Honda Motor : pitches new light jet model as private travel soars

LAS VEGAS (Reuters) - Honda Aircraft Co on Tuesday rolled out plans for a new light business jet that can fly non-stop across the United States, as the company looks to tap into skyrocketing demand for private travel.

The plane would seat up to 11 and offer up to 20% better fuel efficiency than other jets in the category, the company said. Honda Aircraft unveiled the new design at the National Business Aviation Association show in Las Vegas, the industry's largest business jet show. It did not guarantee that the plane would be produced or offer a timeline for taking orders

Honda Aircraft, a subsidiary of Japan's Honda Motor Co Ltd, currently produces a six-seater HondaJet.

Honda's plans come as business aviation traffic is soaring above pre-pandemic levels, with some corporate jet operators having to refuse new clients. Due to COVID-19 wealthy travelers see flying private in smaller groups as safer and more convenient than traveling commercial.

(Reporting by Allison Lampert in Las Vegas; Editing by Lisa Shumaker and David Gregorio)