Travel

Private jets: not just for the rich or famous

We often hear about celebrities hopping on and off private jets for journeys taking less than 20 minutes and there has been much controversy around the impact of business jets on the environment in recent years. But did you know that they are also used as a contributor for many worthy causes?

Deborah Scott, Finance Director of component supply specialist Artemis Aerospace, reveals how private jets have been instrumental in supplying help across many industries….

Delivering medical equipment

During the pandemic, many countries lacked the medical resources and critical means to care for COVID-19 patients. Global air cargo carriers were under mounting pressure, with IATA estimating that they were oversubscribed by 30%. To alleviate this pressure, a number of private jet companies turned their attention to supporting international COVID-19 response efforts by transporting tonnes of medical equipment, including face masks, PPE and medicines to destinations in need of assistance.

Sending supplies to Ukraine

After Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, private charter airlines aided support efforts by delivering essential supplies to refugees including food, clothing, toys, baby milk and nappies. Alongside this, aircraft were used to transport refugees out of war zones and away from danger to safety.

Life-saving treatments

Unlike commercial aircraft, business jets offer the flexibility and space required for accommodating essential life-support machines and other medical equipment when transporting

Barbados beckons…

How does a seven-night Caribbean escape sound? Local Independent Travel Agent, Jude Greene-Steward from Aspire Travel (ATOL and ABTA protected), is offering an allinclusive stay at Sandals Barbados or Sandals Royal Barbados departing in June with prices from £2,034.50 per person. With exclusive exchange privileges on offer, guests can choose to experience the facilities from both resorts for the price of one, including a choice of up to 20 restaurants, 11 bars and 6 pools. Prices include flights from London Heathrow. To book or for more details call Jude on 0208 331 5995 or email jude@aspiretravel.net patients. When patients are immunocompromised, then using a private jet also helps to limit their exposure to other people and passengers, either on the ground or during the flight.

Delivering transplant organs

While transplant organs are often transported by conventional cargo planes, private jets are crucial to the transplant process when an organ’s viability outside the body is only a matter of hours long or when it needs to be delivered to a difficult-to-reach destination. Business jets offer the flexibility of quick turnaround times and are small enough to land in remote areas – essential for saving lives.

London Biggin Hill Airport is Bromley’s largest employer and, as part of the global transport network, the airport plays an important role in a variety of operations. For example, in terms of medical flights, London Biggin Hill caters for the transportation of adults and children for treatment at specialist hospitals, transportation of urgent transplant organs or tissues, transferring of patients for emergency operations and worldwide repatriation of patients, quickly and safely back to their home.

London Biggin Hill also has a number of certified Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) companies based on-site. Rather like a car going in for a regular service or MOT, aircraft are required to undergo various maintenance checks to ensure their safe and reliable functioning during flight. The airport is also instrumental for helicopter services including Air Ambulances, police helicopters and coastguard search and rescue operations. Castle Air, one of the airport’s resident companies, recently announced its contract to provide operations support for the Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust.

Did you know….?

• Following the devastating earthquake in Haiti in 2010, private jets were used to transport medical teams, supplies, and equipment to the disaster zone. The quick response time provided by private jets was critical in providing lifesaving aid to those affected by the disaster.

• After the typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines in 2013, private jets were used to transport supplies, aid workers, and medical teams to the affected areas. The ability to reach the disaster zone quickly and efficiently allowed for a more effective response effort.

• After Hurricane Harvey in 2017, private jets were used to transport supplies and aid workers to the affected areas, as well as evacuate residents to safer locations.