Due to the alarming situation, many flights have been canceled, leaving people unable to return home or attend important business meetings. Most of us are staying isolated to prevent the spread of coronavirus, but for those who are economically viable, there is another option: a private jet.
Alain Leboursier, sales director at Swiss private line Luna Jets, tells CNN Travel that there has been a "dramatic increase" in passenger bookings and inquiries in recent weeks, related to concerns raised around COVID-19.
According to Leboursier, in February, about 15% of total claims were related to coronavirus. Now that percentage has doubled to 30%. "We received about 200 requests on Sunday. Of these requests, 60 came from 'coronavirus-affected regions', "Leboursier adds.
PrivateFly's private jet provider has seen a surge in demand since President Donald Trump announced restrictions on US travel to 26 European countries.
According to Adam Twidell, the company is receiving a "significant number of requests" from Americans, currently in Europe, who are seeking to return to the US, as well as those wishing to fly from Europe to the United Kingdom, which is currently exempt from prohibition.
"The requests come from private jet clients who are usually government officials, sports teams, corporate executives, but also recently people who would not normally fly privately," Twidell says.
Zaher, leader of Paramount Business Jets, sets the example of an elderly woman traveling from the US east coast to the west coast and dismissing her flight ticket in favor of a private jet. But there were also passengers with health problems who opted for private jets.
"We always clean the plane, it's a private jet, so we always make it look nice, but have we disinfected every corner of the plane before? Let's be honest, no. But now we do," Davis says.
