How has the coronavirus crisis affected the sale of private aircraft in the Czech Republic and Slovakia?
The market remained shocked in mid-March when the crisis began. Everyone was scared and waiting to see what would happen, because they had never experienced such a thing. From day to day, almost all the planes remained seated on the ground. Of the nearly 50,000 aircraft that were actively in the air, whether airline machines or business jets, only about 1,300 to 1,500 aircraft were flying at the time, most of them on cargo flights dealing with the COVID-19 crisis. . The whole world froze, as did the Czechoslovak market. However, after the initial shock, sobriety ensued and people returned to their lives and thoughts.
Is shopping the same, or are entrepreneurs more careful?
The process of buying an aircraft is a long-term affair. One thinks, calculates, makes decisions, and it is months before we can buy and bring a plane. As soon as the coronavirus pandemic came, many people’s thoughts about buying an aircraft got stuck, but now they are thinking again about whether they will need the aircraft or whether they will buy it. Transactions are therefore ongoing.
–
–
Is it possible to estimate what this year will be like?
It will not be until 2021 that we see whether this year was as tragic as anyone expected. But even during the pandemic, the transactions took place. Specifically, an aircraft came to the Czech Republic, the purchase of which was started before coronavirus, but was imported and put into operation during the biggest crisis. Nothing has changed in the mood of the businessman who bought it.
Even before the pandemic, the price of aircraft fell. Has the pandemic deepened this trend? Do buyers not push the price?
Definitely yes. There are some crises and difficulties in the market, so buyers expect the price to fall. But we will not see real numbers on falling prices until next year. However, we are already seeing that aircraft dealers have reduced their required prices by about ten percent.
How many private planes are sold in the world?