Post Covid-19 & Your FBO – Facing The Challenge

Eddie Rickenbacker “Aviation is proof that given the will, we have the capacity to achieve the impossible.”

- Joe McDermott

COVID-19 has dealt the FBO industry a blow to its solar plexus & many in our industry, specially the independent FBO & smaller networks, feel there is no light at the end of the tunnel. Our industry has suffered downturns before, while nothing like that which COVID-19 has caused, history shown that the sector always comes out fighting!

I think the future of business aviation & therefore, the FBO sector too, is brighter than one might think.

Consider what is happening in the airline sector.

Less airports being served = reduced connectivity.

Reduced frequency.

Reduced capacity.

Fewer Business Class seats.

Longer check-in queues& times.

Much higher fares.

These factors& safety concerns have led to an increased use of private aircraft for both business & personal reasons, just ask any charter broker!

Already we are seeing considerable bizav traffic increases across Europe & the USA, in some regions YOY figures are actually up for July! (August figures will of course reflect introduction of local lockdowns & quarantine).

Reference: EuroControl&WingX

Once new clients experience the convenience, safety, luxury & other benefits of business aircraft, many are likely to continue to fly private! So, the long-term effect of the pandemic may very well lead to an increased traffic for FBOs.