Business jets are a popular mode of transportation for high net-worth individuals, corporations, and governments. These aircraft offer privacy, speed, convenience, and comfort, making them ideal for executive travel, remote destinations, and urgent missions. However, the exact number of business jets in the world is difficult to determine due to various factors such as ownership, registration, operation, and classification. In this article, we will explore the available data on business jets and estimate their total population.
What is a Business Jet?
A business jet, also known as a private jet or executive jet, is a type of aircraft designed for exclusive use by business people and other VIPs. Business jets typically have two or three engines, advanced avionics, luxurious interiors, and long-range capabilities. They can operate from small airports and land on short runways, enabling direct point-to-point travel without the need for layovers, connections, or delays. Business jets come in various sizes and models, from light jets such as the Cessna Citation and Phenom 100 to midsize jets such as the Gulfstream G280 and Bombardier Challenger 350 to large jets such as the Boeing Business Jet and Airbus ACJ320neo.
How Many Business Jets Are Registered?
One way to estimate the total number of business jets in the world is to look at the number of registered aircraft. A registered aircraft is one that has been issued a unique identification number by the national aviation authority of its country of origin and is listed in the official database of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). However, not all countries require registration of private aircraft, and some owners choose to register their jets in countries with lenient regulations or tax benefits. Therefore, the number of registered business jets may not reflect the actual number of business jets in operation.
According to the latest data from ICAO, there were 22,419 registered business jets worldwide as of December 2020. North America had the highest number of registered business jets with 12,506, followed by Europe with 6,077, Asia with 2,848, Latin America and the Caribbean with 1,368, Africa with 464, and Oceania with 156. The top three countries with the most registered business jets were the United States with 12,298, Canada with 2,178, and Brazil with 1,256. However, these numbers do not include unregistered business jets or those registered in non-ICAO member states.
How Many Business Jets Are Produced?
Another way to estimate the total number of business jets in the world is to look at the production data of aircraft manufacturers. A production aircraft is one that has been built and delivered to its customer, either directly from the manufacturer or through a dealer. However, not all produced aircraft are still in operation, as some may have been retired, sold, or destroyed. Therefore, the number of produced business jets may not reflect the actual number of business jets in service.
According to the latest data from the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), there were 703 business jets delivered worldwide in 2020, down from 809 in 2019. This represents a decrease of 13.1%, mainly due to the COVID-19 pandemic that affected the aviation industry globally. Of the 703 business jets delivered in 2020, the majority were midsize jets with 335 units, followed by large jets with 187 units, light jets with 160 units, and very light jets with 21 units. The top three manufacturers of business jets in 2020 were Gulfstream Aerospace with 141 deliveries, Bombardier Aviation with 122 deliveries, and Textron Aviation with 103 deliveries.
How Many Business Jets Are Used?
A third way to estimate the total number of business jets in the world is to look at the utilization data of aircraft operators. An operated aircraft is one that is actively used for its intended purpose, either by its owner or by a third-party operator. However, not all operated aircraft are owned by their users, as some may be leased or chartered from other owners. Therefore, the number of operated business jets may not reflect the actual number of business jets owned by their users.
According to the latest data from WingX, a global aviation market intelligence company, there were 17,785 active business jets worldwide in March 2021, down from 18,812 in March 2020. This represents a decrease of 5.5%, mainly due to the COVID-19 pandemic that reduced the demand for air travel. Of the 17,785 active business jets, the majority were midsize jets with 7,503 units, followed by large jets with 5,979 units, light jets with 3,800 units, and very light jets with 503 units. The top three operators of business jets in 2021 were NetJets with 754 aircraft, Flexjet with 173 aircraft, and VistaJet with 75 aircraft. These companies are examples of fractional ownership and charter providers that allow customers to share ownership or use of multiple business jets without the need to buy, maintain, or operate a single jet. Fractional ownership and charter services have become popular in recent years as they offer flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and access to a larger fleet of aircraft.
What is the Total Number of Business Jets?
Based on the available data, we can estimate the total number of business jets in the world by combining the registered, produced, and operated figures. However, this estimate should be taken with caution as it may not account for factors such as retirement, scrapping, or unaccounted for aircraft.
If we assume that all registered business jets are still in operation and add them to the total number of produced business jets since the inception of the industry, which is around 22,000 according to GAMA, we get a rough estimate of 44,000 business jets. If we also add the number of active business jets according to WingX, we get a lower estimate of around 62,000 business jets. However, these numbers may vary depending on the assumptions made and the sources used.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the exact number of business jets in the world is difficult to determine due to various factors such as ownership, registration, operation, and classification. However, we can estimate the total number of business jets based on the available data from registration, production, and utilization sources. According to these sources, there were around 22,000 registered business jets, 703 produced business jets, and 17,785 active business jets in 2021. Therefore, the total number of business jets in the world may range from 44,000 to 62,000, depending on the assumptions made and the sources used. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and other economic factors, the business jet industry remains a vital part of the aviation sector and a preferred means of transportation for many individuals and organizations.
