An increasing number of customers will turn to private jet travel when booking holidays this year, according to Air Charter Service.

The global aircraft charter company, which saw a 25% increase in new customers booking throughout 2020, expects to see another increase of 25% in 2021. 

“Continued disruption to the scheduled commercial flight network and concerns relating to hygiene when travelling commercially will continue to work in favour of private travel in 2021,” said the brand’s group private jet director, Andy Christie.

“The full implications of Brexit may also mean longer queues at arrivals and longer travel time for many people travelling between the UK and Europe once restrictions on travel are eased, which will lead to an increasing number turning to private aviation.”

Despite a larger customer base, Christie said consumers would travel less on average in 2021 compared with the average customer in 2019, meaning the total number of bookings across the market would remain consistent with 2019.

“Following months of lockdown, people can’t wait to travel again and are wanting to go on trips for a longer duration to make the most of their time in a destination. The introduction of remote working schemes is also likely to contribute to the increase in the number of people travelling for longer,” he said.

Christie revealed Air Charter Service was also expecting to see a 30% increase in the number of high-end travel agents booking private jets. 

“With the need for a more personalised service increasing, high end travel agents offering bespoke itineraries will see a resurgence in demand,” he said.

“This has already been illustrated by the tremendous uptake of ACS’s private jet training events put on for travel agents in December and interest in attending further events this year.”

Air Charter Service’s most popular destinations among UK travellers last year were Nice, Faro, Palma, Malaga and Ibiza.