Shuttle-style services could meet a pent-up demand for short haul business aviation services, according to Andrew Walters, chief executive, Regional Airports Limited. Walters, based in Hampshire, U.K., says: "The objective of reducing the costs and improving the travel time of executives will be realised when 'pay per seat' is permitted on business jets and all seats can be taken, instead of the usual two or three passengers when on a sole-use charter."

But Walters points out that regulators would have to address key issues for the concept to become viable. "For example, there are questions that need to be answered such as when does a regular air taxi with 19 seats become a scheduled passenger service?"