours before their departure. For a daily round- trip, that’s four hours of dead time, and that doesn’t include travel to and from airports to business locations.

Imagine what you could do with that time.

As a private jet owner, your flight is beholden to a single passenger: you. While you can’t eliminate all downtime for things like travel time, crew preparations and pre-flight checks, the amount of time saved is astronomical.

Reason #2: Operational Productivity
With thousands of airports available for private planes in the United States, jet ownership means the world for efficiency and productivity. With your own jet, you’ll be able to:

  • Land closer to your business destination
  • Eliminate crowds and lines
  • Significantly reduce transportation wait times
  • Remove anxiety about lost luggage, delays or security issues

Put simply, flying private gets rid of the frustrating minutia that comes with commercial flight. You’ll waste less energy on hoop-jumping and save it for things that really move the needle (and save your business money).

Reason #3: Privacy andPower
Few things put you out of your comfort zone faster than being crammed in a metal tube with 100 other travelers for hours at a time. Getting work done on a mobile device is made infinitely harder and mid-flight phone calls are entirely out of the question, especially if your business is confidential.

Owning a jet puts all that behind you. Not only do you gain the freedom and flexibility to work and relax freely about your cabin in-flight, but you also never need to suspend the comfort that supports your emotional confidence. That “home-field” feeling that empowers C-suite executives to command the room? You’ll always have it when you step off your private jet.

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