The research, which surveyed 1,000 full-time c-suite executives and senior management, revealed a significant increase in private flight usage due to its flexibility, efficiency, and peace of mind for travellers. 37% of respondents reported traveling monthly for business, with 77% using commercial flights as their main mode of transport. 

More than one third of respondents identified a significant desire for peace of mind when travelling. This was described as eliminating layovers, never losing bags, going straight to the plane, avoiding cancellations and delays. 

However, 75% of respondents identified cost as the main deterrent preventing them from using private aviation for travel. The second most important deterrent was a perceived lack of information on services and the industry, selected by about 41% of respondents.

“This survey was an opportunity to hear from folks who want to be our customers,” said Cory Bengtzen, CEO and founder,  SkyShare. “How can we meet them where they are? All business leaders would love to fly private, but there are still a multitude of hurdles to overcome, with cost being the most significant hurdle.” To address these concerns, travel solutions must cater specifically to the unique needs of today’s business leaders, he added.

“Approximately 62% of respondents indicated they are likely to consider private aviation for business travel needs, so the desire is absolutely there,” said Bengtzen. It is the industry’s responsibility to come up with new ways to provide a lower-cost option to help these leaders achieve their business’ goals, according to the company. SkyShare is doing that through flexible pricing plans and initiatives that lower the barriers to entry, said Bengtzen.

Since summer began, the appetite for private jet flying had been sharpened by the airline industry being “ravaged by a slew of technical malfunctions, emergency landings, and lost baggage woes”, claimed the company. So, it would not be surprising to see more business professionals considering and ultimately choosing the benefits of private aviation, it said. “For those who do fly private, reduced stress and hassle was a key factor in their decision to do so, which is why the commercial airline industry could soon see a significant shift in the sheer number of fliers,” predicted Skyshare.

Meanwhile, in May, SkyShare revealed a new financing programme for its fractional aircraft ownership plans aimed at lowering the entry barrier for small to medium-sized businesses. 

SkyShare survey results – at a glance

• 84% of C-suite exec and senior business leaders are interested in flying private

• 75% cite cost as the main barrier to adopting private aviation.
• 77% prioritise time-saving benefits, while 74% value increased scheduling flexibility.
• 69% appreciate reduced stress associated with private flights
• 35% highlight the importance of spending more time with family.

Source: SkyShare.

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The SFX+ programme has seen SkyShare expand its fleet with Gulfstream G450s and Challenger 300s, in addition to its fleet of Pilatus PC-12s, Citation CJ2s and Citation Excels under the existing SFX programme. The new finance options are designed to make it easier for small and medium enterprises to access private aviation while retaining capital in their businesses.

“Part of our culture at SkyShare is to empower small to medium-sized businesses,” Cory Bengtzen, CEO and founder of SkyShare told CJI. “As we work with these entrepreneurial clients to find the best way to fly for their businesses and families, one factor that always comes up is cash flow. Many of our clients who buy a full aircraft often take on debt against the aircraft to keep their cash working within their business(es). So naturally, the question that follows is, ‘Why not do that for fractional ownership?’”

But until now, it just wasn’t possible, it didn’t fit inside the box of “how things are done”, said Bengtzen. “So we decided to do something new and hopefully exciting, and lower the entry barrier, allowing our clients to keep their cash working for them while still taking advantage of all the bonus depreciation tax savings. 

“Remember that most, if not all of our clients, could pay cash for their share, but many would prefer to keep their cash flowing. Moreover, with the finance package we’ve put together, the payments are incredibly low because we can finance the loan over a longer period with a balloon payment when the aircraft sells.”

Fractional ownership already lowers the barrier to entry for private flight by cutting costs as much as 1/16 versus full-ownership, while still providing guaranteed availability and a low-commitment three-year term. Under SkyShare’s new financing plan, the barrier to entry comes down even further.

For example, in the SFX programme, shares start at $335,000. The new financing programme requires only 35% of that down ($117,250) and monthly finance payments as low as $2,354. For the large-cabin SFX+ programme featuring Gulfstream G450s, shares begin at $950,000, with financing options starting at a $332,500 down payment and $6,684 monthly finance payments. 

“We chose to use pre-owned aircraft, which reduces the acquisition price by half. This also allows our owners to pick the best aircraft for each specific flight. In the SFX programme, you can take an Excel to Texas one day and the next day take a PC-12 to a small, remote runway in the middle of nowhere. With our new SFX+ programme, you will be able to access our entire fleet, flying a G450 to New York one day and using the PC-12 or a light jet for your next meeting and home before dinner.”

SkyShare’s financing also still allows fractional owners to take full advantage of bonus depreciation benefits on their taxes. “Our goal is to make private flight as accessible and beneficial as possible, ensuring clients can keep their money working for them while enjoying all the benefits of a personal aircraft fleet. If you’re a small or medium business aiming to compete with a Goliath in your industry by doing more business face-to-face, here’s a brand new slingshot.”

The new initiative coincides with SkyShare’s 15th anniversary, marking a significant milestone in its history. Bengtzen said he has been “incredibly fortunate to bootstrap” the company without any outside investment or pressure from private equity firms dictating how the business is ran. 

“In the next 15 years, we aim to grow the company and expand nationwide through acquisitions starting in 2026. Our team will continue to support our clients in our fractional program, charter services, and in full aircraft ownership, helping them acquire/sell aircraft, manage their asset, and reduce their operational expenses with charter revenue, if they desire.”

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CB SkyShare’s next phase, currently underway, focuses on delivering the highest quality of private aviation services to the airport, including a new self-service fuel station, a BMW courtesy car, water bottle stations, and electric car chargers. In a final phase, SkyShare aims be one of the first providers of the up-and-coming, environmentally-conscious unleaded AvGas fuel in the nation.

“Investing and planting roots—literally—in local communities epitomizes the spirit of our mission to empower entrepreneurs and locally-minded businesses, working together to shift the power and freedom of private flight back into peoples’ hands, versus monolithic and impersonal institutions. Our company is visionary, bold, and fanatic about the customer experience. This must include creating actual, physical spaces where a community can grow,” says Cory Bengtzen, founder and CEO of CB SkyShare.

Marin County, one of the wealthiest counties in the country, allows CB SkyShare to immediately fill the demand for uplift in the Bay Area by serving the flight community with their unique 3-tier program. First, SkyShare bridges the retail charter gap for those seeking one-off private flights.

Secondly, SkyShare offers the premiere regional jet-share program in the West featuring the perfect trio of aircraft: the Pilatus PC-12, Citation CJ2, and Gulfstream G200, where one share provides full-fleet access. Thirdly, SkyShare assists in acquiring and/or managing many different private aircraft where owners receive benefits of charter revenue and access to the entire SkyShare fleet.

When asked about perceived competition becoming customers as SkyShare acquires more FBOs, VP Patricia Reed was quick to point out, “Since we fill a different niche in the marketplace than these respected charter membership programs, we see this as a win-win relationship. Our goal is simple: Flight Simplified. This centers on premium, personal customer experiences. Aviation is a brother/sisterhood. When we help these programs give their members ‘wow experiences,’ we’re confident they will view us as an asset to their business model, especially when their customers can relax and unwind in our new FBO.”

Shell Aviation will continue to be the exclusive provider of fuel for CB SkyShare. Speaking on their partnership, Director of West Coast Sales & Development Mick Kendall said, “Cory and his team at CB SkyShare have a very unique vision and special culture and we’re thrilled to watch them grow. Their FBOs have hundreds of five-star reviews for a reason, and we have every reason to expect that their growing presence in California will accelerate mindshare in the West about the SkyShare experience.”

Grayson Battema, the FBO’s new Manager and a fellow pilot added, “When you have the freedom to fly your own PC-12 or CJ2 and/or own a share in one of ours, having brick-and-mortar presences across the Western U.S. allows us to form face-to-face relationships with like-minded companies, families, and communities who share our immense passion for aviation.”

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