Research commissioned by Airbus Corporate Jets (ACJ) has revealed business aviation professionals in the Middle East expect significantly greater use of private aircraft through to 2030, driven by growing demand for flexibility, corporate travel, technological innovation and more sustainable operations.

Chadi Saade, president of Airbus Corporate Jets, explains: “Business aviation is evolving rapidly in the Middle East. Organisations increasingly value the flexibility, security and productivity that private aircraft provide. At the same time, technology is transforming the sector. Artificial intelligence and predictive maintenance are helping operators improve efficiency, while new connectivity solutions allow passengers to remain fully productive throughout their journey.

“Sustainability is also becoming a central consideration. The growing use of sustainable aviation fuel and increasing demand for fuel-efficient aircraft demonstrate that environmental and operational performance are now closely linked.

“Together these trends point towards a business aviation market that is not only growing, but becoming smarter, more connected and more sustainable.”

The survey of 35 business aviation financiers and brokers across the Middle East found widespread expectations of growth in flight activity across light, midsize and large business jets over the coming years.

This outlook is supported by the region's significant role in the global market, as the Middle East currently represents roughly one-third of the global OEM's fleet. There is also a strong demand for fleet renewal becoming evident, with approximately 40 per cent of the regional fleet reaching a nominal 15 year in-service replacement cycle.

Expectations are strong for the larger aircraft segment, with 83 per cent of respondents predicting flight activity in large business jets to increase between now and 2030, including almost two in five (37 per cent) who anticipate a dramatic demand. Demand is expected to grow across all aircraft categories, with 80 per cent forecasting increased use of light jets and 78 per cent expecting higher utilisation of midsize aircraft.

The research suggests business aviation is becoming an increasingly important tool for both corporate and government-related travel. Amongst private company's customers, every respondent reported increased demand over the past two years, with 83 per cent seeing demand rise by between five and fifteen per cent. A further 17 per cent reported increases exceeding 15 per cent.

Government demand is also strengthening, with 94 per cent of business aviation professionals based in the Middle East surveyed saying current geopolitical activity has led to increased interest from governments and government departments in purchasing or leasing business aircraft.

Technology is also playing a major role in supporting this growth. Nine in 10 respondents believe the use of artificial intelligence to optimise flight planning, reduce fuel burn and predict maintenance requirements will increase over the next five years, while 72 per cent expect next-generation low-earth-orbit satellite connectivity to have a positive impact on business aircraft sales and operations through to 2030.

Sustainability is also becoming an increasingly important purchasing and operational consideration. Four in five expect SAF usage to increase over the next five years, while 92 per cent say buyers are placing greater emphasis on fuel efficiency when evaluating aircraft purchases.

Respondents also expect the industry's transition towards lower-carbon operations to continue accelerating. More than three in four (77 per cent) believe the use of SAF ‘book and claim’ programmes will increase through to 2030, while 89 per cent believe wider SAF adoption will encourage the purchase of newer, more fuel-efficient business aircraft.

ACJ offers the world's most modern and comprehensive range of corporate jets, from the ACJ TwoTwenty and ACJ320neo to widebodies like the ACJ330neo and ACJ350. The recently launched ACJ TwoTwenty is carving out a whole new market segment – ‘The Xtra Large Bizjet’.

The ACJ TwoTwenty offers twice the cabin real estate compared to similarly priced ULR business jets with favourable fuel efficiency and reliability. It occupies the same parking footprint as competitive ULR jets and can take off from the same airports, but the ACJ TwoTwenty operating costs are one-third less.

With a range of up to 5,650 nm (more than 12 flight hours), the ACJ TwoTwenty can fly non-stop to all Europe, all Africa and all Asia from the Middle East.

As with all ACJ aircraft, the ACJ TwoTwenty is capable of flying with up to a 50 per cent blend of kerosene and SAF while keeping to the technical specifications of Jet A. This capability will play an important role in the sector's decarbonisation journey. The type, announced in October 2020 and first flown in December 2021, made its first customer delivery in April 2023 to Dubai-based FIVE Hotels and Resorts, operated by Comlux under a Maltese AOC. More than 200 Airbus Corporate Jets are in service worldwide.