ACJ study shows that more than one-third of the wealthiest 500 billionaires are based in the US

Analysis of industry data by Airbus Corporate Jets (ACJ) shows more than one-third of the world’s wealthiest 500 billionaires are US-based - but they account for over two-fifths of the total wealth of this group.

The data shows that 35% of the world’s 500 wealthiest billionaires built their fortunes in the US, holding 43% of the group’s total wealth.

The 177 US-based billionaires that make up some of the 500 most affluent in the world are worth $3.38tr compared with $7.72tr for the group.

The average wealth of US billionaires is around $18.91bn, which is 40% higher - or $5.37bn - than the average wealth of a non-US billionaire in the top 500 at $13.54bn.

US billionaires are most likely to have earned their money in technology, accounting for 21% of the US billionaires in the top 500 globally, followed by finance at 19%. Energy, retail, media and telecoms, and consumer goods were also highly represented.

ACJ’s analysis shows that between January 1 and April 25, 2022, 36% of US-based billionaires saw their wealth grow or stay the same, while nearly two-thirds (64%) saw their wealth shrink. The average gain was $1.39bn, while the average loss was $3.32bn.

Seven of the ten wealthiest individuals in the world are based in the US, where the business aviation market is experiencing a solid recovery. There were just over 2 million business aircraft departures in the US in the first six months of this year, which was 15% higher than the same period in 2019, before the pandemic.

“As the world’s biggest economy, the US is a financial powerhouse, and that is reflected in the number of US billionaires and their share of total wealth compared with the rest of the world,” said Sean McGeough, VP Commercial ACJ for North America.

“The number of billionaires in the US is a factor in the strength of the recovery in the global business aviation market, particularly in the US, where departures and the use of private jets are increasing,” McGeough added. “We are well positioned to capitalize on growth in the large and ultra-long-range business aviation market - especially with our recent launch of the ACJ TwoTwenty, which created a whole new market segment - The Xtra Large Bizjet. The ACJ TwoTwenty gives companies a real competitive advantage in attracting executives requiring their own space, which is particularly important given the growing role of senior executives in the global workforce.”

ACJ TwoTwenty

Launched in 2020, the ACJ TwoTwenty offers unbeatable economics and unrivaled reliability at the same price as ultra-long-range (ULR) business jets. It occupies the same parking footprint as competitive ULR jets and can take off from the same airports, but its operating costs are one-third less. It also is the quietest and most eco-friendly aircraft in its category.

ACJ is working as part of the global Airbus family to optimize its environmental performance, reduce noise and create responsible solutions that support both its sustainability ambitions and customers’ goals.

The ACJ TwoTwenty, thanks to its advanced design and the most efficient engines of any large business jet, is the quietest aircraft in the LR/ULR marketplace, delivering an 18-decibel noise margin versus current regulations and up to 20% lower fuel burn versus previous generation aircraft.

As with all ACJ aircraft, the ACJ TwoTwenty is certified to fly with a 50% blend of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). The goal is to achieve 100% SAF certification by 2030.

More than 210 Airbus corporate jets are in service worldwide, flying on every continent, including Antarctica.

BlueSky Business Aviation News | 8th September 2022 | Issue #668