Skyfirst CEO Olivier Perdriel on Private Aviation Resilience Amid Geopolitical Turmoil

Olivier Perdriel, the CEO of Skyfirst, believes that the private aviation sector is thriving, even with challenges in the global travel scene at the start of 2026. In a chat with Tom Edwards at Monocle's office in Paris, he mentioned that rising tensions between the US, Israel, and Iran have disrupted commercial flights but have actually boosted the need for private jets, especially during major events like the Monaco Grand Prix and FIFA World Cup. Skyfirst, founded after the 2008 financial crisis, operates a fleet that includes Dassault Falcon 7Xs, 8Xs, and Bombardier Global Express aircraft. Perdriel emphasized the importance of flexibility for their CEO clients and pointed out the changing insurance requirements as an operational challenge. The US market is doing well, with manufacturers' orders booked for the next two years, showcasing the value of personal connections in the service industry.