VistaJet: Future of Business Travel’ report
In April 2021, WSJ Intelligence and VistaJet surveyed over 200 high-level executives in the U.S., EMEA and APAC about business travel, its changes and its role for the future of their organizational growth. The members of this group all had intense travel patterns. In the year before the pandemic, 86% had flown private for business. The same percentage had also flown roundtrip on commercial First Class, and virtually all - 96% - took at least one Business Class commercial roundtrip.
97 % of respondents said their said their companies experienced negative impacts directly related to business travel restrictions. After a year of lockdowns, there is built-up anticipation for travel as restrictions ease. Six in 10 respondents expect more in-person meetings in the future, compared to a typical year before the pandemic. Among those who are intense users of private aviation, taking eight or more private flights a year, 60% plan to significantly increase in-person meetings, compared with 38% of total respondents. Additionally 81% said business travel will be more important than ever to driving success. Still, most executives - 62% - expect to be asked for more justification for business travel.
Swissport adjusts commercial structure and appoints new regional managers
As part of a new commercial structure, Swissport has redesigned its market setup and appointed new regional managers for Switzerland, Germany and Austria, Continental Europe, and Middle East & Africa. The revised structure creates larger market clusters with direct reporting lines to the CEO. Swissport's home market of Switzerland has been led by Bruno Stefani since 1 June. As the new Head of Switzerland, he also oversees the Executive Aviation business in Nice, France. Bruno joined Swissport in 1996 and held several leadership positions in Passenger Services at Swissport Zurich before being appointed CEO of Swissport Losch Munich in 2010. Since the end of 2016, he has been leading Swissport's Zurich operation.
A dedicated region has also been established for Germany & Austria. Effective 1 June, Philipp Frech, previously Chief Operating Officer US East, has been appointed Head of Germany & Austria. Jan van Engelen has been appointed as Head of the new region Continental Europe. He will join Swissport on 1 July 2021. In his most recent position with CAE, Jan was Vice President Commercial Aviation Training for Europe, Middle East, Africa & India. As Head of the new Middle East & Africa region, Swissport has appointed Dirk Goovaerts, who will join the company on 1 September 2021. Prior to joining Swissport, Dirk was CEO Asia Pacific with dnata.
French aeronautical players to fly 100% alternative fuel
Airbus, Safran, Dassault Aviation, ONERA and Ministry of Transport are jointly launching an in-flight study, at the end of 2021, to analyse the compatibility of unblended sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) with single-aisle aircraft and commercial aircraft engine and fuel systems, as well as with helicopter engines. Known as VOLCAN (VOL avec Carburants Alternatifs Nouveaux), this project is the first time that in-flight emissions will be measured using 100% SAF in a single-aisle aircraft.
Airbus is responsible for characterising and analysing the impact of 100% SAF on-ground and in-flight emissions using an A320neo test aircraft powered by a CFM LEAP-1A engine. This study will support efforts currently underway at Airbus and Safran to ensure the aviation sector is ready for the large-scale deployment and use of SAF as part of the wider initiative to decarbonise the industry. It will also contribute to the ultimate goal of achieving 100% SAF certification in single-aisle commercial aircraft and the new generation of business jets.
People: Pilatus Aircraft: Hansueli Loosli Elected as New Chairman
Hansueli Loosli was elected as the new Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Pilatus Annual General Meeting. Oscar J. Schwenk, the longstanding Chairman of the Board of Directors, has decided not to stand for re-election to the office of Chairman of the Board of Directors this year. Hansueli Loosli has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Coop and Swisscom and was awarded the “Entrepreneur of the Year” prize, among others, for his outstanding achievements in the past. He has already been inducted and will take up his duties at Pilatus with immediate effect.
Moving forward, Oscar J. Schwenk and his many years of experience will remain with Pilatus on a mandate basis. He will bring his wealth of know-how in the aviation sector to bear in supporting the company’s strategic direction in the future. At the same time, he will continue as Honorary Chairman and Chairman of the Board of Directors of subsidiary Pilatus Australia Pty Ltd, thus remaining with the company as a whole.
Besides electing the new Chairman, two additional members were also voted onto the Pilatus Board of Directors: Martin P. Furrer, member of the Executive Board and Partner of Baker & McKenzie Zurich. The 56-year-old is one of the leading lawyers in his areas of expertise. Mario Rossi, 60, was elected as a further member. He worked for Swisscom for over 20 years in various functions. Most recently, he was Chief Financial Officer with this Swiss telecommunications company.
Dominik Burkart, who previously served as a member of the Board of Directors, did not stand for re-election. He will continue to back Pilatus as a shareholder. Pilatus would like to thank him for his constant support and his work as a member of the Board of Directors in the fullest interests of Pilatus.