Private air travel looks set to soar into a new era as the wealthy take to the skies in executive jets for increased privacy and less exposure to others during an ongoing pandemic.
Business aviation is forecast to thrive in the next decade, with four to five per cent growth, according to a Honeywell Global Business Aviation report, and $235 billion worth of new executive jet deliveries expected before 2030.
The business jet market is booming, with Covid one of the big drivers of that boost
Evgeny Andrachnikov,
Irkut Corporation
That potential market was clear to see at Dubai Airshow, where some of the latest luxury aircraft were on display.
From the $50 million Aurus business jet, which can be configured into a flying hotel, hospital or sports team transporter, to a share in a $6m HondaJet APMG aircraft, there was something on show for a wide range of budgets.
“We have had really high interest from high-profile visitors to the show,” said Evgeny Andrachnikov, deputy general director of VIP and corporate jets at the Irkut Corporation, which sells the Russian-made Aurus business jet.
“The business jet market is booming, with Covid one of the big drivers of that boost.
“There are about 680 new jets sold annually across the world. In Russia, there are a lot of owners of business jets.”
Purchasers of high-end jets usually fall into three categories, high-net-worth individuals, federal agencies and governments or corporations.
The manufacturers of Aurus claim it is an “economically attractive aircraft” when considering fuel consumption.
Mr Andrachnikov said it produces 1.8 tonnes of carbon emissions per flight hour – slightly lower than the two tonnes average.
“Private jets are highly customisable products,” he said.
“The biggest takeaway for us has been a long list of serious interest from buyers that we can take back to Russia.
“Our competitors are backed up with orders and they have a completion time in Europe and the US of at least 24 months,” Mr Andrachnikov said
“Our working arrangements are much more flexible and we are capable of delivering this size of aircraft within nine to 12 months. That is what makes us different.”
Adaptable luxury, at a price
The rising popularity in private jets has been reflected in the number of flights in and out of the UAE.
In May, the Mohammed bin Rashid Aerospace Hub reported an increase of 336 per cent in the movement of private and business aircraft, compared to the same period of 2020.
But costs still remain prohibitive.
At a cool $75 million, one of the most popular private jets on the market is the Bombardier Global 7500.
Billed as “the industry flagship”, it is the world’s largest and longest range, purpose-built business jet capable of travelling more than 14,000 kilometres.
Environmental consideration
A cheaper alternative to buying outright is shared ownership, which has the added benefit of offering the convenience of private air travel, with less of the environmental impact.
JetClub is a hybrid, co-ownership programme, set to launch in the UAE and GCC after a high-profile staging at the Dubai Airshow.
Clients can purchase a share in a private plane, and in return get to use a jet for a certain number of days a year.
“You can buy a fraction of the jets from an eighth, quarter or half – depending on your level of investment,” said Hugo Gaden, charter sales manager for JetClub.
“There is an acquisition fee and a management fee, and it works out a lot cheaper than other options on the private business jet market.”
Prices depend on the location – hourly rates are around $1,600 per hour in the US, and €2,500 ($2,800) per hour in Europe.
An eighth share of the aircraft will give 35 days of flying time, with a 1,000 nautical mile range if carrying two passengers, and shorter distance if there are more passengers on board.
There is a five-year contract, after which owners recover 40 per cent of their investment.
Acquisition fees start at around $600,000 for an eighth share in a HondaJet APMG which has capacity for five passengers.
“We have an aircraft based in Paris and we are flying five or six times a day. Around 90 per cent of our flights are chartered, as we are still selling shares in the aircraft,” said Mr Gaden.
“Demand is very high.”
Washmen Profile
Date Started: May 2015
Founders: Rami Shaar and Jad Halaoui
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Laundry
Employees: 170
Funding: about $8m
Funders: Addventure, B&Y Partners, Clara Ventures, Cedar Mundi Partners, Henkel Ventures
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
The years Ramadan fell in May
Four%20scenarios%20for%20Ukraine%20war
%3Cp%3E1.%20Protracted%20but%20less%20intense%20war%20(60%25%20likelihood)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E2.%20Negotiated%20end%20to%20the%20conflict%20(30%25)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E3.%20Russia%20seizes%20more%20territory%20(20%25)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E4.%20Ukraine%20pushes%20Russia%20back%20(10%25)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cem%3EForecast%20by%20Economist%20Intelligence%20Unit%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
MATCH INFO
Cricket World Cup League Two
Oman, UAE, Namibia
Al Amerat, Muscat
Results
Oman beat UAE by five wickets
UAE beat Namibia by eight runs
Namibia beat Oman by 52 runs
UAE beat Namibia by eight wickets
UAE v Oman - abandoned
Oman v Namibia - abandoned
Going grey? A stylist's advice
If you’re going to go grey, a great style, well-cared for hair (in a sleek, classy style, like a bob), and a young spirit and attitude go a long way, says Maria Dowling, founder of the Maria Dowling Salon in Dubai.
It’s easier to go grey from a lighter colour, so you may want to do that first. And this is the time to try a shorter style, she advises. Then a stylist can introduce highlights, start lightening up the roots, and let it fade out. Once it’s entirely grey, a purple shampoo will prevent yellowing.
“Get professional help – there’s no other way to go around it,” she says. “And don’t just let it grow out because that looks really bad. Put effort into it: properly condition, straighten, get regular trims, make sure it’s glossy.”
JAPAN SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Masaaki Higashiguchi, Shuichi Gonda, Daniel Schmidt
Defenders: Yuto Nagatomo, Tomoaki Makino, Maya Yoshida, Sho Sasaki, Hiroki Sakai, Sei Muroya, Genta Miura, Takehiro Tomiyasu
Midfielders: Toshihiro Aoyama, Genki Haraguchi, Gaku Shibasaki, Wataru Endo, Junya Ito, Shoya Nakajima, Takumi Minamino, Hidemasa Morita, Ritsu Doan
Forwards: Yuya Osako, Takuma Asano, Koya Kitagawa
SEMI-FINAL
Monterrey 1
Funes Mori (14)
Liverpool 2
Keita (11), Firmino (90 1)
The bio
Favourite vegetable: Broccoli
Favourite food: Seafood
Favourite thing to cook: Duck l'orange
Favourite book: Give and Take by Adam Grant, one of his professors at University of Pennsylvania
Favourite place to travel: Home in Kuwait.
Favourite place in the UAE: Al Qudra lakes
World Cricket League Division 2
In Windhoek, Namibia - Top two teams qualify for the World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe, which starts on March 4.
UAE fixtures
Thursday February 8, v Kenya; Friday February 9, v Canada; Sunday February 11, v Nepal; Monday February 12, v Oman; Wednesday February 14, v Namibia; Thursday February 15, final
Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
- Flexible work arrangements
- Pension support
- Mental well-being assistance
- Insurance coverage for optical, dental, alternative medicine, cancer screening
- Financial well-being incentives
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
MATCH INFO
Manchester City 0
Wolves 2 (Traore 80', 90 4')
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Dengue%20fever%20symptoms
%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EHigh%20fever%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EIntense%20pain%20behind%20your%20eyes%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ESevere%20headache%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EMuscle%20and%20joint%20pains%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ENausea%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EVomiting%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ESwollen%20glands%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ERash%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A%3Cp%3EIf%20symptoms%20occur%2C%20they%20usually%20last%20for%20two-seven%20days%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
Spare
Profile
Company name: Spare
Started: March 2018
Co-founders: Dalal Alrayes and Saurabh Shah
Based: UAE
Sector: FinTech
Investment: Own savings. Going for first round of fund-raising in March 2019
Teams
Pakistan: Sarfraz Ahmed (captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Sahibzada Farhan, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan Shanwari, Hasan Ali, Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf.
New Zealand: Kane Williamson (captain), Corey Anderson, Mark Chapman, Lockie Ferguson, Colin de Grandhomme, Adam Milne, Colin Munro, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Seth Rance, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor.
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
