Covid lifts demand for jets

THE pandemic may have curtailed travel for most of us, but the wealthy have continued to fly, according to a private jet charter firm.

Air Partner said that demand for its planes remains robust across the US and the UK as lower numbers of commercial flights during the pandemic left more of the super-rich relying on its services.

It also flagged ‘exceptional’ demand for its air freight business to transport vaccine doses across the planet as immunisation campaigns picked up steam.

It has faced challenges in its group charter and security businesses, both of which have been hit by travel restrictions introduced during the pandemic.

As a result, the firm expected profits for the year to the end of January to be ‘materially ahead’ of market expectations.