private jet

Demand for executive jets in the UK surged by 70% between 2007 and 2011, compared with 2002-2006, according to research by aviation training and management solutions provider CTC Aviation.

The company believes that this growth is driven by an increasing number of ultra-high net worth individuals in the UK.

Russian and US citizens alone invested more than £1.3bn on prime property in London last year.

CTC Aviation estimates that there are currently 295 medium to large sized business jets nationwide that are worth approximately £4bn.

The research also revealed that in 2012 there were 392 daily business flights in the UK, 5% more than in 2009.

In order to tap the growth in the private jet market, CTC Aviation is introducing CTC Private Jet, a service that the company claims will offer high standards for operating and managing private jets.

In addition to providing safety standards, CTC Private Jet offers s scale, experience and a track record for airline levels of safety.

"Private jets should be operating to the same high safety standards to those of a modern airline, where risk is minimised and crew training of the highest quality ensures that these goals are achieved."

CTC Private Jet managing director Steve Billett said: "The UK – and London in particular – continues to attract some of the wealthiest and most successful ultra-high net worth individuals in the world, and many of these people and their organisations have purchased, or are considering investing in their own aircraft."

CTC chief executive officer Rob Clarke said: "Private jets should be operating to the same high safety standards to those of a modern airline, where risk is minimised and crew training of the highest quality ensures that these goals are achieved."

CTC Aviation has posted sales of £27.9m in 2012, while its international sales increased by 52%.

In June 2012, Inflexion Private Equity closed a management buyout of CTC Aviation.

Image: CTC Aviation estimates that currently there are about 295 medium to large sized business jets in the UK. Photo: courtesy of Fred Edwards.

Defence Technology