Insights da Conferência NBAA Schedulers & Dispatchers (SDC2025) -

Aircraft Charter / Insights da Conferência NBAA Schedulers & Dispatchers (SDC2025)

The Flapper team was present at this year’s edition of the NBAA Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference (SDC2025), one of the most relevant events in global executive aviation. The meeting brought together operators, brokers, managers and suppliers to discuss the transformations and opportunities that shape the charter flight market — a sector that continues to evolve rapidly in the face of new demands, emerging technologies and increasingly fierce competition.

Below, we highlight the key learnings from the conference and analyze how the future of air mobility involves innovation, operational efficiency and, above all, solid relationships.

Continuous Growth of the Charter Market

The numbers speak for themselves: between 2023 and 2024, flight requests increased by 10%. Compared to pre-pandemic levels, demand has tripled. This sustained growth proves the consolidation of charter as a viable and desirable alternative to traditional commercial aviation — especially among passengers who value flexibility, exclusivity and agility.

The technical knowledge and experience of brokers have never been more important. As new operators and management companies enter the market, the dispute between floating fleets and fixed-based operators also grows, driving a new competitive dynamic in the sector.

Changing Customer Expectations

The passenger profile has changed — and so have their expectations. The search for prices for one-way flights has been driving adoption of floating fleets, which offer greater operational flexibility. Less rigid cancellations and more elastic takeoff windows are becoming true competitive differentiators. The contemporary customer values the freedom to adjust their programming without suffering penalties, something that requires greater agility and responsiveness from operators.

A New Generation of Owners

During the pandemic, many new owners entered the business aviation world. As a result, new demands have emerged from aircraft owners — who today expect more transparency, detailed reports and creative solutions from managers.

Triple net leasing programs, pilot pools (shared crew banks) and programmatic guarantees emerge as alternatives for operators who want to stand out. Furthermore, the 20% to 30% drop in aircraft value relative to charter rates over the past two years has increased pressure for financial returns, leading many owners to consider more active management models or even transfer ownership of aircraft to the operators themselves.

Operational Efficiency: A Strategic Necessity

The stability (or decline) in charter rates contrasts with the increase in operating costs. In this scenario, efficiency is not just a differentiator — it is a requirement. Many operators face thin margins, especially those whose clients are highly leveraged and rely on charter as their main source of revenue.

Operational coordination and the ability to offer competitive prices, without compromising quality, are essential conditions for survival in the current market.

Relationships Remain Essential

Despite advances in price transparency and digital channels, the foundation of the sector continues to be building trusting relationships. Successful negotiations still depend, to a large extent, on reputation, clarity in communication and the ability to deliver on promises. Brokers and traders face increasing pressure to deliver consistent results, which reinforces the importance of maintaining strong ties with clients, traders and suppliers.

The Future of Air Mobility: eVTOLs and Vertiports

The next revolution in business aviation could come from the sky — literally. With the advancement of eVTOLs (electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles), the need to develop an urban infrastructure compatible with this new reality also grows. No current helipad is prepared to support the expected demand. It will be necessary to invest in vertiports with capacity for multiple simultaneous operations and rapid battery charging stations.

Innovative projects are already underway, such as the San Francisco Bay vertiports and the conversion of parking lots into urban air mobility hubs in South Florida.

Conclusion

The charter flight market is experiencing a moment of profound transformation. Growth in demand, evolving customer and owner expectations, the need for operational efficiency and the emergence of new technologies are redesigning the industry.

Amid so many changes, one thing remains unchanged: the value of human connections. More than ever, success in chartering depends on the combination of innovation and relationships. And it is at this intersection that the future of executive aviation is built.

Why Flapper?

Launched in 2016, Flapper is a global business aviation platform that connects customers to a fleet of more than 3,000 certified aircraft, ready for charter and purchase. The company’s fractional ownership program offers access to state-of-the-art jets, which can be booked through the industry’s most advanced mobile app.

With headquarters in Brazil and Portugal and local offices in strategic cities around the world, the company has transported more than 30 thousand passengers, with impeccable safety levels. Recognized for its operational excellence, Flapper has seals from the renowned certification bodies ARGUS and Wyvern. The company is betting on the future of sustainable aviation, investing in sustainable fuels and electric aviation to transform the sector.