The private jet industry is soaring, with remarkable growth both globally and within the GCC spurred by HNWIs and UHNWIs. According to WingX.com, private jet travel in the GCC region surged by an astonishing 143 per cent year-on-year (YOY) in 2024 compared to 2019, while the global market experienced an 80 per cent year-on-year increase.
This surge, driven by high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) and corporations seeking flexible and luxurious travel options, has led to the expansion of private jet terminals. Notably, the new ExecuJet facility at Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) in Dubai stands as the world’s largest private jet terminal, setting the stage for exclusive brand engagements.
This boom in the private jet industry has unlocked avenues for several brands to reach both HNWIs as well as ultra-high-net-worth (UHNWI) audiences.
Speaking to Campaign Middle East, Banan Abu Sitta, commercial director at Private Jet Media, highlights the strategic advantages for brands, saying, “Private jet travel allows brands to target an elite, affluent audience with zero wastage. Our global network of more than 150 private jet airports worldwide offer brands access to this ultra-high-net-worth (UHNWI) audience.”
This targeted reach is invaluable for luxury brands seeking to make meaningful connections with a demographic that values exclusivity and quality.
Change in UHNWI demographics
Interestingly, the profile of HNWIs has evolved over recent years, with a noticeable decrease in the average age of private jet users and HNWIs.
Increasingly, younger wealthy individuals, including millennials and Gen Z entrepreneurs, are traveling via private jets not only for business but also for leisure.
This age shift is reshaping the market as younger HNWIs display different preferences, often prioritizing luxury experiences, sustainable investments, and exclusive access to niche locations.
Private jet travel, previously the domain of older corporate elites, now includes younger high-net-worth travelers and their families, who are using private aviation to travel as groups for vacations, special events, and family getaways.
Tapping into UHNWIs and HNWIs purchasing power
As UHNWIs and HNWIs diversify their investments and lifestyle choices, their purchasing power has become a key driver for multiple luxury industries. Globally, HNWIs contribute significantly to high-end sectors, with a growing preference for exclusive goods, experiences, and investments in emerging markets.
According to several industry reports, this segment spent over $100bn on luxury brands in recent years, with much of it dedicated to private investment, exclusive resorts, and high-end services tailored to personal needs.
The real estate sector, in particular, has benefited from this influx of affluent travelers. Developers are increasingly marketing luxury properties in destinations with high private jet traffic, positioning regions like Dubai as prime locations for investment.
Cities like Dubai, Riyadh, London, Paris, Nice, Geneva, Monaco, and New York are becoming prime destinations for high-end property buyers.
“Luxury developers are increasingly targeting specific international markets frequented by these affluent travelers,” said Abu Sitta.
“The rise in private jet traffic has created a premium platform for brands to engage with the ultra-wealthy,” she adds, highlighting how the booming aviation sector intersects with real estate and government initiatives in the GCC.
With governments in the GCC supporting this growth through aviation-friendly policies and infrastructure investments, the increase in HNWI travel shows no signs of slowing down. Many of these travelers are also seeking new investment opportunities, with high-net-worth families now showing greater interest in real estate, sustainable assets, and long-term projects that reflect their values.
The combined impact of this market shift and the private jet industry’s growth has established a unique platform for brands to directly engage with one of the most influential audiences, reshaping luxury marketing and investment strategies worldwide.
