Just like every other industry out there, private aviation is constantly being flooded with all the latest technology and innovations. With this exponential growth comes fresh demand, and those working in this sector are only too happy meet it.

However, it’s not all such a smooth ride for those working in the sector either. Challenges are to be expected and prepared for, so it’s important to pay equal consideration to any issues that may arrive in the industry this year too.

Consequently, it’s worth asking the question; what are the 2019 industry changes in private jet aviation?

Wider Usage

Private jets used to be reserved for the wealthy and elite classes. Moreover, they’d also be used for important flights by important people, with not a wide breadth of practical use seen beyond that.

However, today they’re experiencing a wider range of usage, and this is a significant trend that will likely continue into until the end of this year, and potentially beyond.

This is mainly caused by the cost efficiency of the aircraft, and the wealthy owners questioning whether they truly need to own them. Are they likely to fly to meetings, or can meetings be conducted remotely instead these days to save time?

Consequently, there’s more outsourcing of these crafts going on; empty leg schemes to get more people onboard, leasing to businesses, ferrying supplies and people in and out of disaster areas, etc.

After all, anyone can charter private aircraft today, making them more accessible. Put simply, private aviation will continue to get less… well, private!

Environmental Concerns

It’s no secret that, today, nearly everyone seems like an advocate for the environment. Protests are regularly underway in greater numbers than ever before, and people are starting to trade in their cars for electric vehicles instead. There’s more activity and interest here, and it’s only going to increase as the months and years roll by.

The private aviation industry will likely try to curb their own emissions, introducing innovations for electric aircraft. Ironically, there was a record number of private jet flights heading into Davos for a climate change talk – something that didn’t go unnoticed by the world’s media.

It’s also been reported that sharing planes will become more popular as a counter to events like this. In the end, it will be hard for the private aviation industry to put off these demands for change for much longer…

Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B)

By January 1st, 2020, all private aircrafts must be equipped with ADS-B Out to navigate most airspaces, and to improve safety and efficiency of aircraft both in the skies and on the runways. Obviously, as we’re now fast approaching the midway point of 2019, the aircrafts that are yet to have this technology installed will begin to make fast changes here.

These systems provide real time data on weather situations and traffic, not dissimilar to the technology that well-optimised ground controllers are already using. This means that all private aircraft will always be hyperaware to what’s around them, with the accuracy of these devices being more refined than traditional radar surveillance.