Airbus Corporate Jets research reveals ‘growing confidence’ in Asian market
The survey found 60% of respondents expect demand for large and midsize business jets will continue growing faster than other business aviation categories through to 2030.
The industry is forecasting increasing demand for business aircraft in Asia over the remainder of the decade, particularly in the large cabin segment, according to research commissioned by Airbus Corporate Jets (ACJ).
The global survey of financiers and brokers across Asia found 85% of respondents expect purchases of large business jets to increase between now and 2030, including 30% who believe demand will increase dramatically.
Chadi Saade, president of Airbus Corporate Jets said: “The business aviation market in Asia continues to demonstrate remarkable confidence and the actual increase of ACJs in service in Asia is a testimony of this growth. Buyers are increasingly looking for aircraft that deliver long-range capability, greater flexibility and a premium onboard experience, while also offering strong long-term economic performance.
“Purchasing decisions today are far more strategic, with customers considering operating costs, financing, charter revenue opportunities and residual value alongside traditional measures such as cabin size and range.
“The trend towards larger, more capable aircraft reflects the increasingly global nature of business. Operators want aircraft capable of flying longer missions while providing passengers with the space and comfort expected of a modern business jet.”
The survey found 60% of respondents expect demand for large and midsize business jets will continue growing faster than other business aviation categories through to 2030, with 62% estimating that 65-70% of new business jet spending between 2025 and 2034 will be concentrated on large and long-range aircraft.
Aircraft owners are also expected to continue upgrading into larger models. Today, 56% of respondents say at least a quarter of the aircraft they are involved in selling or financing represent upgrades into larger aircraft categories a figure expected to climb to 89% by 2030.
Nearly half (45%) of respondents say buyers place equal importance on increased range and larger cabin space, while 28% identify cabin comfort, passenger capacity and aircraft customisation as the most important considerations. A further 27% believe range and mission flexibility are now the primary purchasing drivers.
Respondents identified revenue opportunities through chartering as the most important commercial factor influencing buyers, followed by residual value and purchasing price. Looking beyond acquisition, 40% believe operating costs remain the most underestimated factor during the purchasing process, while 25% point to residual value.
Nearly two-thirds (67%) of respondents believe financing large business jets will become easier compared with smaller aircraft over the coming years, while 75% expect fleet modernisation through newer and more efficient aircraft to continue accelerating over the next five years.
