Nearly eight out of ten (79 percent) board directors and senior executives of S&P 500 companies and other major U.S. corporations believe the business aviation sector’s increasing use of sustainable aviation fuel and its improving sustainability record will lead to more large U.S. corporations purchasing private jets. This is according to research commissioned by Airbus Corporate Jets (ACJ).
Of those senior executives interviewed whose companies do not currently own their own jet but are expected to purchase one in the next few years, 43% cited a growing focus on sustainability as one of the top three reasons for this. Furthermore, of those U.S. executives who work for large corporations that own a jet and expect them to upgrade them in the next five years, 67%said a key reason is to focus on models that can make greater use of sustainable fuel.
ACJ’s research found that in addition to U.S. corporations placing a greater focus on sustainable fuel when using business aviation, they are generally looking to make greater use of their aircraft to support their wider ESG strategies, such as using them more for air ambulance purposes. Around 75% of executives said they believe large U.S. corporations will want to do this.
“Airbus is committed to pioneering the use of sustainable fuel, but also to developing the latest technology to reduce the impact of our aircraft on the environment,” said Sean McGeough, VP Commercial ACJ for North America. “For example, our new ACJ TwoTwenty uses advanced materials and technology for lower fuel burn and maintenance costs. It has 50% lower emissions per square meter when compared to large business jets in general.
“Business aviation’s commitment to reducing its impact on the environment makes owning an aircraft more appealing, and this is becoming a much more important issue for those buying them,” said McGeough.
ACJ offers a range of large business aircraft, the latest of which is the ACJ TwoTwenty. This jet was launched in October 2020, creating a whole new market segment – ‘The Xtra Large Bizjet.’
The ACJ TwoTwenty offers unbeatable economics and unrivaled reliability at the same price as ultra-long-range (ULR) business jets. It occupies the same parking footprint as competitive ULR jets and can take off from the same airports, but its operating costs are one-third less. It also is the quietest and most eco-friendly aircraft in its category.
ACJ is working as part of the global Airbus family to optimize its environmental performance, reduce noise and create responsible solutions that support both its sustainability ambitions and customers’ goals.
The ACJ TwoTwenty, thanks to its advanced design and the most efficient engines of any large business jet, is the quietest aircraft in the LR/ULR marketplace, delivering an 18-decibel noise margin versus current regulations and up to 20% lower fuel burn versus previous-generation aircraft.
As with all ACJ aircraft, the ACJ TwoTwenty is certified to fly with a 50% blend of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The goal is to achieve 100 percent SAF certification by 2030.
More than 210 Airbus corporate jets are in service worldwide, flying on every continent, including Antarctica.
