Airbus Study Shows Surge in Corporate Jet Travel Across Asia

Business aviation is rapidly becoming a cornerstone of corporate travel in Asia, with new research from Airbus Corporate Jets showing executives increasingly rely on private aircraft to save time, boost productivity, and expand their global reach.

The study, conducted by Australian insights firm Pureprofile, surveyed 67 senior professionals in China, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Respondents included 34 executives from large corporations and 33 from Asian-based family offices, hedge funds, and private equity firms managing $141 billion in assets. The findings reveal a striking shift: between 63% and 69% of business travel among these groups is now conducted on corporate jets, underlining the region’s growing reliance on private aviation.

Time savings and efficiency

Nearly all respondents reported saving two to three hours per trip compared with commercial flights. For executives managing tight schedules across multiple markets, those hours translate into more meetings, faster decision-making, and better access to new opportunities. Additionally, 72% of respondents said that at least one-quarter of their business routes are not even served by commercial airlines, making private aviation a critical enabler of market connectivity.

Productivity in the skies

The study also highlighted substantial productivity gains. Eighty-seven percent of executives estimated that flying private improved their productivity by 25% to 50%, while another 8% said the gains were even higher, between 50% and 75%. Privacy, schedule control, and the ability to handle confidential matters mid-flight were identified as top advantages. For family offices and hedge funds, which often manage sensitive transactions and communications, the secure environment of a business jet was seen as invaluable.

Flexibility and global expansion

Respondents also pointed to operational flexibility as a major driver of corporate jet use. Many family offices anticipate relatives relocating abroad, while hedge funds and private equity firms plan to expand their global office networks. Private aviation supports this expansion, offering point-to-point access across international markets and minimizing disruptions that often occur with scheduled airline travel.

Humanitarian use of business jets

Beyond boardroom benefits, the study found corporate aircraft are also being used for humanitarian and charitable missions. Nearly all respondents cited examples of jets being deployed for emergency medical transport and crisis relief. This dual role—supporting both business needs and community response—reinforces the broader value of private aviation in Asia’s fast-evolving landscape.

Future demand set to rise

Looking ahead, demand for corporate jet travel in Asia shows no signs of slowing. More than half of surveyed organizations said they expect business jet usage to increase by 50% to 75% within the next two years. The combination of rising wealth, regional business expansion, and heightened expectations for executive mobility is driving this projected surge.

Airbus Corporate Jets (ACJ) deliveries and orders, as public data is relatively sparse:

• As of mid-2019, Airbus reported that 222 ACJ (corporate and private jets) had been ordered, with 213 in operation.
• The total ACJ orders stand at 237, with 210 delivered to date, and 236 in service in 2025.
• Among ACJ models, the ACJ319 is noted as the most sold, with 77 orders.
• The ACJ330-200 also has seen strong uptake with 69 orders, most of them head of state, VVIP jets.
• In 2024, Airbus recorded 10 deliveries of ACJ320neo aircraft and 4 deliveries of ACJ350 jets.
• Regarding the ACJ TwoTwenty (the bizjet version of the A220-100), Airbus Corporate Jets had taken 9 orders to date, with 2 currently in service and several more in outfitting.

A global trend with local implications

The new findings mirror patterns identified in Airbus Corporate Jets’ 2024 survey of U.S. family offices, which revealed growing use of private aircraft not only for business but also for staff well-being and philanthropic initiatives. Advances in aircraft design, improved onboard connectivity, and the growing availability of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) are further encouraging adoption across regions. Many family offices and corporations are also considering aircraft upgrades to newer, more efficient models, underscoring the long-term growth potential of the sector.

For Asia’s corporate leaders, private aviation is no longer a luxury—it’s becoming an operational necessity. As firms pursue global strategies, the ability to save time, improve productivity, and expand networks seamlessly through business jets is increasingly seen as essential to staying competitive.


Related News: https://airguide.info/?s=airbus, https://airguide.info/category/air-travel-business/business-aviation/

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ainonline.com, Simple Flying