2023届高考英语三轮复习·冲刺押题·外刊阅读理解训练 (34)

2023届高考英语三轮复习·冲刺押题 外刊阅读理解训练34 ——改编自Private jet business soars despite commercial airline revival 【文章】 The coronavirus pandemic has led to a significant increase in the use of private jets, and this trend shows no signs of slowing down. Despite the reopening of commercial airlines and the rising costs of chartering private planes, WingX, an aviation data company, found that global flights on business aircraft rose by 10% in 2022 compared to the previous year and 14% higher than before the pandemic in 2019. The demand for private jets has been "record-breaking" for the past two years, according to WingX CEO Richard Koe. The rise in demand for private jet bookings began in 2020 as wealthy individuals and business travelers sought to avoid crowds and Covid-19 restrictions on commercial flights. Additionally, cutbacks to services at smaller airports and a pilot shortage have attracted more private flyers. US private jet companies continued to report strong bookings throughout last year, with Flexjet reporting that the holiday season was its busiest in history and EvoJets stating that flyers rushed to secure limited aircraft for the holidays. Private jet charter Wheels Up saw a 39% increase in revenue year-over-year, with some members fully transitioning to flying private due to reduced or limited commercial service, according to CEO Kenny Dichter. Although concerns about the far higher rates of carbon emissions per passenger than commercial aircraft or trains exist, these have not deterred private jet flyers. Jeffrey Alecci, a financial adviser from New Jersey who flew with his wife and two 75-pound dogs to Florida for the holidays, cited convenience as one reason for choosing private travel. However, a potential plateau in the private jet boom looms as jet fuel and other costs increase. For example, hourly prices for prepaid private jet rentals rose 21% to an average of $11,748 from December 2021 to December 2022, according to advisory service Private Jet Card Compari