© Courtesy of Air Charter Service
D
espite the health and safety measures
In the Maldives, hotels rely on privately-
being taken by the aviation industry, the
operated seaplanes to transport guests from
thought of spending several hours in the
the capital’s main international airport, but The
enclosed cabin of a 500-seat aeroplane doesn’t
Nautilus – a recently refurbished resort on the
really appeal right now. The global pandemic has
Baa Atoll – has taken the idea a step further.
all but put a stop to holidays, weekend breaks and
In partnership with Dominvs Aviation, it is now
business trips, with travellers understandably
offering private jet transportation direct from
apprehensive about crowded airports, confined
London. The ultra-luxury travel experience
cabins and being in close proximity to others.
begins with a with a non-stop flight on board
For those who just can’t go without their
a Bombardier 6000, departing at the guest’s
annual getaway, private jets have stepped
convenience from a private jet terminal at one
in to save the day. Benefitting from flexible
of London’s airports. Bypassing the crowds at
departures, speedy boarding and limited capacity,
Velana International Airport in the Maldives, the
charter services provide the peace of mind that
jet will land directly at Noonu Atoll’s Maafaru
passengers demand. As such, many operators are
Airport, where the resort’s yacht awaits, ready
reporting a rise in bookings. “We have seen a
to sail guests to their island escape.
The Jet Set As travelling en masse loses its appeal, could private jets help save the hospitality sector?
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dramatic increase in new enquiries for private
A number of other private jet companies have
jet travel,” comments Justin Bowman, CEO at Air
been expanding their routes and highlighting
Charter Service. “With many commercial flights
their ability to offer crowd-free travel. Aero for
still grounded and the post-pandemic traveller
example, has launched in Europe, with routes
favouring hygiene, personal space and flexibility,
between London, Ibiza, Mykonos and Nice. Billed
private air travel provides a secure and hygienic
as a new category of travel that bridges the gap
means to get from A to B.”
between commercial and private charter flights,
The UK-based charter broker has also entered
the Silicon Valley start-up offers direct first-class
into a partnership with Mandarin Oriental,
flights via private terminals on shared jets. The
facilitating tailored flights to any of the group’s
experience allows passengers to skip the lines
properties around the world. Such affiliations
and avoid the crowds, while the jet itself features
mean that family groups can travel safely in their
hand-stitched leather seats, generous legroom
own bubble, while for Mandarin Oriental, it could
and guaranteed window views thanks to the
mean more heads in beds.
singular seating configuration. Aero also states
This trend was already beginning to take-
that it is committed to ensuring the wellbeing of
off pre-Covid. In 2018, Anantara announced a
its passengers, with mandatory face coverings,
partnership with MJets to provide transportation
low-contact services via an app and regular jet
between its signature properties, and in 2019,
sanitation. With prices starting at €825, Aero’s
Aman launched into the air space with its
service is more affordable than most, but with
own specially designed Bombardier Global
European travellers traditionally driven by price,
5000, described as an airborne extension of its
it will be interesting to see whether they will now
hospitality philosophies on land.
put greater value on their health.
