Magnus Aviation, a UK-based private jet charter business, has confirmed a huge increase in bookings over the summer period as a result of commercial flight delays and cancellations across mainland Europe, and also security fears following terrorist attacks. As reflected in industry data provided by WINGX and EUclaim, Magnus Aviation has experienced a 40% rise in flight bookings from London to France over May and August, compared with the same period in 2015.
Other stats show a rise in bookings from London to Belgium of 20%, while private aviation flights departing the UK as a whole are said to have increased 2.1%, again over the same summer period.
In July, there were 11.2% more flights from the UK to France than the same month the previous year, with European commercial flight delays and cancellations in July and August said to be 28% higher than normal for this time.
James Armstrong, head of commercial development, Magnus Aviation, said, “We have definitely seen an increase in bookings since the recent terrorist attacks in mainland Europe and the rise in commercial flights being cancelled or delays. The benefit of flying privately is that passengers often avoid the busy main terminals and fly in and out of dedicated business jet terminals with VIP lounges and handling. Some clients prefer to fly to and from these private terminals or avoid the main airports altogether, therefore bypassing the bigger ones which could face heightened security risks.”
